The 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, and based on the original Royce engine but with an improved crankshaft. The power output was 12 hp (9 kW) at 1000 rpm. The car has a top speed of 39 mph (63 km/h). 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 75 in (1905 mm) and a track of 48 in (1219 mm).
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.
Manufacturer
Rolls-Royce Ltd
Production
1904 – 1906
16 made
Engine(s)
1800 later 1995cc
Transmission(s)
three speed
Wheelbase
1905 mm (75 in)
Length
3175 mm (125 in)
Width
1400 mm (55.1 in)
Designer
Sir Henry Royce
All in Cars 