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
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