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).
Layout and selection of instruments for the first Bensport instrument board.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\1\ img177 | |
| Date | 19th November 1932 | |
| LIB ORIGINAL - EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/19.11.32. See me X6141 TO HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FROM EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} RE INSTRUMENT BOARD. B.S. I have been in London trying to settle up the instrument board for the first Bensport on the lines suggested in a previous memo. We have tried up a model on the body and find it extremely good for seeing the speedometer and tachometer and also for getting in and out of the driving seat on the near side. We think we should have 5.000in. dials on this car for the Speedometer and Tachometer and the only ones which we can get immediately are Jaeger, made by Messrs Smith and Son. The largest AT. is that we used on the Phantom I. We have therefore arranged to fit a set of these in a separate patch which Smiths are making up with interior lighting. As we have little room on the central board for the remaining instruments we are fitting an instrument which is a tachometer with a small clock on the same dial. We have asked you to wire EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} the ratio of the drive to the tachometer and the gearbox ratio of the speedometer as well as the actual axle ratio which you are going to fit to this first car. At Messrs Smith & Son we saw the combined petrol and oil level indicator and have got a detail of the tank fitting with a view to fitting it to the oil tank which we have to design for the final chassis. On the first car in the centre of the board on this first car we shall have the following. Switch. Oil Gauge. Water Temp. Gauge & Red Lamp. Ammeter Starter Switch and Shock Damper Control. The starter switch we are assuming will be that of P.II. In order to carry on as we cannot wait we are assuming that the control to the shockdampers will be the control now used for the Starting Carb. on P.II. and the only place that it will go on this design of board is at a point 3.500 to 3.500. either to the right or left of the centre of the board. We would be glad if E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} would confirm on the telephone on Monday that this position and control can be used by Derby in connection with the design which they are making as if it cannot our whole scheme of board will have to be reconsidered. Will Derby please send to us a lamp holder out of our framed patch of instruments as we have promised to let Messrs Smith & Sons have it to use in this little patch of speedometer and tachometer which they are making. EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Send to me at Park Ward please. [illegible] 21-11-32 H.L. | ||