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).
Letter to Ethyl Export Corporation inquiring about the availability of high octane fuels across continental Europe for use with a high compression head on a Bentley.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27a\1\ Scan313 | |
| Date | 3rd September 1935 | |
| COPY. Exptl. Dept. 3rd September,1935. HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} 8/KW. F.R.Banks, Esq., Ethyl Export Corporation, Thames House, Millbank, LONDON, S.W.1. Dear Banks, I have just returned from a Continental tour on a Bentley with a 7 to 1 compression head. This head is perfectly satisfactory with the Esso at present supplied in England; it detonated to quite a considerable extent on the Esso being sold in France, but is alright on the Esso supplied in Germany. It is not bad on the alcohol fuels obtainable in Austria and Hungary, but is no good on the petrols supplied without alcohol. I shall be very grateful if you could let me know - (1) When all the Esso obtainable on the Continent will be brought up to 80 octane. (2) Whether there is any other fuel than Esso in France which has a high octane rating. At one time I believe Azure was supplied with 80 octane rating. (3) Do you know of any fuels supplied in Austria and Hungary which will approach 80 octane ? I apologise for troubling you, but we are anxious to formulate a policy for marketing the high compression head on the Continent. Yours sincerely, FOR ROLLS-ROYCE LIMITED. | ||