From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Viability, cost, and testing of fitting Hartford shock absorbers to cars.
| Identifier | Morton\M1.1\ img099 | |
| Date | 1st October 1921 | |
| R.R. 235A (50 T) (S H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} 958, 19-2-21) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 3968 C. to From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C. to CJ. C. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} C. to De. C. to SY. C. to HP. ORIGINAL HaS/LCSH.10.21. X2628 X4329 X4426 SHOCK ABSORBERS. In order to overcome the complaints caused by the absence of friction in thick leaf springs, we have looked into the question of whether we could buy a shock absorber which could be easily fitted to the rear of our cars. *The cost of supplying and fitting a pair of R-R Shock Absorbers to a customers' car is, we understand about £30.* This price is so far in excess of what customers expect to pay for shock absorbers that we do not think we shall get many to agree to bear the cost. The Marmon Car is fitted with Hartford Shock Absorbers. We have noted the performance of these shock absorbers on that car, not so much as regards their effect because the Marmon springing without shock absorbers is very well damped, but as regards their reliability. *During the 5000 miles which we have run the car, the shock absorbers have remained silent in action, they have maintained their friction consistently and they have required no attention.* The Hartford Shock Absorber is becoming increasingly popular and is being fitted to a number of cars. Our trouble in the past with all shock absorbers has been to find one which would give sufficient range of movement to suit our springing. The Hartford, however, will do this. *We are removing a pair of these shock absorbers from the Marmon car and are fitting them on to one of our cars.* The price we have been quoted for a pair of these shock absorbers is £6. Contd. | ||