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 8-cylinder Ford's power-to-weight ratio and its potential to compete with existing models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 126\3\ scan0001 | |
| Date | 5th October 1932 | |
| X3531 R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/MA.5.10.32. 8 CYL. FORD AND POWER/WT RATIO. We have received the following report of the 8 cylinder Ford from Lp.{Mr Lappin} we think the results are extremely interesting. This car has of course obtained its performance by keeping the chassis small and disregarding the H.P. tax. The engine is exactly the same size as our 25HP. The car weight is given by the "Motor" and the "Auto Car" as 23 cwts, but probably 25 cwts when fitted with the closed body. The weight of the closed 20/25HP. empty is 35 cwts, and there appears to be little hope of reducing this in view of the degree of comfort demanded from a Rolls-Royce. It should be appreciated therefore that to be able to compete with the Ford on level terms for performance a 5 litre engine would be required for the 20/25 and a 7.2 litre engine for the 40/50HP. The new Ford prepresents closely the present general American standard of performance, and it was for this reason that we pressed for J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} 3 engine to be at least 4¼ litres. We believe that this car will establish a standard performance which every one who caters for a discriminating clientele in this country will shortly be forced to equal. Unless any new cars we produce start with the same amount of engine capacity/ton load as the Ford, it is practically certain that their performance will be excelled by this cheap car, having regard to the limits which the Rolls-Royce requirements of silence smoothness and slow running impose upon the power output from any given engine size. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||