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).
Design and development updates for the B.2 car, covering the gearbox, bodywork, accommodation, and radiator.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\4\ 04-page017 | |
| Date | 6th January 1932 | |
| Sev from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} C. WOT. C. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} HPy. X4553 E1/AD6.1.32. RE : B.2. CAR. We are starting on the B.2. gearbox today or tomorrow as soon as Hdy.{William Hardy} has completed the work on hand - controlled dampers. We are expecting to use the Peregrine gearbox shortened with servo drive deleted and at the moment it does not look as if there will be much reduction in length. Regarding the question of bodywork, Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} is finishing off the drawings of the B.2. sports saloon and will send them by passenger train for you to receive them tomorrow afternoon. We have been into the question of the accommodation provided in the Plus Ultra Riley Monaco model and find that while we can lengthen our own body without placing the rear seat too near the back axle, we cannot equal the figures given in the Riley catalogue. We are inclined to doubt the accuracy and utility of these figures as by comparison with a previous catalogue they have been so enormously increased without any change in the wheelbase of the car. The obvious thing to do is to measure up an actual sample but as there are none available in this district, perhaps it could be arranged for Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} to do this in London? It will be seen what we are proposing on the B.2. The rear leg room has been made 2" longer than on R's latest 20. by taking full advantage of the well under front seat, but we have endeavoured not to add too much to the length of the body. With regard to the radiator, I have told Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} he ought to have an actual sample of the Bentley instead of trying to work to the drawings alone, and understand he has communicated with you about this point. There is a lot of B.2. design and some other urgent work to be done in the frame section and Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} could do with some help on this job. I find that Draper left CamachaHenry Royce's office in West Wittering permanently for Derby at Christmas and that the question of replacing him was indefinitely postponed. I will see Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} about another man. | ||