20hp

(1905-1906)



Model: 4 cylinder

Year: 1904-1906

Bore: 3 1/4" (1905), 4" (1905/6)

Stroke: 5"

c.c.: 3600 (1905), 4000 (1905/6)

Clutch: Leather lined cone type

Gearbox: Heavy model-3 speed, light model-4 speed (overdrive fourth)

Suspension: Semi-elliptic front. Platform rear

Brakes: Transmission foot brake. Handbrake operates on rear wheels

Wheelbase: Light model (8'10") Heavy model (9'6")

Track: 4'8"

No Made: 40

Chassis Made: £650


Four cylinder 20hp Rolls-Royce cars under construction at the Cooke Street, Manchester works of Royce Ltd, where the first three Royce cars and the earliest Rolls-Royce cars were built


At the Paris Salon in December 1904 the 20hp made its debut along with two 10hp models, a 15hp (in chassis form with no engine) and a 30hp. It differed from the engine of the Royce 10 hp in being fitted with a new three-bearing crankshaft and benefitted from improved lubrication. Standardisation was the key to the completion of the programme within the short time available because this simplified manufacture.

Cylinder dimensions were identical for all models (with the exception of the hp 10) and all engines had the same valves, pistons, oil pumps and so on.

With the radiator of classic Grecian shape, the new Rolls-Royce sported a feature which was to become a hallmark of the marque. The two entwined Rs made their debut about a month later, in January 1905, on the title page of the first catalogue by C S Rolls and Co.

To promote his fledgling company, Royce entered a 20hp in the 1905 Isle of Man race. His expected success would certainly bring about increased sales in the new cars.

The Rolls-Royce 20hp exactly matched the requirements for the Tourist Trophy. Rolls suggested he ran two of this model; one to be driven by himself and another one in the hands of Percy Northey.

Immediately after the start he was in trouble. Trying to save petrol he had been coasting down a hill when he ruined the gearbox in an attempt to re-engage gear. While he tried to find out if the defect was a result of his carelessness or of sabotage, Percy Northey finished the race with the second highest speed and runner-up to an Arroll Johnston.

Despite not attaining first place, the result could be considered a significant success for a company founded twelve months previously. Further, Rolls recognised several points for improvement which were changed in the cars taking part in competition. For weight saving reasons chassis and axles were forged from chrome-nickel steel. Instead of the usual three-speed gearbox a new one of four speeds was used; third gear was direct drive and fourth gear a sort of overdrive.

In 1906 Rolls headed again for the Isle of Man to take part in the second Tourist Trophy. Two Rolls-Royce 20hp cars were entered, the second, again, entrusted to Percy Northey. Both cars were carefully prepared for this event and fitted with knock-off wire wheels instead of the wooden artillery wheels which had been fitted the year before. Northey ran into trouble when he hit a bridge and bent the front axle. Rolls triumphed by finishing first at an average speed of some 4 mph (6 km/h) higher than the speed of the next entrant.

Wishing to consolidate his success and to open up new vistas, Rolls shipped two motor cars to the USA in December 1906. His choices were a Rolls-Royce 20hp and a 30hp. Both were exhibited at the New York motor show and the Rolls-Royce 20hp made the headlines when Rolls beat all American competition at a Five Mile Sprint on New York's Empire City Track.