Linked Pages | Terms and Conditions ] | |
| The first diamond shaped instrument panels appeared in 1937 with the restyled range announced for that year, although the latter half of 1936 saw an early introduction of some of the features from the new range. The panel itself was of steel construction and chrome plated. The Lucas 3 position lighting switch with bakelite top and chrome surround was used which was to remain the same until the post-war era. The Lucas 0-4-8 ammeter with chrome case and sprung mounted fitting was distinguished by four pips around its base to locate the serrated ring used to compress the spring mounting. In addition, a single pip under the bezel located the gauge correctly in to the panel. The oil pressure gauge was of Eureka manufacture, printed with the Triumph logo and rated at 25 lbs for all models. The needle was a distinctive design with a crescent on the tail and the movement pivoted in the centre of the dial. The inspection lamp was a Lucas DC 40 brass lamp with four holes around the edge of the base, two of which located onto two sprung loaded pins fixed to the lamp housing, which was spot-welded to the panel. | |
| 1938 Tiger 90 |
 |
The following year, 1938, saw the introduction of the twin cylinder model and a new material of black bakelite for the panel (advertised as being anti-dazzle). This panel requires a stout, pre-formed rubber mounting to sit correctly on the tank, while the steel panel simply requires a rubber bead pressed over the underneath edge. The screw securing the new panel had a reduced diameter head in order to recess into the panel. The light switch and ammeter remained unchanged but a new 100lb oil gauge, of the same design and manufacture, was introduced for the twin because of the increased oil pressure necessary for the crankshaft construction. The singles in the range continued with the same 25lb gauge. The new material for the panel necessitated an inspection lamp fitting which was fastened with three small screws to the panel. In addition, a second type of fitting for the lamp was employed which consisted of a bayonet fastener involving two small pins on the lamp engaging two slots in the holder against a sprung washer. Both this type of fitting and the previous sprung pins type appeared apparently at random over the year and perhaps appeared occasionally in to the next season. 1939 models retained the bakelite panel and saw the introduction of a new oil pressure gauge rated at 160lbs, probably for the T100 model, but fitted to both twins. Again, switch and ammeter remained the same, but a new Lucas DC44 inspection lamp appeared. This lamp seems to have exclusively used the bayonet type fitting and consisted of a bulb-holder which pointed upward leaving the bulb above the panel, protected by a hood with a domed top and a window at the rear to allow the light to shine on the instruments. For 1940, the steel panel was re-introduced, probably because of constant breakage of the bakelite unit. If not fitted with the thick rubber gasket in good condition, constant rattling of the thing must have driven owners to over-tighten the holding screw. The finish of the new panel differed however from 1937 in that it was painted in a black 'crinkle-finish' paint. It seems likely that the DC40 inspection lamp was re-introduced for 1940 after criticism of glare from the DC44 light, which was not switched, and was therefore constantly on when the lights were switched on. | |
 | |
Post-war, the same panel continued. The ammeter now gained four locating pips under the bezel for more positive location, resulting in four corresponding cutouts in the panel. The Lucas DC40 inspection lamp seemed to continue for early post-war models but changed to a completely new bakelite construction in late '46 and used exclusively the bayonet fitting. Again, the light switch remained the same but the oil gauge was now of a different design. The needle was pivoted at the bottom and was straight with no decoration. The gauge was rated at 100lbs, for what had become an entirely twin-cylinder range. The Triumph logo was still printed on the face, but without the dire warnings of the consequences of running too low an oil pressure printed in red alongside. Apparently, dealers and the works were constantly hearing from worried owners experiencing apparently low oil pressure and it was for this reason as much as anything that the gauge was deleted altogether for the new look in 1949. To summarise there are in all : With thanks to Greg Hult. | |
Linked Pages | Terms and Conditions ] | |