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).
Letter from Ethyl Export Corporation regarding the octane rating of fuels in France and the lifting of a ban on lead.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27a\1\ Scan315 | |
| Date | 9th September 1935 | |
| COPY Ethyl Export Corporation, Thames House, Millbank, LONDON, S.W.1. 9th September, 1935. W.A. Robotham, Esq., Experimental Dept., Rolls-Royce Ltd., Nightingale Road, DERBY. Dear Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}, Many thanks for your letter of the 3rd September, which I note Fossett has answered in my absence. I can only add one thing to his letter, and that is to say that "Azure" fuel has probably the highest anti-knock value in France at the present moment. It varies a bit, but it is roughly around 78 to 80 octane. For your private and confidential information, the ban on the maximum allowable concentration of lead in France has now been lifted, but this is not yet official because it has to be certified by the Ministry of Health, and therefore I must ask you to keep this information between yourself and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} The Minister of Health is at present on vacation, and this is apparently the only reason for the delay in publishing the removal of the ban, officially. This means that all Ethyl fuels in France will go up to a minimum of 76 octane, and also for your private information, Esso will probably go to 80 octane. Lead will be included in a number of other gasolines in France of the tourisme grade. As soon as we receive official intimation regarding the decision of the French health authorities, and regarding the anti-knock rating of Esso brand fuel, I will communicate again with you. I hope to come up to Derby in the near future, but will give you a ring before I arrive. I am sorry that Hall did not get first place in the Ulster race, but he appeared to put up a very good show. I am very glad that Campbell passed the 300 m.p.h. mark with the R engine. I hope you had a good time on your holiday. Yours sincerely, (Sgd.) F.R. Banks. | ||