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 investigation and comparison of speedometers and rev counters from various suppliers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 164\1\ img144 | |
| Date | 28th January 1937 | |
| Cap -2- to our speedometer has to be of fairly heavy construction and there is always much more chance of noise developing due to any parts being slack as a result of wear. We pointed out to them that it seemed wrong to have an instrument requiring this heavy torque necessitating special drives when the same performance could be obtained with a much lighter movement. We have confirmed that the speedometers on American cars particularly have a very steady movement and are remarkably free from oscillation. Considerable discussion took place regarding these speedometers, and finally it was agreed that the A.T. Co. would investigate the possibility of developing a new instrument embodying the features desired. In this connection we would point out that we have already received from the A.C.CO. a sample rev. counter designed with a similar dial to the A.T. and this is being tried out on an experimental Bentley chassis. Messrs Smiths are also sending us one of their standard speedometers with an A.T. dial for comparative tests. With regard to the cost of the present standard A.T. speedometer Mr. Nichols has confirmed that he will arrange for an independent Smith investigation of the A.T. instrument costs to ascertain if it can be produced on a more economical basis. We consider the price we pay for the speedometer and rev. counter of the Bentley chassis does not justify the performance we get from the same. We were able to look through the Austin file of Messrs Smiths, and the returns of the standard Smith speedometers as shewn in that file were remarkably small, in view of the weekly production of Messrs Austins. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wst. | ||