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).
Poor car performance, cylinder head material considerations, and patent litigation concerning O.H.1 type engines.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 134\2\ scan0093 | |
| Date | 10th November 1936 guessed | |
| -4- The car in itself was very poor, on breaking hard from 70 m.p.h. the front wheels did everything conceivable and the car, one would imagine, became almost uncontrollable. Suspension also was poor giving a most uncomfortable back seat ride, jolting at speed being very bad. Cylinder Head Material. On enquiring about this we were told that at C.R's of about 5:1, alum was worth about a ratio, but at higher ratios, of bout 9:1, there appeared to be nothing in it. Litigation. It would appear with regard to this head that the patent rights have been the subject of much controversy between Messrs. Coventry Climax and Whatmough Hewitt & Co., which latter claim all patent rights on the O.H.1 type of head and block. This claim is apparently justified, and so far Coventry Climax have not been able to get round the patent and are hence compelled to pay the usual fees of, in this case, about 15/- per engine. The reason that Triumphs stopped using O.H.1 engines is bound up with these patent fees and also the fact that they decided to make their own engines and their designers were better aquainted with the O.H.V. type than the O.H.1. These, of course, are the reasons given by Coventry Climax. General impressions were however that the firm are convinced of the future of this type of engine and they themselves said that, given the choice, they would supply this type in preference to any other. Drawings and details of the various heads have been promised and will no doubt be sent on in due course. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/J.L.Edwards. | ||