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).
Performance comparison of the 20 HP car against the 40/50 model, discussing modifications and weight impacts.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 39\2\ Scan232 | |
| Date | 8th April 1929 | |
| contd :- -2- our specification performance will still be below the Chrysler and similar cars. The relative performance of the 40/50 car compared with the 20 HP. car shews that whereas we have increased the 40/50 performance considerably, the 20 HP. car performance has not increased to any marked degree. The improvements which have been made, such as lower axle ratio etc., have been swallowed up by the increase in the weight of the chassis and the complete car. We consider we ought to take advantage of the improved 20 HP. engine as soon as possible. The car we have been running has a long chassis, the cross removed and tubular members fitted. The engine mounting on this car is the present standard 20 HP. In our opinion the jellying of the front of the car is slightly worse than the present standard 20 HP. The view held by PN.{Mr Northey} is that they did not consider it was sufficiently bad to take exception to. We are preparing your little Coupe 20 HP. which you had last year with this type of engine so that you can try this car when you return to WW. The above was written before receiving R1/M8.4.29. In fairness to Sales, we have to admit that we have not produced any 20 HP. Expl: cars with light bodies. The latest Hooper we have recently received which was instructed from WW. weighs 34 cwts. complete car. The 20 HP. which was at Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence had a body which was especially made for Expl: car. We have seen several light fabric bodies on recent 20 HP. trials cars and the improved performance can be appreciated. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||