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).
Minutes from a chassis conference discussing the Bentley III model, its components, material release, and body design.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\2\ scan0268 | |
| Date | 22th July 1938 | |
| 1381 BY.6/B.22.7.38. CHASSIS CONFERENCE 22.7.38. Present :- Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Pm. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} Rby/Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/Mc.C. BENTLEY III. The car for France would be available for French run before the end of September. It is fitted with the Semi-floating Axle and disc wheels, which, if we can get in sufficient test mileage in the time available, successfully, will be used on Bentley III production from the start. FINALISED FOR MATERIAL. Generally, the material will be released for production purposes by March 1939, but in the case of the frame, this will have to be cleared by the end of November 1938. The chassis can, in the main, be released for costing purposes within the next six weeks, the only doubtful parts at present being certain parts in the gear box. We have not established a real value between present Wraith box and Bentley III (universal) box in regard to quietness. The Experimental Dept. require six cars in all. Five for their own development purposes and one for Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}, as soon as possible. The general design of the Bentley III body is to be no running boards but with a correct development of the rear end of the front wing to prevent small stones bombarding the rear wing. Contd. | ||