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).
Testing and benefits of fitting Hartford shock absorbers to various car models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 51\4\ Scan018 | |
| Date | 3rd January 1922 | |
| 1/Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X4426 PN {Mr Northey} 7/DN/3.1.22. Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} JAN 5 1922 RECEIVED TO BJ. c. to Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} and H. {Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} SHOCK ABSORBERS. When at the Works on Friday, the 30th ult., I made some tests with Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} on one of our 40/50 experimental cars fitted with Hartford shock absorbers. I understand that this pair of shock absorbers had already run upwards of 13,000 miles on an American car before being fitted to our car. Our car provided undoubtedly a very excellent example of "jazzing", bouncing and inability to keep its wheels on the road on application of the brakes. As a result of the tests we made, both with the shock absorbers in operation and without them, I am of the opinion and in agreement with Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} that they constitute a most valuable and effective improvement. Undoubtedly we have now available a simple means of dealing with practically every case of spring trouble which may arise. These shock absorbers have the additional advantages:- (1) That they are cheap, i.e. under £6. a pair, and can be fitted by us to a car for an inclusive charge of £10. (2) The clearances necessary are easy and do not require parts to be cut out either from the body or wings, as in the case of the R.R. shock absorbers. Whilst many-stage shock absorbers, such as the R.R. type, have certain advantages, they have the disadvantage of not being so effective on a "pot-holey" road. Also wear and tear and development of rattles tend to take place early with the Rolls-Royce type. I am proposing to fit the Hartford type to 81-TW - Open Demonstration Car - as soon as possible, in order that we can extend our experience in as many channels as are available of this device. I am having this type also fitted to the Rocksavage Riviera car, which depends more than any car I know, upon effective shock absorbers. PN. {Mr Northey} | ||