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).
Analysis of body weights for the 3 1/2 Litre Bentley, comparing different coachwork designs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 88\3\ scan0029 | |
| Date | 12th October 1933 | |
| To Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} [REDACTED] from [REDACTED] Copy to E.W.H. Mr. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} [REDACTED] CLH. X255. LID{A. J. Lidsey} See me # AV2/HL.12.10.33. ANALYSIS OF BODY WEIGHTS - 3 1/2- LITRE BENTLEY. So far we have been able to weigh only 3 Trials Cars, each representing one of our proposed standardised types of coachwork. We do not wish to cause unnecessary excitement prematurely, but the attached sheet comparing the weights of the coachwork on these Trials Cars with corresponding coachwork on the comparatively similar Experimental Cars leads us to fear a general increase in the weight of coachwork when we get into production. In the case of the Trials Saloon, there is apparently no real change in the body weights between the Experimental and the Trials. In the case of the Coupé, which was considerably modified to improve the appearance of the car when the hood is folded back, there is an increase in weight of 1 1/4 cwts. We are in direct sympathy with these improvements, but we feel that we will have to make a very strong effort to do them for less weight. This car is apparently 1 cwt. heavier than the Saloon. In the case of the open car, the Experimental body was by Messrs. Park Ward & Co., and the Trials body by Messrs. Vanden Plas. Here we have an increase of 1 1/4 cwts. in the coachwork, which can only be due to either heavier construction or the rather heavy luggage grid at the rear boot. We are wondering whether we were wise in accepting this Vanden Plas patent luggage grid and from our experience in selling Bentley Cars we may learn that such ample luggage accommodation is not required on an open car of this type and that the ordinary boot as fitted to the Experimental car would suffice. If the open car weight gets up to that of the closed a lot of the beauty of the open car is lost. EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} PROL. | ||