Faulty Simms magnetic petrol gauges which show 'EMPTY' with two gallons remaining, a serious issue for cars in France due to the 'Octroi' tax system.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 75\2\ scan0146 | |
| Date | 23th June 1920 | |
| Order. Office. (Ms) c. Da. {Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} X.4159. ByT/H. 23.6.20. X.4159. RE SIMMS MAGNETIC PETROL GAUGES. We find that the Petrol Gauges which are being supplied by Messrs Simms for our Tanks are altogether wrong. The trouble is a serious one, namely, that there is two gallons still in the tank available, when the Petrol Gauge registers "EMPTY" and that since the gauges in question have been invariably ordered for cars going to France, where the "Octroi" system is in force in every town, for which reason the gauge was added, so that without releasing the pressure, the amount of petrol could be read off, If a check was made, it would be found that the gauges were wrong, and the readings of same would not only be discredited, but the owner would probably become liable for apparently attempting to avoid the duty of the country. We have taken the matter up with Da {Bernard Day - Chassis Design} , and he informs us that in arranging for the gauge to be fixed, he submitted a drawing of our tank. This being so, Messrs. Simms must have dealt very carelessly with the whole question, as the marking of the gauge was the one point raised when it was considered that it might possibly be fitted. We apparently should always have order No.2. Upright Gauge, correctly marked for Rolls-Royce Tanks. Will you kindly take the matter Contd. | ||
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).