mk1-forum.net

I have just bought a new Mk 2 project. Had a quick glance round it and noted it was on hydro with the benefit of shocks on the front. Great. All sits level.
On further inspection and after looking at the lengthy service history it appears to have been fitted with Spax shocks all round but what is peculiar is that the the springs are wrapped tightly round the shock body. (Bit like grass track/old motorbike shock.) What puzzled me more was that the hydro units were missing and even more odd was there aren't any trumpets in their place???? The car was used up until last month and is MOTd. The guy used it and said it drove lovely. Without an engine I can't make any judgement. I bought it minus the 1071 engine it had fitted! My question is what is this suspension arrangement, do I need suspension trumpets and is it any good? I think my distant past tells me they are really impressive but I am not really into heavily modded cars. Cheers .Mark

they are coil overs -

to fit them you remove the alloy trumpet and the rubber cone (or displacer) and enjoy a rock hard spoiled ride as a result..........



on an aside, i went out for a thrash (sorry, drive (just in case owner is reading!)) of a fully restored mk3 s yesterday that was running on hydro with standard front shocks - it was fantastic, like a magic carpet ride, with none of the pitching that you get on a car without the shocks. i hadnt driven a car for years on hydro and had forgotton how good it was.

Rich, My Mk 1 S is hydrolastic. Over the years during the restoration I very nearly binned it. As they became more valuable if original I decided to keep it and even without shocks on the front it is superb. Surprised how comfy it actually is Vs a bone- jarring 'dry' Mini.

I put my '66 S back to Hydro a couple of years ago and I would never consider going back to rubber. It is superb and handles beautifully.

Al

I found my 67 hydrolastic suspension rocked to much under acceleration. I put on the competition bump stops all around and put on the damper kit on the front. It handles awesome now. Takes about an hour and half to install everything.