Rolls-Royce 15 hp

The Rolls-Royce 15 hp was one of four cars produced as a result of the agreement of 23 December 1904 between Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. Badged as a Rolls-Royce, it was built by Royce's company, Royce Ltd., at its factory in Cooke Street, Hulme, Manchester, and sold exclusively by Rolls' motor dealership, C.S. Rolls and Co., at a price of 500 pounds. It was exhibited at the Paris Salon in December 1904 along with the 10 hp, the 20 hp and the engine for the 30 hp models, but the chassis was incomplete because the new three-cylinder engine was not ready. Three-cylinder engines were quite popular in the early years of motoring and gave less vibration than two-cylinder units and were much simpler to make than a six-cylinder with its long crankshaft. However, Royce built his range from a standard two-cylinder block, and the separately cast cylinders of the three-cylinder engine did not fit that production, which is thought to be why only six were made.