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 new Lucas headlamps and the difficulty in obtaining special, non-standard replacement bulbs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 167\1\ img214 | |
| Date | 6th November 1937 | |
| S/W. Wst. [text crossed out] to Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders} RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 6116 Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}1/KW6.11.37. New Type Lucas Headlamps. I wonder if you ever discussed with Lucas' the fact that these lamps are fitted with bulbs which are of a very special nature and cannot be purchased by people on the road in the ordinary way if they are required. I am told firstly that the lamp instead of having the ordinary bayonet fixing has two pins of unequal size and that the lamps can in any case only be obtained from Lucas'. For the time being I am told these will only be obtainable from the principal Depots. It is I think a very unfortunate thing that we are putting on the road at once in useful numbers a type of headlamp which will cause an owner trouble and inconvenience should he have the misfortune to burn out or break any of the headlamp bulbs. Our present standard spare lamp holder is not suitable for this special purpose. In addition, I understand that to make the lamps suitable for Continental conditions involves the removal of the standard bulb with its holder and the replacement by a special holder and a special bulb with twin filaments. These are apparently likely to be difficult to obtain also. Would you please let me know if you were aware of that fact. Lucas' have promised to let us know exactly what needs to be done to make the lamps suitable for Continental conditions, but it is quite possible that the exchange of the bulb and bulb holder is not the end of the story. I understand the special bulbs used in these lamps are also very expensive. It would seem that if we supply cars to customers who are in the habit of taking them abroad occasionally we look like having to supply them with spare bulbs of the normal type and possibly a set of spare bulbs with special holders for Continental work. This is going to be an expensive ite. Would you please let me know what attention was given to such details when the matter was under discussion with Lucas'. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} | ||