30 hp
(1904-1906)
Model : 6 - cylinder
Year : 1904 - 1906
Stroke : 5"
c.c. : 6,177
h.p. : 30
Clutch : Leather lined cone type
Gearbox : Four speed (overdrive fourth)
Suspension : Semi-elliptic front. Platform rear.
Brakes : Transmission foot-brake. handbrake operates on rear wheels.
Wheelbase : Short - 9' 8 1/2", Long 9' 10"
Track : 4' 8"
Number made : 40
Chassis Made : £890
The first six-cylinder engine, the Rolls-Royce 30 hp was first exhibited at the Paris Salon in December 1904.
Most of Rolls' clientele preferred more powerful vehicles than the 10 hp and 15 hp and decided in favour of a Rolls-Royce 20 hp or a 30 hp. The 30 hp offered six-cylinders, a development which was new not only to Rolls-Royce but to the automobile industry as a whole.
A severe problem occurred with torsional flexibility of the crank-shaft, a condition which was exacerbated as engine length increased. The problem afflicted the six-cylinder engine to the extent that crankshaft failure occurred. Royce became aware of these difficulties during test runs at the factory, and, although he could only incorporate slight changes, this trouble never occurred with a car when in the hands of a customer.
A rolls-Royce 30 hp was entered for the Scottish Reliability Trials 1906 and the car emerged victorious.