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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).
Policy and costs of fitting shock absorbers to the 40/50 HP car.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 78\2\  scan0356
Date  1st November 1921
  
X3461
Mo R.{Sir Henry Royce} from C.J.
C. to Hoz.
C. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}
C. to PN.{Mr Northey}
C. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}
C. to HJ.
C. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}
C. to Mr.

STAMP: RECEIVED, NOV 16

Re Shock Absorbers. CJS/H17/11/21

Referring to your memo. to PN{Mr Northey}, 22/G5/11/21, re Springing of the 40/50 HP car, you say it was intended that our chassis should have shock dampers on both rear and front axles, the rear axle to be of the progressive order.

If a part is to be added to the chassis, the invariable practice is that you issue instructions that a standardisation sheet should be circularised.

(1920) It appears that at a conference at Derby held on the 1st June/last EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} reported that the shock absorber was not yet standardised and that the changeover could not be carried on but thought that, to fit shock absorbers retrospectively, that is to say, for 312 cars, would cost without establishment charges £6,500.

EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} raised the question as to whether, in view of this cost, the fitting of shock absorbers was to be proceeded with.

He was also doubtful whether the improvement of the car by fitting shock absorbers would be appreciated by the majority of customers.

He recommended that shock absorbers should only be fitted retrospectively for customers who had complained and whose complaints would be overcome by fitting shock absorbers.

It was stated that it had been found necessary to incorporate further designing features in our shock absorber which affect the luggage grid as well as certain shock absorber parts, therefore, we were not in a position to proceed.

On the 8th June you wrote to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}, saying that you were quite in agreement with EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}'s views that the fitting of shock absorbers to existing cars should be left over until we find it is necessary to make this alteration to existing cars.

On the 28th May a standardisation sheet was circulated but Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}, BY and myself endorsed it to the effect that we await the completion of a 10,000 miles trial on the road.
  
  


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