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).
Development, modifications, and production plans for the Bensport car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\3\ img070 | |
| Date | 27th January 1933 | |
| ORIGINAL To R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to S. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} PR.{Percy H. Rose} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}6/WJ.27.1.33. X4553 BENSPORT. Since we had this car at .W. last week we have modified the steering column to be correct for the seating position and also modified the right-hand change speed lever so that it is in the best position. In the car as is now, there is nothing to complain of as regards the steering position and change speed lever. It is not very easy to get out on the driver's side but this could be greatly improved with a proper sliding seat. We met Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and IN. outside London today and they drove the Bensport as far as Breatham where we met Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} W/V.{VIENNA} and Ha/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} (who is on his way to France with Peregrain). It was agreed by all, that the Bensport car as it is is a very desirable motorcar and one that should be got on to production as soon as possible. If we wait for the modified crankcase, clutch, and gearbox, it will be at least two months or three months before the car is running, and will take another two months to prove it out and by that time it will be quite impossible to get any production cars ready for exhibition at the next Olympia. Any Bensport cars which are to be shown at this Show must be produced and off test in six months time. The propeller shaft on Bensport is quite free from periods and whirl. It is four inches shorter than the present 25 HP. and the axle ratio is a little higher so that we can come on to our crankshaft period before we touch the prop. shaft vibration. We are using the standard 25 hp. gearbox and servo which is a thoroughly proved product. Today, comparing the car with the Sport Alvis which is a car which is selling well, the Bensport has a much better performance and does it very much more nicely. The fact that we introduce Bensport with the present 25 HP. gearbox does not mean that we shall stop the development of the new gearbox etc. We expect to incorporate improvements and modifications to the Bensport from time to time the same as we have to do on all our other models, and after the new gearbox has been proved there is no reason why it should not go on the | ||