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).
Letter to coachbuilder Park Ward & Co. detailing modifications and requirements for two new Bentley 'B' car bodies.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 84\1\ scan0074 | |
| Date | 7th February 1933 | |
| HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X293 LID{A. J. Lidsey} ATTENTION OF MR. W. PARK. EVI/7.2.33. Messrs Park Ward & Co. Ltd., 473, High Road, Willesden. N.W.10. Dear Sirs, RE BODIES FOR BENTLEY "B". As the result of trials on the first Bentley "B" car it has been decided to build two more cars substantially like the mock-up chassis for which you modified the saloon body. We are sending you herewith the necessary drawings and specifications for the two bodies and would be glad if you would send to Sales a quotation. The jigs which we bought from you will be returned to you as soon as the order is placed. They will need to be modified in places. We shall need the Saloon by March 18th. 1933. and the Coupe by the end of that month. THE CHASSIS. This is substantially the same as on L.e.C.3208. to which you worked when modifying the first saloon body. You will notice, however, that we have moved the brake roped out of the way of the vents for the feet of the rear passengers. The steering wheel position and the column angle has been altered. SPORTS SALOON. The design of this body is outwardly the same as the one which you have already built but there are several important dimensional changes. The steering wheel having been moved back approx. 2.0.0ins. has caused the front seat to go back about that amount, and the screen pillar as followed it to some extent. We have got to regain the lost room in the rear seat and we have done this by moving the rear squab back and thinning it and by thinning the squab of the sliding seats. On the first car it was thought that the seats were all too luxurious for the sporting car. On the first car the cushions were too high. We must have on this body the head-room over the cushions which we call for. If this mean pneumatic cushions and squabs we are prepared to have them, but we would rather not do so. We would be glad if you would at once start to set out a new full size drawing and inform the writer as soon as it is completed. | ||