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).
Comparative popularity and design strategy for four and six-light car bodies for the Bentley 50 venture.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 117\1\ scan0216 | |
| Date | 5th August 1938 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. C. c. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} c. Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} COMPARATIVE POPULARITY OF FOUR AND SIX-LIGHT BODIES. Referring to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}8/D.29.7.38 I agree that it would be a mistake when launching Bentley 50 venture to encumber it with any proposal which would mean educating the public to by a particular form of body. I had not appreciated that the six-light form of body was practically universal, but from watching cars in this area it is clear that the six-light does predominate practically to the exclusion of all others, except where the Sports Saloon is concerned. I will certainly take an opportunity of looking round the car park in London the next time I am up there as you suggest, but my experience down here certainly confirms your views. I appreciate fully that any increase in business which we acquire as a result of the launching of Bentley 50 will be a direct inroad upon other Company's sales, and as such it is evident that the customers in question would expect a six-light body similar in general appearance to what they had already in use. The foregoing therefore means that for any body scheme we project in connection with B.50 will undoubtedly have to be a six-light body with a possibility of an occasionally 4-light scheme being produced from it if demanded instead of the other way round as originally conceived by myself. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} By | ||