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).
Fitting of 'Lovejoy' shock absorbers on American cars versus the 'Hartford' type for Rolls-Royce cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 78\2\ scan0390 | |
| Date | 11th July 1924 | |
| Y3461 Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}9/H11.7.24. re. American Cars - Fitting of Shock Absorbers. BJ. points out that according to information received from Springfield they are now fitting "Lovejoy" shock absorbers as standard, and are recommending these to be fitted on cars retrospectively. He asks us to let him know if anything is known of these shock absorbers in England and if R.{Sir Henry Royce} has been consulted as to whether he agrees to them being fitted to R-R cars. I should be glad if you could let me have any information on this matter so that I can let BJ. have full information in regard to same. As a matter of fact in my inspection visits and is discussions with Oy., I have certainly expressed the view that we at Derby consider the 40/50 car should be fitted with shock absorbers and have recommended Hartfords. I am quite sure in comparing the two cars the springing of the American car requires shock absorbers. They appreciate that shock absorbers are necessary but 'pooh-pooh' the idea of fitting Hartfords, which they state are only fit for the scrap heap. They proceeded to experiment with various types of shock absorbers and it would appear that they have now settled on the "Lovejoy" shock absorber as being "the thing". I understand the shock absorber is an oil type controlled by spring loaded valve, but I have not been able to obtain any further particulars. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||