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).
List of design considerations for vehicle dashboard instruments and controls.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\3\ Scan373 | |
| Date | 17th May 1930 guessed | |
| -2- 2. Right below is the red warning light (if still desired). 3. The present large Elliott ammeter, adapted for back mounting, is set high because one does not read it, but judges charge or discharge by the inclination of the needle. It is not one of the vital instruments, i.e. neglect does not damage the engine. 4. On the opposite side it is balanced by providing a larger face opening for our existing clock. Half of the clock face is covered from the driver's seat. We believe that if the driver is going as fast as he can, he is doing his best, and the other occupants are more interested in the time than he is. 5. Air pump and magneto switch are tucked up out of sight. They are not used when running. 6. The two vital instruments we consider next to the fuel gauge, are the thermometer and oil pressure gauge. These are placed well down where we have them on our present board. These give warning (with automatic shutter) of water shortage or oil shortage, either of which will damage an engine. I have shown them with similar faces and vertical needle in normal conditions. (We do not care very much for your present short scale oil gauge which does not show the pressure which occurs in normal "winter-morning" conditions). We could supply our present oil gauge temporarily if you liked as it would "balance" your thermometer. 7. Starting carburetter control and starter button are on opposite sides and low down for visibility. Starter button is rather far off-center to the right but accessible and well-visible from the driver's seat if needed in emergency. If it were in the l.h. position it would be hidden below the steering wheel. 8. The vital visual readings, low fuel, high temperature, low oil, are all grouped low down near center, not confused by less important instruments. The vital manual instrument, namely, the starter button is also visible. 9. Less important matters are hidden. These are mileage, air pump, time, full tank, ammeter scale, mag. switch, main switch (use foot dimming), and starting carburetter. 10. The board will be fairly riddled with holes, so for strength I suggest a single plain back plate attached by numerous wood screws. 11. I have shown the fuel gauge with a visible frame, because I believe that any form of "cover plate" whether applied or milled in the solid board as on our present Am. board would be expensive to produce with anything but circular holes. T The starter button and starting carburetter control are intended to match in diameter but to be sunk in from the back of the board as we do now. cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} | ||