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).
The desirable characteristics and engine options for a new small car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 144\4\ scan0046 | |
| Date | 19th March 1940 | |
| - 5 - Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} MYTH. A general discussion took place concerning the desirable characteristics of this car. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} emphasized that small cars were mostly buzz-boxes but that his 10 h.p. Rover was almost as refined as an R.R. up to 50 m.p.h. and this was the target we should aim at. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} said that it would not be possible to get refinement with the size of engine contemplated and at the same time, performance. The car would be designed basically as a 10 h.p. with alternatives of 12 and 8 h.p. engines. The most important thing seemed to be to get a car built, since no-one in the R.R. organisation has any experience of producing small motor cars, and find out whether an acceptable result can be achieved. It was agreed that by comparing the parts designed with similar parts which exist on other 10 h.p. cars in production, it should be possible to proceed without cost analysis. The following points were raised which did not appear on the Agenda :- (1) MR. GILES. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} asked whether, in leaving Mr. Giles with Mr. Ward, Derby were not perhaps depriving themselves of someone who would be very useful to them. -Continued- | ||