Rolls-Royce 30 hp
| Rolls-Royce 30 hp | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Royce Limited |
| Production | 1905-1906 37 made |
| Designer | Sir Henry Royce |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6000cc 6-cylinder. |
| Transmission | four-speed |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 112 in (2,845 mm) or 118 in (2,997 mm) |
| Length | 157 in (3,988 mm) or 158.75 in (4,032 mm) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | 40/50 (Silver Ghost) |
The Rolls-Royce 30 hp was one of four cars to be produced as a result of an agreement of 23 December 1904 between Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. Badged as a Rolls-Royce, the 30 hp was produced during 1905 and 1906 by Royce's company, Royce Ltd. at its factory in Cooke Street, Hulme, Manchester. It was sold exclusively by Rolls' motor dealership, C.S.Rolls & Co., at a price of GBP890. The engine was exhibited at the Paris Salon in December 1904, along with the 10 hp, 15 hp and 20 hp models.
Claude Johnson was keen that a six-cylinder model was included in the Rolls-Royce line-up as other "quality" makers, especially Napier, were adding them to their ranges. The 30 hp was discontinued when the company changed to a single model policy and launched the 40/50 (Silver Ghost).
The engine is made of three separately cast two-cylinder units which are common with the two-cylinder 10 hp and four-cylinder 20 hp types sharing their bore of 4 in (102 mm) and stroke of 5 in (127 mm). It is water-cooled and of 6000 cc capacity with overhead inlet and side exhaust valves. The crankshaft is carried in seven main bearings in an attempt to keep vibration to a minimum, a problem on many early six-cylinder engines, as the dynamics of the layout were still not fully understood. Flywheels are fitted at both the fronty and rear of the crankshaft. After some early cars suffered broken crankshafts Royce modified the front flywheel to incorporate a damper which overcame the problem. A single Royce carburetter is fitted. Early cars have a high-tension ignition system using pre-charged accumulators, a trembler and a coil ignition system; on later cars this is supplemented by a magneto which could be used as an alternative. As the lighting supplied uses oil for the side and tail and acetylene for the headlights, there is no other drain on the accumulators, which need to be recharged between outings. The power output is 30 bhp (22 kW) at 1000 rpm. The engine speed is controlled by a governor that can be over-ridden by the pedal-controlled accelerator. A four-speed transmission carried over from the "Light" 20 hp model is connected to the engine via a short shaft. On this transmission, third gear is direct and fourth speed an overdrive ratio. A leather-faced cone clutch is used.
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