From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Outlining the 'Rationalised Chassis Programme' for Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\2\ scan0137 | |
| Date | 17th March 1939 | |
| 1260. c. Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} DA. {Bernard Day - Chassis Design} 15/G.17.3.39. RE: RATIONALISED CHASSIS PROGRAMME. As requested by Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} we have set out the range of Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars which form the Rationalised Programme - see FD. {Frank Dodd - Bodies} 392 herewith. Dealing alone with major units, the whole range of cars can be covered by the following units :- (1). Three lengths of frame. (2). One front suspension with two yoke pieces, giving two heights of car. (3). Three sets of body dies for the standard bodies, with two specialised body designs, (Corniche and Cresta) produced in small batches. (4). One Bentley radiator, with slightly modified shell to suit different appearances. Three R.R. radiator shirts, with two 'internals' one of which is the Bentley. (5). Two engines, of 6 and 8 cylinders. (6). Two petrol tanks. (7). Two rear axles, the smaller giving tracks of 59 or 59.5 with 6.5 or 7.0 tyres respectively and the larger 61.000 with 7.0 tyres. As a guide to what the cars are we would explain the following :- Bentley 5 - 'Clipper' is the standard B.5. Bentley 'Comet' is B.38 - as first seen in 11-B.5. Bentley 'Corniche' is the Paulin body on B.5, and will appear as 14-B-5. Bentley 'Cresta' is the 8 cylinder engine in B.50 chassis with an elongated Bentley body and will appear in 4-B-50. RR. 'Silver Ripple' is the B.5 with a RR. radiator. RR. 'Silver Dawn' is the B.50 with a RR. radiator. RR. 'Silver Wraith' is already understood, and is first to appear in 30.G.7. We also send herewith FD. {Frank Dodd - Bodies} 391 shewing a RR. radiator applied to the final production coachwork for B.50, as seen in the mockup. | ||