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).
Meeting minutes and status update on the development of the 3½-Litre Bentley chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 30\2\ Scan218 | |
| Date | 4th May 1933 | |
| CHASSIS. MINUTE 4. (Cont'd) 3½-LITRE BENTLEY. -3- Wors/GR.{George Ratcliffe}4.5.33. LATEST POSITION AT 4.5.33. Instrument Patch. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} approved drawing R.R. Sch.355. Incorporated on the 2nd Bentley chassis. See RR/HP.4.5.33. "Bentley Instrument Patches" re alterations desirable to the design of patches for Bentley No.3. Circlip. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} states he could put up the strength of the circlip and this should cure the trouble. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} said he would try out buttons in the ends of the piston pins. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} states that it has now been decided that all future engines shall have buttons in the ends of the piston pins. These are being proved out on the test engines and on the cars. Higher Axle Ratio. 3 different ratios to be in hand. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} states "We have available for the Bentley car 3 axle ratios. We have decided to instruct two alternative ratios although we anticipate more than 90% of the cars will have the standard ratio as used on Bentley 1." Intake Silencer. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} states "Tests with this are in progress." Engine Finish. Samples of various finishes to be submitted for Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}'s inspection. The next Bentley unit which is being built up has a modified finish. (Will Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} please advise us which chassis will have this modified finish ?) Cutout. Decided to fit cutout of the Silver Ghost type, but steps to be taken to keep fumes from entering body, probably by the use of a short tail pipe. (15 chassis to be ready end of July or early August; these are in addition to 1st Exp. chassis.) This was fitted to the 1st Bentley chassis. General position. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}states 29.4.33. "The 1st car has returned from France and except for the known failures, the car is in very good condition. The 2nd car is on test and we have the engine unit for number three car on test. In 10 or 14 days No.3 car should be completed. Tests are being carried out on the dynamometer in connection with the axle failure, also parts have been put in hand for a modified design for strengthening the axle." | ||