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).
Discussion concerning headlight dimmers and side lamp placement for the American market, prompted by customer complaints and local parking laws.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 61a\1\ scan0102 | |
| Date | 3rd March 1921 | |
| X4291 To CJ. from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}3/LG3.3.21. X4291 RE. HEADLIGHT DIMMERS. With reference to your CJ/Py5/H2.3.21/157. This matter was discussed whilst I was in Springfield. The Sales Department in U.S.A. objected to the method of fixing the side lamps on to the wings. They complained that lamps on the wings spoilt the appearance of the car. It was considered their complaint was reasonable, as in England quite a number of customers object to the appearance of side lamps on the wings. The laws in some towns in America demand that when a car is "parked" after dark, the front of the car must be illuminated, this means that if the side lamps cannot be fitted to the wings, the head lamps must be left lighted. One could not leave the car with the lamps left on full, firstly, because of the waste of current, secondly, because of the glare. This means that R-R cars in America should have a dimming arrangement on their head lamps. We have no particulars of such an arrangement but it is possible to buy, in America, a switch for dimming the lights. The reason we do not think it necessary to send drawings of the wing lamp as requested by Mr. Olley, is because from later information, we do not think they want it. If, however, it is considered that particulars of a lamp should be sent, we would recommend that we buy a sample lamp from Messrs. Lucas and send it to Springfield. This would be cheaper and more satisfactory than making drawings. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||