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 deferral of the Bentley III bonnet louvres and a review of the Bentley 50 mock-up, including criticisms, costs, and visibility.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\2\ scan0209 | |
| Date | 11th May 1950 | |
| BENTLEY III -5- 3. New Design of Bonnet Louvres This is deferred by reason of more important work. BENTLEY 50 1. 1-B-50 Mock-up at Park Ward's. The criticisms summarised by Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} were gone through and modifications will be made in conformity with these criticisms. These affect the reinstatement of a radiator cap; increasing the width of the body over the back seat to 56" elbow room, which will help in removing the ogee curves at scuttle sides; the retention of the petrol filler in the wing if possible; the lengthening of the base of the back panel; alteration to mouldings, handles to pass through mouldings if possible; alteration to position of radio and heater; view ahead for occupants of the back seat to be kept under review to make it as satisfactory as possible. 2. Costs. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} emphasized the importance of an early report being available on costs of this model, making it clear that unless these were kept within certain limits it would be useless to go into production with the car at all. RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} remarked that on information at present available the cost of the chassis could be not less than £499. That sum was not available to be set aside for the chassis having regard to the ultimate price at which the car could need to be sold, i.e. about £950. retail. It was instructed that EY, Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} and RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} should get together on this very important question and issue a report of their deliberations. 3. Visibility Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} pointed out that so far as the visibility of the road ahead of the car is concerned and the effect of | ||