Rolls-Royce V-8
The world's first production V8 passenger car, designed to rival electric town cars.
- Power
- 20 bhp
- Top speed
- 26 mph
About the Rolls-Royce V-8
The 1905 Rolls-Royce V-8 was a radical departure for Henry Royce, designed specifically to compete with the silence and smoothness of contemporary electric town cars. It featured a 90-degree V8 engine with a remarkably low profile, allowing it to be mounted under the floor in the 'Invisible Engine' Landaulet version or under a low bonnet in the 'Legalimit' phaeton. Despite its technical novelty, the model was a commercial failure due to its complexity and the governed speed limit of 20 mph, which frustrated early motorists. Only three examples were ever completed, and today it holds the distinction of being the only Rolls-Royce model with no known survivors.
Rolls-Royce V-8 specs
The Rolls-Royce V-8 produces 20 bhp (15 kW). It has a top speed of 26 mph (42 km/h).
| Make | Rolls-Royce |
|---|---|
| Model | V-8 |
| Trim | 3.5 |
| Years | 1905–1906 |
| Type | Classic |
| Body style | Landaulet |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | About 3 built |
| Engine | 3.5-litre side-valve V8 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 3,535 cc (3.5 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 20 bhp (15 kW) |
| Top speed | 26 mph (42 km/h) |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
Rolls-Royce V-8 rarity in CarSpot
The Rolls-Royce V-8 is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 100 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Rolls-Royce V-8 fun facts
- The 'Legalimit' version was factory-governed to 20 mph to ensure the driver could not break the British speed limit of the era.
- It was the first V8 engine ever designed specifically for a passenger car, predating Cadillac's mass-produced V8 by nearly a decade.
- Only one example was ever sold to a private customer, Sir Alfred Harmsworth, who later returned it to the factory to be scrapped.
