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).
Capacity of the petrol tank for the 40/50 HP car, its stated vs actual volume, and potential future designs.
| Identifier | Morton\M11\ img200 | |
| Date | 27th August 1919 | |
| 40/50 To BM. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy to es. " " EFC. " " BA. X.3457. X.3687 ORIGINAL RE 20 GALLON PETROL TANK ON PRESENT 40/50 HP. CAR. I find that the tank on 1 EX. does not appear to hold 18 gallons but 17 3/4. I think any tank we fit should hold some round figure, and be large enough to hold this amount, even when the car is on the side of a cambered road. It would seem therefore, that the present tank referred to by Mr. Hives which will hold 19 gallons, should be called an 18 gallon tank. It should be marked on it to avoid confusion. In the present state of affairs it would appear hardly worth while to make new dies for another tank. We might have made experimentally a large tank for the full 20 gallons. This would be 21 gallons capacity probably, and I understand Mr. Hives suggests that we should have the tank divided into two compartments, somewhat in the same way as is carried out in the Packard tank. I am not sure, however, whether this has not some disadvantages. I think there should be a small tank somewhere available for carrying spare emergency petrol, other than the usual can strapped to the footboard. I think this matter had better be brought up for discussion when next you and Mr. Hives visit West WitteringHenry Royce's home town. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||