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).
Comparing gear lever and instrument board dimensions on two Bentley models to address an issue with changing gear.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 84\1\ scan0114 | |
| Date | 5th May 1933 | |
| x293 To De/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} c. WOr.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson}7/KT.5.5.33. X48563 It is impossible to change into 3rd. speed on the second Bentley car without either hitting one's hand against the instrument board or holding the gear lever in a most uncomfortable manner. On the first Bentley car it was just possible to use the 3rd. speed without inconvenience but an improvement could, with advantage, be made. The comparison between the two cars is as follows :- 1.B.III. 2.B.IV. (1) Dash to centre of top of gear lever when in 3rd. gear - 14.750" 14.750" (2) Dash to bottom line of instrument board - 13.637" 14.250" (3) Floorboard to bottom line of instrument board - 15.750" 15.750" (4) Length of gear lever from gate to top of lever. - 13.625" (Special lever No trigger) 14.000" (Standard lever including trigger). ------ It will be observed that the positions and dimensions of the levers are identical with the exception that there is the reverse knob on the second Bentley. The main difference is that the instrument board on the second Bentley car is rather more than 1/2" nearer the driver than on the first car. We suggest that the instrument board should be arranged so that the distance from the bottom line to the dash should not exceed 13.000". Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} | ||