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).
Costs, reliability, and testing of shock absorbers for consideration as a standard part.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 78\2\ scan0357 | |
| Date | 11th November 1921 | |
| To H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} from CJ. re Shock Absorbers. CJS/E17/11/21 - 2 - You endorsed it: 'Agreed, certainly in this case wait for thorough test.' At the present time apparently we have completed only 8,000 miles on the road. Material was obtained and about 900 pairs put in hand. Of these 60 pairs were completely fitted up. The present position is that the (Works) are waiting for a definite decision as to whether the shock absorbers are good enough and sufficiently reliable and necessary to be fitted as a standard part. The cost (without profit) of manufacturing and fitting rear shock absorbers, if instructed prior to assembly of the chassis will be £18 a pair. If instructed after the delivery of the chassis to test, but chassis not tested, the cost would be £19.5 per pair. If instructed after the chassis has been declared off test, the cost would be £20.10 per pair. These costs of course have not been included in the figures of cost of the chassis on which we based our chassis price. The expenditure on changing springs retrospectively and on fitting rear shock absorbers retrospectively and prospectively would be so heavy that the matter, it seems to me, requires the closest consideration. Sales came to the conclusion that 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 was taken to the United States, and they were taken off. Shock absorbers that have been used for any length of time, such as those on the London Open Trials Car and on Lord Rocksavage's car, gave trouble owing to parts wearing. The Works say that continuous experimental work on rear shock absorbers has been carried out and those we are fitting to-day should be as reliable as we can expect shock absorbers to be. CJ. | ||