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 Ulster Tourist Trophy Race, detailing car specifications and modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 90a\2\ Scan181 | |
| Date | 6th September 1934 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to C. ULSTER TOURIST TROPHY RACE. I went over to Ulster to see this Race. I have purposely allowed the excitement to die down before expressing my views. Specification of the Car. Although it is possible to get out a long list of modifications, the important ones were as follow - The power output of the engine was increased by raising the compression ratio, by modifying the cylinder head, and by fitting Aerolite pistons and larger diameter inlet valves. The reliability of the engine was increased by fitting Lead Bronze big end bearings. The road holding and braking was improved by the addition of Hartford Shock Absorbers all round, and increased leverage to the front brakes. The gearbox was modified to give much higher ratios on first and second speeds. There was a special petrol tank with large filler and a wire grid on the front of the radiator. An extra oil tank was fitted. -------------- The cylinder head with a higher compression ratio and larger inlet valves had been used on experimental development a long time ago on the original development of the Bentley engine. The Lead Bronze big end bearings we have been running for some time because the present bearings on the Standard Bentley are a very weak point. The Aerolite pistons we have run about 50 or 60,000 miles and we are hoping to Standardise these for production. The results of the improved road holding with fitting the Hartford Friction Shock Absorbers has given us some interesting data for development of a better damper for all our cars. | ||