Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Twenty
Rolls-Royce Phantom I
Rolls-Royce 20-25 HP
Car : Rolls-Royce 20 HP
Year : 1905
Engine : 4 cylinders in line
Bore and stroke : 100×127 mm
Cylinder capacity : 3994 cc
Gears : 4 forward
Brake horse power : 20
Maximum speed : 50 mph
Wheelbase : 8 ft 10 ins (2.69 m) or 9 ft 6 ins (2.89 m)
Suspension : front: semi-elliptic leaf- springs; back: semi-elliptic leaf- springs with
auxiliary transverse leaf- springs
Henry Royce’s first cars, 1904, consisted of one twin-cylinder and one 3-cylinder model, of which 16, and 6 respectively were built. The first 4-cylinder model was the 20 HP.
With this car Henry Royce, an electrical engineer who had started a small crane and winch manufacturing firm in Manchester, began to show his talents as a designer. The meticulousness with which he designed the various parts of the vehicle, and the precision he demanded from his workforce, was at the basis of his success–a success unique in the history of cars. The 4-cylinder model was also the first to carry the famous trademark of almost superimposed Rs, which recorded the partnership of Henry Royce and Charles Stewart Rolls. The latter, and agent for foreign firms in England (Panhard, Mors, and Minerva),was not only a great sportsman and an intrepid aviator, but also a good businessman. For two years he refrained form associating his name with that of Royce, simply selling the cars. Only in 1906 did Rolls-Royce Ltd come about, with £capital.
1906 was also important because a 20 HP driven by Charles Rolls won the Tourist Trophy; in 1905 Percy Northey, also driving a Rolls-Royce, had come second.
After the 20-HP Royce set to work on an 8-cylinder 3½ litre engine , arranged in a V , in two groups of four. Four of these were produced, together with the components for a fifth which was never assembled.
The 20-25 in 1929 saw in return to a smaller cylinder capacity engine; this car was also designed to bring the Bentley back on the scene (Rolls-Royce had taken over Bentley in 1931). The Bentleys had the same engine as the 20-25 HP, although overall they were more sporting cars. A total of 3,827 20-25 HPs were built, as against 1,191 Bentley 3½ litres. In 1936 the 20-25 HP became 25-30 HP (engine enlarged to 4257 cc), and another 1,201 were added to the 3,827 of the previous model. The Bentley becam 4¼ litre, and 1,241 were made.
It had single-block engine with L-head, and was one of the first to feature a dip-stick for measuring the level of the oil. Its success can be gauged by the fact that 1,600 cars had been produced just one year after its appearance o the market. In 1914 it was Rover’s only model, and it continued in production up until 1924, though under the name Fourteen. Later the Twelve also inspired the 16 HP–further proof of inspired the 16 HP–further proof of its soundness of design.
The 40-50 was designed by A. J. Rowledge. The engine had overhead camshaft, removable head, and crankshaft mounted on 7 bearings, and developed 82 bhp at 2,000 revs. The engine block, head, and pistons were of aluminium alloy, a technique applied by Napier during the First World War to aircraft engines, including the famous 12-cylinder Lion, which was later used on land in attempts to break records. The Napier 40-50 , which after 1924 had brakes on all four wheels and balloon tires, was destined for an elite market, so no expense was spared in its construction.
Only a few hundred (700, it is estimated) cars of the kind illustrated here were built–but this does not mean it was unsuccessful. Built together with a twin cylinder 875 cc model (with water-cooled engine in block, a 3-speed transmission, magneto ignition, and maximum speed of around 35 mph) it was considered one of the toughest cars of its time. Perry always proceeded with great caution in its car manufacture, and the decision to sell the production rights of this model to Bean Cars Ltd illustrates its fear that it could never complete with Austin and Morris. Its relationship with the 1919 Bean can be seen by radiator. Bean had different ideas about the car’s potential. It intended, after slight modifications and of course rechristening, to make 50,000 a year. These plans turned out to be somewhat over-ambitious, however.
The 1909 10 HP had the engine at the front, whilst in the 9 HP, from which it was derived, it had been mounted in the middle. The 9 HP, introduced in 1905, was the company’s first four wheeled car.
In 1913 an electrical system was added. It had a maximum speed of around 40 mph, but , with lighter bodywork and a few suitable modifications, it broke the Light Car circuit record at Brooklands, averaging over 70 mph. It also distinguished itself in the Alpine Trial. The 10 HP was supplied for army use during the First World War, and this enabled Singer, after the armistice, to resume production immediately, introducing numerous modifications as it went along (rear-mounted fuel tank, adoption of the feed pump, ¼ elliptic suspension, gearbox in the middle, 6-cylinder engine with side valves, then with overhead valves, plate clutch, and front brakes).
In 1913 Maudslay produced the 9.5 HP: the engine in this had side valves, with high-tension magneto ignition, worm drive, and removable wheels. This was a 2-seater known as the Rhyl with spare wheel, top, and windshield all included in the price of £185. The price went up £10 immediately the orders started coming in, because the standard accessories were to generous. The Rhyl’s cheap running costs ensured its success, in competitions based on fuel consumption as well as on the market. In 1915 50 were being built a week, which was a large number for the times. The subsequent models were also successful, and in 1945 Standard took over Triumph, and from then on was known as Standard-Triumph. However, in 1961 , unable to compete with the big groups, it was absorbed into Leyland, which in 1963 completely did away with the models Standard had bequeathed them.