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).
Engine design options for the 'Bensport' model, comparing it to a Bugatti and considering supercharger placement.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\4\ 04-page023 | |
| Date | 31th March 1932 | |
| X4553 M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Cor. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Mr. E.S/HW.31.3.32 Re Bensport. Referring to your memo R.2/HP. 31.3.32 personally I think the larger engine which would come out at 3.15 litres is very good, and have always thought that we wanted a larger engine to appeal to the Bensport clientele. Further it is easy to get it in the way suggested by using 8 of the Peregrine size cylinders, giving us an engine of smooth characteristics, low transmission line, and small cross section. The smaller cross section leaves us the maximum amount of room for getting the supercharger driven by gearing from the front or rear alongside of the engine which is somewhat necessitated by the increased length of the 8 in line scheme. The centre of gravity is also kept low. A shorter induction system results, with either pumping the mixture through the blower or only dealing with the air, and the distribution problem with or without the blower we feel can be overcome. With the fewer number of main bearings we can undoubtedly make a much stiffer crankshaft. This scheme altogether now becomes directly comparable with the 8 cylinder supercharged Bugatti shown at the last Olympia Show. In laying out the Bensport we do not propose to trouble about left-hand-steering, as although the car may be used on the continent by English owners we do not anticipate that it will be sold there. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||