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).
Modifications to the front appearance of a Bentley, focusing on the radiator and body styling.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\4\ 04-page284 | |
| Date | 22th May 1933 | |
| TO HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FROM EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} X4153 EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}3/22.5.33. copy to S.Worr-S. RE FRONT APPEARANCE. BENTLEY. You will have received N.Sch. 3737 and 3739, showing a modified shape of radiator shell with tapered sides and a curved base, the angle of the "V" having also been sharpened. We think that this will go a long way to improve and modernise the appearance. We understand that this is to be put on the next car, the open sports. I came to Derby as arranged last Thursday and discussed with Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} & E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} the criticisms which were made of the car. I was agreed that the modified radiator already sent to you might do much to overcome the criticisms as far as the radiator is concerned. The exposed and bare appearance of the front is largely due to the use of the flared wings and it was for this reason that Sales have ceased to use them. We agree that it would be a good move to clean up the front apron and shall send to you in a few days a scheme showing the wings carried over inside the front horns of the frame, and the front chassis lowered out of sight below the apron which will be curved. This can be used with the revised radiator. There is some feeling that the radiator should have a sloping face, and this it can have if radiator shutters are abandoned. The slope of this face should be the same as the slope of the windscreen which is about 13 degrees, on the existing cars. We shall send you a scheme for a modified shell for the radiator which will be of this type after the other schemes have been completed. We feel that this is a radical change in appearance departing widely from that accepted as Bentley and it is bound to look very American, as all of their latest cars have adopted a sloping "V" shell with a top very like the Bentley. For this reason we may think it desirable to retain the orthodox Bentley shape as given by the improvements of N.Sch.3737-9. I feel personally that we should move by easy stages developing what we have got until we achieve a good and distinctive design, rather than to break of at this rather late hour into something entirely new. RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} LID{A. J. Lidsey} [Illegible signature] | ||