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).
The design and costings for the Bentley V rear number plate.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\4\ scan0272 | |
| Date | 7th July 1939 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 1259 BY.3/G.7.7.39. BENTLEY V.{VIENNA} REAR NUMBER PLATE. The question of the rear number plate when discussed previously was confused by the idea that a built-in number plate could not be made to conform to the Police regulations with a rear door to the boot, which acted as a luggage grid when down. The regulations however, make it clear that if the plate is visible at a certain distance when the door is down, the rear number plate is acceptable. We have arranged a plate to meet this requirement. The only other question was cost. I have therefore had complete tool costs taken out, with costs for pieces as well, which work out as follows :- (a). Cornercroft Rear Combined Plate. Plate 19. 6d. Pressing 2. 6½d.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} Fitting 7. 6d. Piping. 9d. Tools £55. _______ 30. 3½d.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} (b). Dual Wing Tail Lamps and Cast Plate, with separate reverse lamp. Two cast brackets. RR. pieces. 3/- each. 6. 0. Two Lucas Stop Tail Lamps. 2/6d. " 5. 0. Reversing Lamp and Fitting. 22. 6d. Tail Lamp Fitting. 7. 9d. _______ 41. 3d. You will see from the actual position that allowing for building 500 cars only the tool cost is an additional 2/6d. which makes a very distinct saving in the favour of the built-in number plate, which I therefore propose to go ahead with. | ||