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).
Production of special aero-dynamic bodies for Bentley V cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 97\3\ scan0056 | |
| Date | 16th February 1939 | |
| SECRET. w/s. (Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}). [crossed out] o.{Mr Oldham} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [crossed out] c. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 400c. BY.10/G.16.2.39. BENTLEY V.{VIENNA} SPECIAL AERO-DYNAMIC BODIES. Referring to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}9/E.10.2.39. the reason for ordering the two bodies was to have suitable bodies for both English and French conditions available at the two Motor Shows. My impression was that we agreed at the Conference that the above position represented what we had to face, and personally I feel certain that a body with French equipment as a demonstration car is essential, as one expects to sell this type of body in France and on the Continent in preference to the more usual exhibited in this country. In regard to the question of producing this type of body in this country, I see little prospect of success in this direction in regard to both form and weight reduction, unless it is strictly controlled by ourselves in conjunction with somebody who has imagination and is determined to achieve what we require. The only man that I know of in the business with these qualifications is Mr. Ward, and I am inclined to think that by the time we require bodies of this type making the production of the normal body used in this country by Park Wards will have been brought to such a stage that Mr. Wardwill not have to unduly interest himself in the actual making of the parts. He has, of course, had a fair amount of leeway to make up, but they are arriving at a point where the ordinary production staff at Park Wards can produce Wraiths, and that will be equally true in about nine months' time of Bentley V bodies, as these again are along the lines of their usual production. If we sell at the next Show complete cars of this type, then I feel certain that the way to handle the urgent orders would be to place an order for a definite number of bodies with either Pourtout or Vanvooren or both, as the rate of exchange would enable us to have such bodies produced and delivered to this country at a price which will enable us to sell to customers at a reasonable figure. P.S. Since dictating the above, I have received a letter from M.Paulin and Sr. suggesting that it would be a mistake to give an order to M.Pourtout. By [handwritten signature] BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||