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).
Proposed modifications for the 'Bentley 50' to achieve material cost savings, based on the Bentley III specification.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 163\4\ img038 | |
| Date | 1st December 1937 | |
| Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Grys. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Hives. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /B.W.C. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /A.F.S. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /P.J.W. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Std. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Swdl. {Len H. Swindell} Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /H.C. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /P.D.B. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Sykes. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /S.G.D. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /C.E. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /T.E.B. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /M.Wks. 6010. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 3/R.1.12.37. BENTLEY 50 MATERIAL COSTS. In order that an intelligent approximation may be made by all concerned as to the amount of saving which is likely to be achieved on material costs, it is necessary to clarify the specification of the car. Briefly, we expect this to be as follows:- Bentley III specification with the follow-ing modifications:- (1) Radiator grille will be of the B.III type but probably altered somewhat in shape. (2) A front bumper bar will be necessary, but not of the stabilising type. (3) Front brakes may or may not be hydraulically operated, if they are not they will be exactly the same as B.III. (4) Brake drums can be of the cast iron type cast directly on to the back plates. (5) The engine unit will have a 3¼" bore but need not necessarily have two carburetters or two coils. (6) The electrical equipment will be divided between Lucas, Delco, and ourselves. (7) The gearbox will be of the small type without centre bearing now being drawn out by Hardy. (8) The steering will be as on B.III except that we expect the mixture control to be removed from the column and there will be no hand ignition control. (9) Dashboard will be of pressed steel and probably an integral part of the body. (10) The exhaust system will not necessarily be of the highly efficient type which we hope to get on B.III. | ||