Unusual MG TA Front Shockers

[Mike O'Brien]

I'm looking for some assistance in identifying the shockers on my 1937 MG TA (see attached photo). I have had some feedback from a couple of British Facebook members who have them fitted to a TA and a TB.

My understanding, so far, is that they are some kind of competition shocker. But that's about all I know so far. Unfortunately the previous owner who fitted them passed away a few years ago.

Any assistance greatly appreciated.

[Duncan M]

Sure a lot of interest in hydraulic bits of late. Something wrong with them?

Looks similar to a rotary damper which were common pre-War, except for the big fill plug or adjuster.

[Steve Simmons]

Similar but definitely different than the stock rotary shocks. I'm flipping through my notes but not finding anything yet.

EDIT: Just checked with a friend who has the identical shock, and it's marked:

Girling
T
2
57

[Rob Reilly]

Here is the rotary shock that was on the right rear of my '37 TA when it came to me.
The front ring is stamped "HYDRAULIC" and "...OUDAILL..." and there may be more but I can't read the rest because it is rusted solid, the arm won't turn.

On the back it is stamped P1516X HE Co. 5 and a triangle.

I'm pretty sure it's Houdaille Hydraulic Suspension Co. that made it.
Maurice Houdaille was a Frenchman who invented recoil-less artillery in WW1 and from that developed his rotary shock manufacturing, which had subsidiaries in the UK and Detroit.

[Mike O'Brien]

Thanks very much for the information. It's helped a lot. Particularly the code from Steve.

[Mike O'Brien]

I contacted Graham Brown (Vintage & Classic Shock Absorbers). He was able to provide the comprehensive answer to question. Graham write:

"These were made by Girling after they took over Luvax. Generally quite a well made unit, but one problem was that they made them to fit either a splined or cotter pin arm and with the cotter pin fitting the contact area in the bore of the arm is only on the tops of the spline and the arms tend to work loose and wear the end of the shaft."

This is consistent with Steve's comment regarding the markings on his friend's shocker (Girling T257).