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).
Internal memorandum regarding an investigation into two separate car fires on different chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\6\ 06-page157 | |
| Date | 1st May 1934 | |
| S/W. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}...from C. re Chassis No. B.99.AE...E.Bering,Esq. You will have received a copy of Hb{C. E. Harcombe}'s report in regard to this car having caught fire. The car has been moved to the Bentley Service Station and JLE.{J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager} has examined it today with a view to seeing whether there is any apparent cause for the fire, but he can find no cause. It has, however, been damaged in such a way that we are asking Mr. Bering as soon as he can get the Insurance Co's permission, to send the car to you to do the necessary work. We understand it is not badly damaged, fortunately, as they were able to get the fire out with extinguishers fairly quickly. This is the second instance, strangely enough we have had in the last few days, the other one being B.75.AE. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} received a coil which showed signs of burning, and later received some high tension wires. We have now heard from H.M. Bentleys, who sent this coil to us for replacement or repair, that a similar occurrence took place, viz. that when the owner switched on, the carburettor apparently flooded and the engine caught fire. We do not know whether this is a coincidence or whether there is some reason for it, but apparently it is a matter that requires investigation and we shall be glad to have your opinion in due course. C. | ||