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).
Letter discussing the urgent need for effective front shock absorbers for New Phantom and Silver Ghost cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 55\3\ Scan210 | |
| Date | 12th June 1926 | |
| Oy1-E-61226 June 12, 1926. Mr. Basil Johnson, Rolls-Royce, Ltd., London, England. (Copy for attention of Mr.F.H.Royce " " " " Mr.E.W.Hives) Dear Sir: Re Front Shock Absorbers 1. We are still awaiting definite advice as to the shipment of a set of R.R.hydraulic front shock absorbers. It is becoming increasingly evident from work on New PhantomCodename for PHANTOM Is and Silver Ghost cars with front brakes, and from our attempts to use Lovejoy shock absorbers in front, that the riding qualities of the cars, on our wavy road surfaces, depend more on the front suspension and frictional control of the front springs, than on any other feature. In particular deflections of the rear springs between 6 and 8-1/2" appear comparatively unimportant in their effect on riding. We believe that there is no single thing so important for maintaining the R.R.reputation for superb riding quality, as the provision of adequate front shock absorbers. The riding quality is the outstanding "sales feature" of Rolls Royce cars in this country. We are therefore very anxious to try a set of R.R.front shock absorbers on our roads, with a view to immediate manufacture. 2. Lovejoys in front. I recently wrote that we were trying Lovejoy shock absorbers in front again to try to find something immediately available for service work. The reason for this is that the R.R.friction type will only give sufficient friction in front for best riding with 6-3/4" tires when the leathers are compressed to such an extent that sticking and grunting is very liable to occur. | ||