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).
Quality and selection of various car accessories.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 113\3\ scan0043 | |
| Date | 6th March 1929 | |
| R.{Sir Henry Royce} FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} C. to SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} CK.{Mr Clark} CWD. re. ACCESSORIES. X3594 We feel that the accessories which we fit and are bought out are not up to the standard of those we make ourselves. They are usually to be found on cars costing about a quarter to a tenth of ours, and have been made at a price to get that market, at the sacrifice of perfection. (1) HEADLAMPS. Lucas P.100. type are satisfactory, and while not so elegant and well made as the Stephan Grebel or the Zeiss, are reasonably up to our standard. (2) DIPPING GEAR. We suggest that we ought to have our own recommended system of anti-dazzle control, and that it should appear on all of our own cars. Barker dippers are no good and we should not recommend them. Derby (HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}) and R.{Sir Henry Royce} report in favour of the 3 lamp scheme with a 2 way foot switch. (The bifocal system Derby say is the second best.) We ought to endeavour, if we adopt this system, to find a suitable english centre lamp like the 180 mm. Stephan Grebel, and a 2 way switch with the Bosch. If these are not obtainable we might influence someone to produce them for us. We might make the switch and get Lucas to provide the lamp. We are taking this matter up. (3) ELECTRIC HORN. We want an English edition of the 2 note German Bosch. The Klaxon Co. have made a copy but we learn that it is not nearly so good, and is not 2 note. The present Klaxon is too coarse and irritating to the passengers (see R's note.) (4) SCREEN WIPER. The Bosch electric is the best. The Lucas in London is giving trouble in that it will not remain silent. An examination of the design will shew that it cannot ever be made good enough for our use. It has been produced for quantity production cars, such as Morris, and is sold retail at about 25/-. We want an English edition of the Bosch (German). Mr. Royce suggests trying the Watford people, and we will do so. (5) WING LAMPS. With the use of the 3 lamp scheme or bifocal dipping, wing lamps which are large enough to indicate the width of the car are all that is necessary. The Lucas streamline, as on 18-EX., 19-EX., and 14-G-4., etc. are adequate. These are only experimental, and we are suggesting that we ask Lucas to make detailed alterations with a view to our using them on our cars. (1) | ||