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).
Commercial vehicle programme, focusing on 2-stroke oil engine development and market strategy.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 158\3\ scan0026 | |
| Date | 3rd February 1940 | |
| 1345 To Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Jnr.{Charles L. Jenner} COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PROGRAMME. We have now got agreement from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} to go ahead with the 2-stroke oil engine which we started some months ago, but discontinued when War broke out. We have already observed that the most profitable market is the 2-2½ ton truck. There is no doubt that if we can offer a truck of this size at a reasonable price with the same performance as at present but with an oil engine, we should have a great opportunity of "collaring" the market. Our first objective, therefore, is to get an engine of the right size in a chassis on the road and see how it behaves. Mr. Salmonds of Kadenacy was here on Friday, February 2nd. and went over the different types of unit that he has been developing. Mr. Salmonds has been concentrating on developing poppet valve 2-stroke oil engines, similar in general layout to the General Motors' engine. He demonstrated that with a four-valve head he could run up to about 3000 r.p.m. if he could get a suitable injection pump. We have always felt that it would be folly to start an oil engine off with a sleeve valve, about which we know very little, if we could get an acceptable unit with a poppet valve. If Mr. Salmonds' figures are correct he has proved that this is feasible. Our own original development work in the Factory is concentrated on the sleeve valve unit, which, it seems probable, will ultimately beat the poppet valve. Our policy in the Car Division, however, is, we think, to take advantage of Salmonds' development work and stick as closely as possible to it. From the data that he will supply we shall design an engine which will take the place of the present Bedford engine. | ||