ROVER 12 hp 'Knight'

The ROVER 12 hp 'Knight' is launched on the market with the same euphoria as the 8 hp - text see there -. In many respects there are certain parallels to today's 'time spirit' - behavior.

ROVER describes the 12 hp 'Knight' in his catalogue for the 1911 season as follows:

The new 12 h.p. Rover Car, fitted with a two cylinder new Daimler Engine (96 bore x 130 stroke) has been tested for from four to five month on the road.
It is, throughout, an entire departure from past Rover practice. The unit system of construction of engine clutch and gears is discontinued, the engine and clutch being attached in one piece directly to the frame, and the gear box separately attached to an under frame with universal joints between the back of clutch and the gear box.

The engine is Daimler practice entirely. The two cylinders are cast together; the magneto is driven across the front of the engine; and the carburetter is of the standard Daimler multiple jet automatic pattern.
Lubrication is effected by pumping from a sump to troughs under the ends of the connecting rods which are fitted with scoops, and by adjusting the height of these troughs, perfect lubrication is ensured.

The clutch is of the well known Rover patent metal plate pattern, the plates being of steel and phosphor bronze. The gear box has three speeds and reverse, and is operated by a gate change in place of the usual Rover special quadrant.
Great care has been taken, by means of stuffing glands, etc., to prevent any possibility of oil leakages from the gear box, and the change speed lever and the gate quadrant are connected to the gear box direct by a tubular aluminium casting, insuring an absolute absence of strain between any of these parts, and perfect gear changing.

A metal under shield is fitted under engine and back to the gear box, and up to this point 10½ ins of ground clearance is provided.
The very satisfactory universal joint of the De Dion type is fitted at the back of the gear box and is very easy of kubrication. This joint is thoroughly covered in and protected. Between the front and back cases covering the joint is a specially moulded rubber cover is fitted (lined with an oil resisting substance) which gives flexibility, and will not allow oil or grease to escape.

There is no counter shaft brake fitted behind the gear box, but both brakes are fitted on two seperate drums on the back wheels, and are of the internal expanding type, the larger or outside brake being worked by the foot pedal.
The back axle is made of weldless tubes hydraulically pressed and rivetted into centres, and is a worm drive with a worm on top of the worm wheel.

The heights of engine clutch and gears in the frame are such that the transmission, when the body is fitted, is all in a straight line, so that very little movement takes place in the universal joint. The back wheels, ehich are fitted on to squares on the outer ends of the back axle shafts, are carried on ball bearings on the steel tubes of the back axle, so that the shafts have only to take the driving strain.

The car is driven through the springs. But all brake and other strains are taken by means of a ball on the front under part of the propellor shaft casing, which takes a bearing on a cross member of the frame.
The standard body is a five seater, flush sided Torpedo type, with a petrol tank in the scuttle dash.. Owing to the position of the starting handle on the engine, it is impossible to fit the shield shape radiator usually identified with the larger Rover cars, but is fitted instead with a plain oblong radiator of the honeycomb type.
The engine develops 19 to 20 horse power on the brake. The car is fast and a splendig hill climber."

Sources
	ROVER Catalogue 1911 Cars with Knight - Engine
	ROVER Catalogue 1912
	Rover Enthusiast Magazine James Taylor, 2007-03
	1908-1914 Motor Car Red Book