Rolls-Royce Archives
         « Prev  Box Series  Next »        

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).
History of fitting, testing, and issues with rear shock absorbers.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 78\2\  scan0352
Date  15th November 1921
  
WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}
X3461
X3912
REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS.
Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}5/LG15.11.21:

Referring to CJ2/E10.11.21 attached. It is true that Mr. Royce has persistently recommended rear shock absorbers but at the same time, as you will see from the attached memo. ref. R14/GS.6.21., he was fully aware of the fact that rear shock absorbers were not being fitted and was in agreement with that policy. The real reason rear shock absorbers were no pushed was because our officials who are in direct touch with the customers did not consider they were necessary. They were pushed as regards design and as regards experiments up to the point that we fitted all experimental cars and about twelve customers' cars with these shock absorbers. We were told that the rear shock absorbers spoilt the riding of the London Trials Landaulet and they were taken off. Rear shock absorbers were fitted to Mr. Gibbs' Car and he had them taken off. They were fitted to 4.EX Car which I took to the U.S.A. and they were taken off. Apart from this, shock absorbers that had been used for any length of time, such as those on the London open Trials Car and Lord Rocksavages' Car, gave trouble owing to parts wearing. There has been continuous experimental work on rear shock absorbers and those which we are fitting to-day should be as reliable as we can expect shock absorbers to be.
Referring to paragraph 2. in CJ's note. If Mr. Royce wishes a certain thing to be made standard, he instructs that a standardisation sheet shall be sent round. A standardisatio sheet (which we attach) was sent round for rear shock contd:-
  
  


Copyright Sustain 2025, All Rights Reserved.    whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble
An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙