[Healeys] Copper Coloured Armstrong Shocks

[Peter Caldwell]

Gents,
         I'm just catching up on the subject.

         From "Armstrong Patents Company Ltd. Product Information 4E 
1st. February 1968"
The publication is information to its agents regarding packaging, 
product number rationalisation, modifications to design, and new 
paint finish, packaging and labelling.
         Under "Paint Finish"
         "The paint finish on all Armstrong shock absorbers is being 
improved and will be a high quality gloss. In addition, units below 
the AT9 and Super 64 will be painted blue instead of black, details 
are as follows:
       All units above AT9 and Super 64 size - Black
       All AT9 and Super 64 - Bronze
       All Roadholder Struts - Bronze
       All others - Blue      "

     This is the earliest mention I have been able to find of the 
bronze color.... 1968. The unit types referred to above are all tube 
type shocks. The lever style shocks are not part of the numbering 
system above. There are pictures of the hydraulic presses and jacks 
and other lifting equipment at the time being the same color.

         From my considerable experience, I don't believe there is 
any significance to the bronze color other than marketing. I 
seriously doubt that it was ever originally used on a vehicle from 
the factory. This was their aftermarket division's scheme.  You 
should see the Armstrong part number stamped on the underside of the 
front shocks, and the underside of a mounting ear on the rears. The 
fronts will often exhibit a date code as well.  there were blue 
painted shocks as well.

Peter c.
=======

At 08:00 PM 3/22/2009, Steve wrote:
>Rich and John,
>             When I purchased my BN7, it had been garaged since 1976.
>I'm told that the original owner use to street race it in Fort
>Lauderdale FL., which would explain why I needed a complete transmission
>rebuild.  When I began disassembly, I too discovered copper colored
>shocks, which were shot, on the front end.  I consulted my restoration
>guide as to the correct color and copper colored shocks are never
>mentioned.  What John says about them being a competition upgrade would
>make sense since the original owner beat the tar out of the tranny.
>Maybe some day I'll have them rebuilt.
>
>Steve Meyer  '61 BN7