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).
The issues and considerations of fitting shock absorbers to customer cars, detailing required modifications and mixed feedback.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 78\2\ scan0347 | |
| Date | 7th October 1921 | |
| R.R. 235a (100 T) (S H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} 798. 10-12-20) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 2947 Contd. -3- hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}4LG7.10.21. ------------------ necessary that the dampers can be applied to cars already in customers hands. Whenever we have fitted the present R-R Shock absorbers it has always been necessary to alter the mudguard stays, luggage grid brackets and cut away the body in order to obtain the necessary clearance. If we fit the shock absorber with a constant load of 60 to 65 lbs. to the back of the cars, we consider they will need more attention than any other part of the car in order to keep them silent and reliable. We know that in the greater majority of cases they will not receive that attention therefore, we should expect numerous complaints with regard to them. We have fitted shock absorbers to a number of cars; they were fitted to the London Trials Cars - open and closed. PN.{Mr Northey} has stated that the 4-stage shock absorbers spoilt the riding of the Landaulet car and he had them disconnected; lately we have removed them altogether. This car is fitted with the thick leaf springs, gaiters and the springs kept lubricated. The open trial car is fitted with shock absorbers of the 4-stage type and PN.{Mr Northey} is quite satisfied with them. It will be seen from this that we cannot even satisfy our own people with one standard. Mr. Salamanca had shock absorbers fitted to his car. We have not had any repeat orders for shock absorbers from him. Shock absorbers were fitted to the Car I took to U.S.A. but the car came back with them amongst the spares. We recommend that before any decision is made as regards changing all the springs we should carefully consider what is the percentage of complaints and how many of those complaints would | ||