Rover 8 (1919-1925)

Rover 8
Overview
Manufacturer - Rover
Production - 1919-1925 / 17,700 made
Designer - Jack Sangster
Body and chassis
Body style - open 2-seater or 4-seater / fixed head coupé / light commercial chassis
Powertrain
Engine - 1.0 or 1.1 L two-cylinder side valve
Transmission - 3 speed manual, with reverse
Dimensions
Wheelbase - 88 inches (2,235 mm) or 94 inches (2,388 mm)
Length - 123 inches (3,124 mm) or 135 inches (3,429 mm)
Width - 58 inches (1,473 mm)
Kerb weight - 1,120 lb (510 kg)
Chronology
Successor - Rover 9/20

The Rover 8 light car announced in October 1919 was designed by Jack Sangster largely before he joined Rover. Built in a new factory in Tyseley, Birmingham it was driven to Coventry to have its body fitted. It was a great sales success for the company.
The air-cooled, side valve, engine was a horizontally opposed twin and was originally of 998 cc capacity, with a bore of 85 mm and a stroke of 88 mm, but this was increased to 1134 cc with a 100 mm stroke in 1923. This did not affect the RAC hp rating, which remained 8 hp. The original engine had a peak output of 13 bhp (10 kW) at 2600 rpm. Although there was a conventional looking radiator it was a dummy. Cooling was supplied through air scoops on the side of the bonnet and it was rumoured that after hard driving at night the cylinder heads could be seen glowing red through them. Two cross-members of the frame supported at three points the assembled unit of engine and clutch and a three speed gearbox with reverse. The rear wheels were driven through a fabric joint and propellor shaft to a universal joint and an under-worm wheel type rear axle. A dynamo was belt driven from the propeller shaft. An electric starter was optional from 1923. A six volt lighting set was provided.
The chassis was a simple perimeter frame with quarter-elliptic leaf springs all around. This cantilever springing and the rack and pinion steering were both regarded as unusual at the time. Wheels were steel and detachable. Brakes were fitted to the rear wheels only with a separate set of shoes for the handbrake. The wheelbase was extended from 88 inches (2,200 mm) to 94 inches (2,400 mm) in 1924 to allow genuine four seat bodies to be offered including a fabric four seat saloon.
Open two seater bodies with dickie seats were usual but an open 3 or 4-seater body was shown at the October 1922 Motor Show on a wheelbase 6 in (150 mm) longer at 94 in (2,400 mm) and a few closed 2 seater coupés were also made from 1923 as well as light commercials.
The car cost £230 in 1919, but was reduced to £139 by 1925. It could attain 45 mph (72 km/h) and could return 45 mpg‑imp (6.3 L/100 km; 37 mpg‑US).
Optional extras included: non-standard colour £5, speedometer £7, side curtains to hood completely enclosing the body £3.
In November 1921 engine lubrication was improved and the body given more room inside. Its shape's appearance was also improved.
Improved valves were fitted from October 1922 made of special steel to remedy over-heating.
The Rover 8 was made under licence in Germany, with a slightly larger engine, by Peter-und-Moritz between 1921 and 1923.
Road test by The Times
The motoring correspondent of The Times reported in October 1922 the car's road manners were an agreeable surprise, it was astonishing how little one missed the other two cylinders. There was no speedometer but the maximum on a level road seemed to be about 40 mph (64 km/h). Seating was comfortable with adequate room all round. A driver's side door was missed. Altogether a great little car.

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