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 detailing French regulations for fixed headlamps, specifically the 'code position' for anti-dazzle, and a potential modification for Lucas lamps.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 167\1\ img073 | |
| Date | 3rd December 1936 | |
| WST 6116 To: "Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}" ...... DERBY, PARIS c: "Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}" ...... LONDON. Sr21/Dn3.12.36 re Head Lamps. In answer to your Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wst.15/AP.24.11.36 re Head Lamps, I note with interest that you are contemplating fitting Lucas Head lamps to the Phantom III and Bentley chassis, which will be suitable for the Continent. As far as I can gather from information gleaned in the right quarters during the last few days, the situation has not changed in any way, and remains as set forth below: 1º Head Lamps should not be of the dipping or pivoted type. 2º The Head Lamps, being permanently fixed, should be fitted with a double filament bulb of not more than 100 candle power. When in the anti-dazzle position - what the French call the "code position" - for passing another oncoming car, the maximum projection of the light beam should not exceed 30 (thirty) metres, and the height of this beam should not be more than 1 metre 20 cms. Any other system would not comply with the French regulations. Needless to say, the code position is anything but brilliant, and we have all objected to the poor light we have to put up with. The Minister's definite answer to the various protests was to the effect that the object of the new anti-dazzle regulations was to prevent accidents due to dazzling, and that if one could not see as well as before, he considered his object had been attained, adding that automobiles would have to cut their speed right down, and would therefore be in a position to stop rapidly should they suddenly come across a pedistrian or cyclist. Incidentally, you will be interested to hear that the P.100 Lucas Head Lamps can be converted by Marchal, as it so happens that the interior of their "Strilux" model - by interior I mean the reflector etc., - fits the P.100, and this alteration costs Fcs.800.- I trust the above information will make this matter clearer. [Handwritten] Yellow light soon will keep you posted Sl S. No. | ||