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).
Issues with the Bentley Switchbox installation on model 5-B-IV, resulting in a cracked instrument board.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 138\2\ scan0232 | |
| Date | 4th January 1935 | |
| X231 To Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c.c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/FD.{Frank Dodd - Bodies}1/KW.4.1.35. Bentley Switchbox. On 5-B-IV the instrument patch is of the concealed type with the switch box let into the instrument board from the rear. To suit this type of fitting the Coach-builders have cut a circular hole in the board of suitable size and radius. The fact that the switch levers are off-set allows them to foul the board in the "on" position, the head light switch being the worst offender as this has two movements. The instrument board is cracked on 5-B-IV between the switch box and oil gauge, and switch box and ammeter. these cracks occur at the point of contact between switch and board. The same trouble was experienced on the Vulture but was overcome by shortening the levers. If customers favour this type of instrument board and fittings on the Bentley, it will improve the appearance by shortening the levers to enable the Coachbuilders to keep the hole the switch box diameter. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/F.Dodd. | ||