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).
Article about a new ignition system and spherical valve, and a guide to UK car licensing fees and procedures.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 37\1\ scan 070 | |
| Date | 14th January 1920 | |
| The Motor 1120 January 14, 1920. NEW IGNITION SYSTEM.—Contd. This ignition does not require the use of costly contacts; it is probable that an alloy of gold and silver would be quite as satisfactory as platinum or tungsten compounds and alloys. A thermopile could be used to act as the exciter, but would not be practicable, although some form of frictional electric machine, such as the proverbial “cat’s back,” could be adapted without difficulty. The discharge from this apparatus is probably rather more oscillatory in character than that from the ordinary coil, apart from pulsation. An exact examination of the spark should be made by means of an oscillograph, and we hope to be able to report the result of such tests before long. The value of the spark for ignition purposes might also be examined by allowing the discharge to take place between two protected electrodes under water, whilst the colour could be examined spectroscopically. The whole apparatus undoubtedly possesses points of great interest from the commercial standpoint. New Spherical Valve. We were also at the same works afforded an opportunity of inspecting the “lightning oscillating” spherical valve. This type of valve gear undoubtedly gives very free paths to the inlet and exhaust gases. Somewhat lengthy tests will be necessary to determine the effect of inertia and of the moving of piston rings at different speeds throughout their diameter. The use of piston rings on the spherical valve can hardly be avoided in view of combustion head distortion. A.M.L. HOW TO TAKE OUT A LICENCE. The Fees Payable for Use of a Car and How They are Paid. AT this time of the year it becomes necessary for motorists to take out the Inland Revenue licences for their cars, and we are publishing the following information for the benefit of those who are not conversant with the procedure, and also in order to give a handy guide to the tax payable on various sized cars. In the first place a declaration form should be obtained from the local County Council or Money Order Office. Motorists owning pleasure cars require Form No. 1, whilst duly qualified medical practitioners or registered veterinary surgeons owning a motorcar kept for the purpose of their profession must apply for a licence on the special Form of Declaration No. 1a. These forms can also be obtained at any Money Order Office, but the licences can only be obtained at head offices and branch offices authorized to issue scheduled licences. Paying the Licence Duty. In the case of the ordinary private motorist, the form must be filled in and sent either to a Money Order Office or to the office of the local County Council in time for the licence to be sent to them before the end of January or within 21 days after first becoming liable for the tax, e.g., by owning a motorcar. The cost of the licence, or, in other words, the amount of tax levied, depends upon the horse-power of the car. This is calculated by taking the bore of the cylinder as a basis, and the following is a comprehensive guide:— Single-cylinder engines, the bore not exceeding 4 ins. (or 102 mm.) ... £ s. d.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} 2 2 0 Single-cylinder engines, the bore exceeding 4 ins. (102 mm.), but not exceeding 5 7-16th ins. (138 mm.) ... 3 3 0 Two-cylinder engines, bore exceeding 98 mm., but not exceeding 112 mm. ... 4 4 0 The following are the taxes levied on four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines:— Four cylinders, any bore not exceeding 2 23-32nds (or 69 mm.) ... 3 3 0 Four cylinders, bore exceeding 69 mm., not exceeding 3 5-32nds ins. (80 mm.) ... 4 4 0 Four cylinders, bore exceeding 80 mm., not exceeding 4 ins. 102 mm) ... 6 6 0 Four cylinders, bore exceeding 102 mm. not exceeding 4 17-32nd ins. (115 mm.) ... 8 8 0 Four cylinders, bore exceeding 115 mm., not exceeding 5 ins. (127 mm.) ... 10 10 0 Four cylinders, bore exceeding 127 mm., not exceeding 5½ ins. (140 mm.) ... 21 0 0 Six cylinders, any bore not exceeding 2 9-16th ins. (65 mm.) ... 4 4 0 C32 Six cylinders, bore exceeding 65 mm., not exceeding 3¼ ins. (83 mm.) ... £ s. d.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} 6 6 0 Six cylinders, bore exceeding 83 mm., not exceeding 3 11-16th ins. (94 mm.) ... 8 8 0 Six cylinders, bore exceeding 94 mm., not exceeding 4 1-16th ins. (103 mm.) ... 10 10 0 Six cylinders, bore exceeding 103 mm., not exceeding 5 ins. (127 mm.) ... 21 0 0 Six cylinders, bore exceeding 127 mm., not exceeding 5½ ins. (140 mm.) ... 42 0 0 Eight cylinders, not exceeding 66 mm. bore, £6 6s.; 75 mm. bore, £8 8s.; 94 mm. bore, £21. An Inland Revenue licence cannot be transferred to another person in the event of an owner selling his car in the course of the year. The holder of a current revenue licence, when he has disposed of one car and bought a new one, is not required to take out another licence, providing the new car is rated at a higher revenue tax, however, the authorities will allow the amount of tax already paid to count on the new tax. Exemption from car taxes is only granted where the car is specially made for and used for the conveyance of goods. In this case the owner’s name and address must be painted in letters 1 in. high in a prominent position on the bodywork. The tax is not demanded on a car kept but not used at any time in the year. If the tax is paid on a car and the car is not used no refund will be made. Where two cars are kept, separate licences must be obtained. Registration and Driving Licence Fees. The other fees paid by the user of a car are the following:— No car may be used unless it bears registration numbers, and there is no period of grace allowed for the payment of the fee when these are granted. Before delivery of a car is taken, therefore, application should be made to the Clerk of the Council of any County or Borough Council in the United Kingdom. The application should be accompanied by a remittance of £1 and a stamp for postage. The motorist will then be advised of the number granted him. Most Councils will telegraph the number, in the case of urgency, if a franked telegraph form is enclosed with the application. Before a car is driven the driver must obtain a driving licence (fee 5s.), obtainable from the Council in which the motorist resides. In the County of London area all applications should be made to the London County Council, Licences Department, 19, Charing Cross Rd. | ||