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).
Secret memo discussing the arrangement of framed dashboard instruments, along with suggestions for coachbuilders and weight distribution.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\T\March1929-December1929\ Scan010 | |
| Date | 5th March 1929 | |
| DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} (crossed out) FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} ) (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) SECRET. R1/M2.3.29. REC'D AT WW. 5.3.29. ORIGINAL C. to SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} PN.{Mr Northey} GWB FRAMED INSTRUMENTS. X7530 X5530 (crossed out) I am pleased you have arranged the instruments into the same space. I was very anxious not to increase the depth - i.e. (Diagram of instrument cluster) Thermometer is Slight error on blueprint, marked ammeter, so I have altered my print. This looks so much better than schemes such as Mr. Minchin has that this matter is urgent. In our printed book of suggestions to buyers and coachbuilders we might give a position for the instrument board, to clear the knees of tall drivers, and be seen by the driver for each type of steering. Such a book if not already in existence should be compiled at once. If people stole the information it would still be better than not having it available, and would be an advertisement more valuable than not getting any advantage from it. Perhaps each specialist could contribute, but it would chiefly be DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}'s dept. For instance weight distribution is the most important, and next the position of passengers - i.e. weight behind axle, passengers forward of ditto, give ideal positions, and how it improves riding, road holding, and steering. I nearly forgot to mention that the starter press button should be available for the R.H. and not for the left for reasons which will be obvious: if not I will explain. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||