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).
Standardization of the vehicle instrument board's size, material, and position.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 41\3\ Scan056 | |
| Date | 15th December 1921 | |
| To Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. BJ. c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} EY. c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Sp.{Mr Spinney} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Sa. LHS.{Lord Herbert Scott} PN.{Mr Northey} X3730 R10/M15.12.21. RE INSTRUMENT BOARD. X.4067 X.3730 For a long time I have been anxious and willing to adopt any scheme of standardisation of the size, material, and position of the above. Although I do not think that it is at all necessary we find coachbuilders adopting a varying position of this fitting in (1) height. (2) distance from the dash, (3) inclination. They also use the wood according to the finish on the body, although we think the best material is teak, we find all sorts of wood and aluminium used; this one feels to a certain extent is necessary, therefore it wax polished teak cannot be used universally, apart from the risk of sun's reflection, it does not stand the weather, black wood or metal might look like a hearse, so will anyone suggest what could be used. It is quite good for exhibiting a show chassis to fit the instrument board up on brackets complete but there is not much sense in doing so on production if as is reported, the coachbuilder strips and scraps this, refitting the instrument on a board of his own wood and in his own position connecting up the various wires etc - more or less badly. Mr. Evernden has suggested a rear board of R.R. make, carry the instruments and a covering board made by coachbuilders using instruments with close fitting rings to hide the defect of fit of instruments in the board (coachbuilders). Sp.{Mr Spinney} I understand doubts this sheme; I can't see that it would be a success and probably a costly failure. contd:- | ||