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 from supplier S. Smith & Sons discussing Bentley instrument illumination and appearance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 164\1\ img153 | |
| Date | 19th April 1937 | |
| 105 CONTRACTORS TO ADMIRALTY, WAR OFFICE & AIR MINISTRY BY APPOINTMENT TO HIS MAJESTY THE KING TELEPHONE: GLADSTONE 3333 (20 LINES) TELEGRAMS: SPEEDOFAC, PHONE, LONDON. CABLES: SPEEDOFAC, LONDON. CODES: MARCONI, COMMERCIAL, BENTLEY'S. S. Smith & Sons (Motor Accessories) Ltd BRANCHES AT PARIS, MILAN, SYDNEY, WELLINGTON AGENCIES AND SERVICE STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE BRITISH EMPIRE AND IN ALL THE PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES SHOWROOMS & DEPOTS 179-185 GT PORTLAND ST LONDON, W.1. 26-33, COX ST LIVERY ST BIRMINGHAM 14a, JACKSONS ROW DEANSGATE MANCHESTER 21, DRURY STREET GLASGOW DUBLIN & BELFAST CRICKLEWOOD WORKS, LONDON, N.W.2. Please quote our reference: S.1. Copy for Mr. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} West. SALES DIRECTOR'S OFFICE. 19th April 1937. R.{Sir Henry Royce} Davis, Esq., Rolls-Royce Ltd., DERBY. Dear Mr. Davis, Mr. Manwaring has mentioned to me his conversation with you regarding Bentley instrument illumination. My impression is that the Speedometer and Revolution Indicator on the 4¼-Litre are not quite so good from this angle. I would not, however, criticize them adversely. The only speed which seriously concerns me is 30 M.P.H., and so long as I have a clear indication of this I am satisfied. It might, perhaps, be advisable to make this 30 M.P.H. marking more distinctive as I am quite sure that most owners of this wonderful motor car must find it difficult to conform with the built-up area regulations. Whilst on this subject, there is one point I would like to raise, i.e. when the new car is delivered (I have noticed this on many occasions) the interiors of the instrument glasses have a dusty appearance. Whilst it is easy to deal with this matter in my own case, for the average users of your cars the matter is not quite so straightforward. Reverting to the question of illumination, as you have to cater for owners with varying eyesight I am wondering whether you consider it a constructive suggestion that you should fit a rheostat arrangement to control the lighting to suit each individual's particular requirements. | ||