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).
Petrol tank size for the Bensport model, recommending against a larger tank due to weight concerns.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 88\5\ scan0067 | |
| Date | 28th February 1933 | |
| ✓ 251. To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} BENSPORT PETROL TANK. Replying to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}13/E.27.2.33. We think we were wrong in asking for a bigger petrol tank on the Bensport car. The reason for this is that we cannot afford the extra weight. The proposed tank means that we shall have to same sized tank on the Bensport as we have on the present Phantom 11. cars. he Bensport car will average approx. 15 miles/gallon with the 16 gallon tank there is sufficient petrol for 250 miles, with the reserve 220 miles. Unless we take a very firm stand in connection with weight on the Bensport car this car will be entirely spoilt. It must be remembered that there is one reason and one reason alone for the extraordinary performance of the FordV8 and that is it's light weight. On the Bensport we have cut down the weight of the front and rear axles compared with the20/25 and we have got to fight every ounce of additional weight. The proposed new petrol tank would entail an additional weight of 60 - 70 lbs. Although we asked for the larger tank, we are sorry now that we did so, and recommend that we stick to the 16 gall. tank. The larger tank will always be available in case of special demand. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||