The Bentley V programme covering the chassis, bodies, and dimensions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\2\ scan0315 | |
| Date | 24th November 1938 | |
| - 4 - BENTLEY V. {VIENNA} 1. Programme (cont) except the gearbox. It was decided therefore to release material for 50 of these chassis in accordance with RHC {R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} 's recommendations. It is very necessary that efforts should be made to get the universal gearbox on B.V. by reason of the saving in weight and money. A general release of material for "M" series should be given in February next. In connection withthis release of chassis it should be borne in mind that three clear months should be arranged previously in connection with coachwork for them. 2. Bodies Of the four remaining bodies to complete the first six the fifth is about to be ordered to be ready for delivery by the end ofFebruary, and the ordering of the sixth,which is to be a prototype, is to be left to BY, the design to be subject to Sg {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} 's approval. Sg {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} recommends for the notice of all concerned-that, now the spare wheel is carried at the side, the lid {A. J. Lidsey} of the boot should open flat and be suitable for carrying luggage in addition to what goes into the boot. This is to be a regular feature of standard Bentley bodies. Rml/R14.11.38 was next dealt with, and itpoints out that in view of the greater rigidity of the frame it should be possible to reduce the weight of the bodies. This matter is to receive special attention by BY, in his negotiations with the Coachbuilders. 3. Overall Height. It transpires that why 8-B-V looked so high is because there was 3/4" of packing under this body. There is ctually only 1/2" more height in the B.V. than in the Bentley II under full load conditions. 4. Height of Rear Floor. From figures provided it would appear that the floor of the rear compartment in B.V. will only be 1/2" higher than that of the Jaguar, which was considered generally satisfactory. | ||
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).