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).
Cable discussing the relative advantages of straight-eight and vee-eight engines, referencing Cadillac's and La Salle's design choices.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\1\ img210 | |
| Date | 6th February 1934 | |
| To sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to . c. to Sy. c. to De. c. to Hdy.{William Hardy} The following cable has been received from Mm. in U.S.A. - "RIVER. STRAIGHT EIGHT SMOOTHER I THINK SILENCING CARBURATION AND AUXILIARY DRIVES LESS COSTLY BETTER INSTALLATION STOP V.{VIENNA} EIGHT LIGHTER MORE COMPACT SHOULDER LINE SLIGHT UNDOUBTEDLY BETTER TORQUE AT LOW RPM IS WITH GOOD REASONING. FOR SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS WORTH INVESTIGATING TOO BIG CALL. A FITTING TO REGULARLY UPRIGHT SINGLE T SECTION ENGINE BUT STILL SUFFERING FROM THERMAL TROUBLES PARTICULARLY CRANKING AT DETROIT UNTIL FOURTH AND BINDING RADIATOR MATRIX." - This cable is a reply to one we sent asking Mm. to get the views of Cadillacs as regards the relative advantages of the straight eight and vee eight engines. Cadillacs have been mostly responsible for the success of the vee eight engine and we are interested to see that in this year's model of the La{L. A. Archer} Salle they have changed over to a straight 8. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||