Ransome and Marles

[Tony Press]

Been pondering this question myself in recent days and would love to hear a convincing answer.
Yes, may have been a contemporary standard.
Presumably not for (engine) packaging reasons as the earlier front bearings were full width (1 5/8").

I haven't researched but I am not sure that other auto builders required these 'narrow outer ring ' bearings.

Although WO Bentley used some very special double row bearings in the the differentials of his cars