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).
The introduction of new speedometers with larger trip figures and concave lighting for various car models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 165\4\ img287 | |
| Date | 28th February 1935 | |
| WST / 6081. S/W. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. Speedometers for R-R and Bentley Cars. Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}19/KW28.2.35. We were very glad to have the opportunity to-day of seeing the speedometer with larger trip figures and an instrument panel with concave lighting. We readily agree that in both these respects the instruments - subject to the small detail modifications suggested to Wst - are more acceptable than those we are at present receiving and the lighting effect is definitely superior. We should naturally like to have these introduced in the final form as soon as possible. We understand that Smiths in any case will take four months to supply from date of order. We further understand that it is more desirable to introduce not only the larger trip figures but the concave lighting at the same time. We understand that the larger trip figures could have been supplied by Smiths within three months from date of order and the concave lighting a month later. Whilst it seems a pity to defer for a further month the introduction of the larger trip figures, if it will help matters we would agree to do so. This may affect somewhat the point where speedometers with larger trip figures only would have been introduced, and we have already indicated in correspondence that we should like to have had this particular item introduced on the instruments of H2 series 20/25's, and presumably at the 26th in "U" series 40/50's. In amending these views now by reason of the dual introduction, we believe that it may not be possible to introduce these two features on the 20/25 until J2 series due on test about the middle of July, and as that is only just over four months from now it is perhaps as good as we can expect and allows a slight margin for delay on the part of Smiths. Re 40/50's, it would appear that the 26th in "U" series would be too soon, as we doubt if you will get supplies of the instruments from Smiths by that time, but as there is likely to be some delay before the 26th in "U" series goes on test, you may find in view of that it may be possible to introduce these at that particular chassis. If alternatively we took the 51st in "U" series this will bring us to the 6th July when chassis at that stage are due to test, which would bring this improvement in slightly ahead of the 20/25's. This date of course, allows no break in continuity of output, but we rather gather there may be a break of anything up to 8 weeks. (contd) | ||