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 Bentley radiator design, its similarity to other cars, and the potential for a distinctive mascot.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\6\ 06-page026 | |
| Date | 26th August 1933 | |
| - 2 - E.3/HP.26.8.33. may foul the brake levers on the front axle, and necessitate moving the radiator forward half an inch. We are not worrying about this at the moment, but will deal with it when we know more. With regard to the question of lack of distinction in the appearance of the radiator, we are bound to admit that there is a great similarity to the Alvis Crested Eagle in the front view, but in the side view the Bentley, particularly the second design which has been standardized is much deeper sideways. We feel that it would be very difficult to make any alteration to the tank to make it radically different from all other makes without making some retrograde step rendering it difficult to match up the body lines with those of the radiator and bonnet. Our Bentley radiator design is based on the last one produced by the Bentley Co. namely the 4 litre which was made with higher shoulders than the earlier Bentley models, especially to overcome some of these difficulties. We might possibly raise the centre of the tank so as to increase the depth at this point above the matrix. This would mean also raising the top hinge of the bonnet and would have to be looked into very carefully to avoid any undue interference with the view of the road from the driver's seat. Personally I feel that some of the objections raised on this score could be overcome by fitting the radiator cap with a distinctive mascot. We believe that at one time it was possible that Mr Sykes was commissioned to produce such a mascot for the Bentley, but nothing has since been heard of the matter. We feel that this question of a mascot should be followed up as the public will very likely expect something of this sort in the same way as the mascot used on the Rolls-Royce cars has been regarded as representing the characteristics of the car. Our choice in this respect is likely to be somewhat limited in avoiding using anything like those already in use, but we have some suggestions to offer, and we feel that something of a suitable nature could be produced embodying in it the character of the car. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||