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).
Comparing an engine design with an Oldsmobile, and outlining future plans for the Phantom III and Wraith models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 10\5\ 05-page073 | |
| Date | 3rd September 1937 | |
| -5- ENGINE The basic design of the engine was conceived about seventeen years ago, which indicates how far we have got behind in some things. We really believe the Oldsmobile power plant to be its equal in every Rolls-Royce characteristic and better with regard to smoothness. The Oldsmobile uses no aluminium whatever, the external dimensions of the engines are almost exactly the same and the weights are very nearly identical. The only comparison of cost we can make is in the number of parts. Taking the Bentley engine and clutch as the final Wraith unit is not yet available, we have 30 pages of pieces against 15 in the Oldsmobile book. We cannot think of anything we get which compensates for the additional complication. P.III The P.III. of course compares unfavourably for weight and cost with the Wraith in almost every respect, so much so that we think it scarcely worthwhile to make an analysis of anything but the engine unit until the chassis has been re-designed. SUMMARY We have tried not to paint an unnecessarily dismal picture, but it is surprising how an analysis of this type shows up shortcomings. We think that with the amount of design and development work before us to catch up with current practice, we are justified in not wishing to rush into Bentley III. production. This memo and the Wraith weight analysis may be useful to refer to some day when queries are raised as to why, after a complete re-organisation, our cars do not immediately become simple to manufacture. It is clear that both P.III. and Wraith are likely to be produced substantially to their existing specification for the next five years. RM.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||