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).
The performance and benefits of Hartford shock absorbers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 78\2\ scan0363 | |
| Date | 7th December 1921 | |
| Contd:- -2- Rs{Sir Henry Royce's Secretary}4/LG7.12.21. ********** easy to adjust they are very useful for making comparative tests so as to be able to appreciate the difference with and without shock absorbers working. We find that we can adjust them so that they have a friction of 75 to 80 lbs. This amount of friction spoils the springing of the car at low speeds over pot-holes but improves the car very much for high-speed work both as regards springing and as regards braking. The ease of adjustment on the "Hartford" is a very strong point in their favour because as soon as a customer or Chauffeur got to appreciate the effects of the different degrees of friction, the shock absorbers could be adjusted to suit the various conditions. If the car was going on a long fast run, the shock absorbers could be tightened up, whereas, if it was only going to be used about town, they could be slacked off altogether. The shock absorbers we are running on 1.EX Car have already run 5000 miles on the Marson Car. There was no sign of any undue wear at any point. It was noticeable at the Olympia show the large percentage of cars which were fitted with Hartford Shock Absorbers. They are also used practically universally on all racing cars. There is very little about them that could give any trouble or wear. - We can buy these shock absorbers for £5. 2. 0 per pair. We recommend that when we have complaints from Owners of cars fitted with thick leaf springs which could be cured by introducing friction, that we recommend to customers to have fitted Hartford Shock Absorbers. contd:- R.R. 199 (250T) (SD676 19-7-17) MP180865 | ||