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 regarding headlight and sidelight configurations for cars being exported to England, addressing differences in regulations.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 61a\1\ scan0077 | |
| Date | 6th November 1920 | |
| Oy5 - G 61120 Nov. 6, 1920 Mr. Claude Johnson, Managing Director, Rolls-Royce Ltd., London, England. Attention: Mr.F.H.Royce. Dear Sir:- X4291/ Re: Headlight Dimmers On the American cars which we are sending to England it will be noticed that no sidelights are fitted but instead the headlights are dimmed for use in city traffic or when the car is standing. We believe that this is illegal in England where it is insisted that the sidelights should define the full width of the car. As far as we can see it is desirable to use sidelights in this country to emphasize the European origin of the car, but it is equally desirable to dim the headlights, since in city driving the reflected light from the radiator and front wings, when sidelights are used, is sufficient to confuse the eye so that it would be preferable to drive with the sidelights out and only the dimmed headlights in operation. It seems necessary, therefore, to provide the following combinations of lights: 1. Side and tail lights, 2. Dimmed headlights and tail, 3. Full headlights, sidelights and tail. As an additional and important reason for requiring dimmed headlights, we would point out that in many cities where cars are parked with the rear end in towards the curb and the front end standing out into the street, it is necessary at present to leave the headlights on while the car is standing in order to illuminate the front of the vehicle to avoid collision from passing traffic. [STAMP: RECEIVED] [STAMP: circular stamp with text including NOV 25 1920] | ||