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).
Letter from The A.T. Speedometer Co. Ltd. regarding the development and delay of a new speedometer instrument.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 59\2\ Scan246 | |
| Date | 25th September 1933 | |
| Copy of Letter From: THE A.T.SPEEDOMETER CO.LTD. Chronos Works, North Circular Road LONDON N.W. 2 HRB/B 25th September 1933 Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd. Derby Dear Sirs, Mr. Nichols has requested the undersigned to write direct to you in connection with your recent enquiry for a 40/50 HP. Speedometer having larger trip and mileage figures, and the writer would like to take this opportunity, therefore, of reporting to you the exact position, because it is connected very much with the new light-weight Bentley instrument upon which we are working. We are aiming at a new lay-out for all three types of instrument - 25 HP., 40/50 HP., & Bentley - this new lay-out to take care of considerable reductions in weight, to close the front centre gap in the dial, and to bring in considerably larger total mileage and trip counter figures. Our aim is to obtain a standard instrument chassis, which can then be boxed in accordance with our requirements, and with the larger dial, when required. We would state that for some weeks past we have been working on this scheme, but, unfortunately, difficulties have been met with, which have caused us considerable trouble and delay. We do not want to put before you a proposition with which we are not entirely satisfied and, although on the writer's return from holiday a week ago, a sample instrument was almost completed, this was not, in his opinion of such a design as justified submission to you, and we are, therefore, bringing in several modifications. A further meeting is being held on this matter to-morrow, and in a few days we hope that such progress will be made that we can give the scheme a thorough test-out here. When we have satisfied ourselves as to the design and lay-out of the mechanism, the mere casing and bezelling of the instrument will present no difficulty. However, until this new instrument is in being, we cannot offer you a 40/50 HP. instrument with any larger total or trip than at present being supplied, and could we not, therefore, suggest that this client be written to, suggesting that, if he will wait a further three or four months, you may be able to supply him with one of these new instruments? (Continued) | ||