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).
Proposal to supercharge the 'Twenty' model car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5a\5\ 05-page210 | |
| Date | 29th October 1929 | |
| SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} C. c. to FN. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Ey. X5771 R.1/M29.10.29. re. SUPERCHARGED 'TWENTY'. X.5770 X.5771 X.4550 It appears to me definitely that it would be fatal to supercharge our big engine with its big cylinders. It is too big for the purpose, and would not be wanted. On the other hand I do believe that we could do another one or two hundred thousand pounds of increased trade without hurting our present trade, by supercharging the 'twenty'. Mr. Elliott and I are so convinced that you would agree to an attempt being made that we have asked the Works to put any type of supercharger on the 'twenty' to give an atmosphere and a half induction pressure. We have asked the works to couple an P. type blower to a 20 HP. engine and get a power curve. We are not proposing to drive the engine much faster probably not over 3500 RPM., and the supercharger we should fit to the car would be at rest for all throttle work. There should be no difficulty in getting 100 HP. and 100 M.P.H. with a suitable body, not that we would want this, but in practice we should use a reasonable body and get speed that would satisfy so many of our patrons who are at present buying Mercedes, Alfa Romeo, and other similar chassis. Geoffrey Summers we hear has bought two Alfas, and there are others too numerous to mention. I see no reason why we should not sell an extra 100 chassis at 1250 which ought to well cover the cost for super-charging. We already have such a very suitable chassis which would be made somewhat lower by fitting it with flat stiff springs. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||