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 testing and implementation of new Lucas headlamps for Bentley chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 61a\2\ scan0194 | |
| Date | 5th January 1934 | |
| 86116. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Ox. c. to En. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst.5/MA.5.1.34. BENTLEY HEADLAMPS: We have now received the new type Lucas headlamps and they have been tested on the road. see E.I./D.5/B4. The modifications embodied in these lamps to improve their long distance effect were described in our Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst.6/MA.5.12.33. Compared with the existing Bentley lamps the new lamps give approximately the same side illumination with a much increased intensity forward beam. The new high intensity 48 watt lamp bulbs undoubtedly contribute a lot to this effect. With regard to the present headlamp position on the Bentley, in view of the fact that Messrs.Lucas will want at least a month to get these lamps into production we may have chassis ready for delivery to customers before the new lamps are available. Our recommendation therefore is that in the event of Bentley chassis being ready for delivery before Messrs. Lucas are ready with the new lamps we fit the existing X166 lamp and then change over the lamps if necessary at a later date. Messrs.Lucas have agreed to do this for us without expense to us or to customers. The 15 pairs of lamps which have already been delivered to us they are also willing to take back and use them up elsewhere. With regard to further improvements to these new headlamps, as the direct light from the bulb filament is now so dazzling it would be a good idea if some form of bulb shield similar to that adopted on Zeiss headlamps were adopted. | ||