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).
Preference for a short engine and bonnet, the need for more than six cylinders, and commissioning a design for a 12-cylinder Vee engine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\1\ img056 | |
| Date | 1st August 1932 | |
| ✓. FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} ORIGINAL SECRET R1/MB.8.32. C. to WGR. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Par HLV. x3993 24 re. 40/50. (1) I take it that Hales and Percy are convinced that we need more cylinders than six. W.R. have thought so for many years. (2) That a short engine and bonnet is to be preferred to a long one, as would be used with a straight eight engine - i.e. preferring to depart from the long nose appearance, because we can get a better car for the rear passengers with a given wheelbase. This is also a W.R. long looked for move. (3) We have therefore asked E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} to complete the 12 cyl. Vee engine into at least a picture of probable dimensions, that EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} can embody in an approximate chassis and body for Sales to see. (4) Of the car work this will follow Bensport, which we have now nearly completed. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||