Rolls-Royce 10 hp

Infobox Automobile


name = Rolls-Royce 10 hp
manufacturer = Rolls-Royce Ltd
production = 1904 - 1906
16 made
class =
body_style =
engine = 1800 later 1995cc
transmission = three speed
length = Auto mm|3175|1
width = Auto mm|1400|1
height =
weight =
wheelbase = Auto mm|1905|1
successor =
designer = Sir Henry RoyceThe Rolls-Royce 10 hp was the first car produced by Rolls-Royce and introduced in 1904 at the formation on the company. It was exhibited at the Paris Motor Salon in that year along with 15hp and 20hp cars and engine for the 30hp models. The 10hp was similar to the first car built by Sir Henry Royce originally sold as a "Royce" in 1903. Unlike the Royce car, which had a flat topped radiator, the Rolls-Royce featured one with a triangular top which would appear on all subsequent cars.

The engine is a water-cooled twin cylinder of 1800 cc enlarged to 1995 cc on later cars, with overhead inlet and side exhaust valves,The Rolls-Royce Motor Car. Anthony Bird and Ian Hallows. Batsford Books. 2002 ISBN 07134 8749 6] and based on the original Royce engine but with an improved crankshaft. The power output was Convert|12|hp|kW|0|abbr=on at 1000 rpm. The car has a top speed of Auto mph|39|0. There is a transmission brake fitted behind the gearbox operated by foot pedal and internal expanding drum brakes on the back axle operated by the handbrake lever. Springing is by semi-elliptic leaf springs on both front and rear axles. It is a small car with a wheelbase of Auto in|75|0 and a track of Auto in|48|0.

It was intended to make a run of 20 of the cars but only 16 were made as it was thought that a twin-cylinder engine was not appropriate for the marque. The last 10hp was made in 1906.

Rolls-Royce did not provide the coachwork. Instead, the cars were sold in chassis form for the customer to arrange his own body supplier, with Barker recommended.

Four are believed to survive: the oldest, a 1904 car registered U44, chassis 20154, was sold for GBP3.2 million (approx GBP3.6 million after commission and taxes) to a private collector by Bonham's auctioneers in December 2007, AX 148 from 1905, chassis 20162, belongs to the UK Science Museum Collection and is usually on display in the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry and SU 13 chassis 20165 from 1907 belongs to Bentley Motors. A fourth car, chassis 20159 is believed to be in a private collection. [Bonhams auctioneers. Sale notes 3 December 2007]

References

* [http://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/ Rolls-Royce Motor Cars] accessed 2 February 2006