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).
And comparing various engine configurations, including a V12, V8, and straight-8 options.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 6\6\ 06-page045 | |
| Date | 17th October 1935 | |
| (3) and bearing in mind that we shall improve the steering lock with independent suspension. Engine Unit. With regard to the suggestion to use a small 12 cylinder unit made up of two Peregrines, this has been considered but was not put forward on account of its prohibitive cost and the increased complication being hardly justified compared with the V.8. This engine would occupy more length than the V.8 and would be longer than the Peregrine to allow for the increased bearing area required on the main bearings and crankpins. With forked rods the small twelve would be 2.75" longer than Peregrine, and with side by side rods 3.9" longer. With such an engine it would be necessary to use side by side rods for economy and to avoid the tiny bolts that a forked rod of this size probably necessitate. We believe a V.8 engine of suitable proportions fitted with overhead valves can be designed to go under the 20/25 or Wraith size of bonnet. With regard to the fourth paragraph of Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}10/E.17.10.35, the big bore 20/25 will comfortably go into a chassis scaled down from SpectreCodename for Phantom III and designed to suit a V.8 but the straight 8 demands 6" more length from front wheels to dash. With regard to cost of production of V.8, there are reasons why this can be designed down to the same or less than the present 20/25. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||