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 development of the Bentley Big Bore Engine, future programmes, and body considerations.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 30\1\ Scan238 | |
| Date | 21th October 1935 | |
| - 5 - BENTLEY Big Bore Engine This car has now completed 10,000 miles in France and is under examination. It was generally agreed that this had been sufficiently satisfactory to be put into production as soon as possible. Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} informed the Meeting that deliveries to S. could commence 12 weeks after instructions to proceed issued from the Drawing Office. We are now awaiting final word on this as to when these instructions will be issued, and at what point we can expect the chassis with big bore engine instead of the present one. Future Programmes This was discussed at some length. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} was anxious to establish the intermediate programme between to-day and chassis having the new engine and different suspension. Attention is being given to the following intermediate developments :- Independently mounted radiator and wings; Wider dash; More body space ( in this connection W. will consider pushing the engine forward 3" and moving the cross member, which limits the length of bodywork, 1½" thereby giving a little extra room in the body but not enough to enable a division to be inserted, which would make the bodywork much heavier. Built-in jacks; Easier entrance to offside It was also agreed that Experimental should proceed with supercharger experiments and manufacture certain parts to enable this to be done. It was also decided to eliminate the cutout, but that if anyone wants it afterwards he could have it at an extra cost. Van Vooren Body Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} stressed the importance of considering this in view of its satisfactory behaviour on the flexible Bentley chassis, and S. will proceed with consideration of the Van Vooren type of flexible body as an alternative to our present standard. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} reported that the all-steel Park Ward body had so far given very good results. | ||