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).
Engine specifications for the proposed new 40/50 model, including cylinder count and bore size.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\1\ img067 | |
| Date | 14th September 1932 | |
| FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} S E C R E T. R2/414.9.32. C. to WCH. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} EB. DH.{D. Henderson - Showroom} X 3993. re. PROPOSED NEW 40/50. In discussing this matter with HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} I pointed out that we cannot consider for a moment an engine for the above car having more cylinders than 12., and if it thought advisable to buy a model as a standard of which this car has to surpass it should be of this number of cylinders, and preferably about the same capacity, because speaking generally the opinion expressed in HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}' report seems to favour the larger engine as being in all cases the better. As regards size it is understood that the bore must be limited to 3". Even the 3.25" used on the 25HP. is considered too large from a tax and insurance aspect. I think however that we should disregard the cylinder size if we are buying, and buy that which we think is the best car. I certainly should have recommended the Cadillac, but as the cylinders are 45° instead of the usual 60° we cannot expect this engine to run so well as one at 60°, which we think to be the correct angle. Personally I have not much faith in buying a car, as one so often finds that it is practically out-of-date. Another objection is that it may have considerable influence in our designs and so narrow our views: i.e. we become only copyists, and then only do this badly. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||