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).
Standardization and fitting of rear shock absorbers to post-war chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 78\2\ scan0271 | |
| Date | 2nd March 1920 | |
| X.3461 R.{Sir Henry Royce} R.{Sir Henry Royce} 235 A (100 T) (S.F. 846 6-8-19) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 2460 W/S C. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}/T27/F2.3.20. RE. REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS. Replying to your C1/C1.3.20, the following is the position with regard to the fitting of rear shock absorbers:- 1. Rear Shock Absorbers have not yet been standardised, and we cannot therefore send the parts down to be fitted to the Barkers' chassis mentioned by you. 2. Although the shock absorbers have not yet definitely been standardised, we are proceeding with the manufacture of the parts in the works, but regret that these parts are not so far forward as we should have liked, owing to the recent modifications in design. 3. It has not yet been definitely settled to fit these rear shock absorbers to all post-war cars which have been issued. The question of fitting them to post-war chassis before after the first 96 is receiving serious consideration, and post-war chassis except the 1st. 96 are provided with the necessary special petrol tanks on the rear axles, and shortened springs, so that if it is decided to standardise these shock absorbers, and to fit them to all post-war cars delivered after the first 96, these shock absorbers can be easily adopted. The first 96 chassis are not fitted with the special tanks, shortened springs, or special brackets on the axle. In view of the fact that difficulty has been experienced in fitting these shock absorbers on Mr. de Salamancas' car, we realise that Coachbuilders would probably have to modify their bodies when the shock absorbers were fitted, and arrangements have been made for 50 coachbuilders' drawings to be sent to you tomorrow for circulation to the various coachbuilders and we have arranged for the Depots and our Inspectors to have similar blue prints showing the modifications which will be necessary, in the event of shock absorbers being fitted. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}/T. | ||