Suspension
Classic suspension, perfected for today
Suspension is one word that covers a great deal of ground. Before making changes, it’s important to ask yourself three key questions:
- Condition — how good is it now compared with when it was new?
- Feel — what characteristics would I like to change to suit my driving style?
- Geometry — how will upgrading components affect the overall setup?
Answering these questions ensures your suspension is improved in a way that enhances both safety and enjoyment, without compromising the essence of your classic.
What Components Make up Suspension?
Every suspension system is built around three key elements:
- Springs — These determine the car’s ride height and, to some extent, ride firmness. Shorter or more tightly wound springs reduce deflection, lowering the car but often making the ride harsher.
- Dampers — Oil or gas-filled tubes that control how springs deflect. Softer damping allows more movement and a smoother ride, but also increases body roll. Firmer damping improves control but reduces comfort.
- Bushes — Rubber mounts that isolate moving components from the chassis or body shell. Small in size, but with a major influence on handling, comfort, and feedback.
Most classics were designed with relatively compliant suspension, which prioritises comfort but can be improved. With carefully chosen upgrades, road holding, body roll, and driver confidence can all be enhanced. The key is balance too much stiffness and ride quality suffers, leaving the car unsettled on uneven roads.
Springs
Classic cars typically use one of three types of spring, all of which can wear out over time. Springs either lose their natural elasticity or, in some cases, break entirely. Replacing them can transform the way your car drives, restoring comfort, balance, and control.
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Coil Springs
The most familiar type, made from high-tensile steel. They may wrap around the damper (coil-overs) or sit between suspension arms, holding them apart. -
Leaf Springs
Horizontal to the road and mounted to the axle, these are simple, strong, and durable. Originally developed for horse-drawn carts, they remain in use on around 50% of classics and are still common on modern trucks. -
Torsion Bars
Long steel rods that twist as the suspension moves. Once fitted, they are easily adjustable. Tightening them firms the ride and lowers the height. Found in cars such as the Jaguar E-Type (front) and many rear-engined VWs.
Spring Upgrades
The most popular upgrade is a lowering spring. Shorter and firmer than standard, these reduce ride height and sharpen handling. However, lowering also alters suspension geometry, affecting steering response and tyre wear. For best results, lowering springs should always be paired with matched dampers and followed by a professional four-wheel alignment.
Shock Absorbers
Most classics are fitted with one of two types of shock absorber:
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Lever Arm Shocks
Found on many older British cars such as MGs and Bristols. These can either be rebuilt to original specification or replaced with a modification that allows the fitment of coil-overs. -
Telescopic Shocks
More conventional gas- or oil-filled cylinders, mounted between the wheel arch and lower arm. Many are adjustable, allowing firmness to be tuned once fitted.
Whilst we partner with SPAX (one of our Technical partners), the right choice depends on both the car and the driving characteristics you want to emphasise. For example, we recommend Koni dampers for early Porsche 911s and Bilstein for 1980s BMWs.
If you’re considering a suspension upgrade, the best place to start is a conversation. Ideally over a cup of tea in our workshop!
Bushes
From the factory, most classics were fitted with rubber bushes. Renewing them today with high-quality OEM replacements can make a remarkable difference. The squeaks and clunks disappear, steering feedback improves, and ride quality is restored, often making the car feel as tight and composed as it did when new.
Poly Bushes
For those considering something firmer, polyurethane bushes are often marketed as a “cure-all” solution. In reality, they need to be chosen with care. Many are simply too hard for classics, transmitting harshness directly through the chassis.
Body-on-frame cars such as Triumph TRs and Jaguar XKs can suffer in particular, with bumps turning into shudders throughout the structure. Unless for racing, where comfort is not the priority, we recommend only heritage-spec poly bushes, which are much softer and more sympathetic.
In unibody cars like the Porsche 911, MGB, or Jaguar E-Type poly bush can work well for a fast-road setup, but it’s still a matter of balance. With so many aftermarket options available, the best approach is to speak with us. We’ll help select the right specification for your car, your driving style, and your expectations.
Get Your Car Booked in Today
With a dedicated service team we can provide a rapid response for servicing and MOT’s. Call us or click the button below to contact us and we can have your classic collected and on the ramp in just 24 hours!
CALL – 01869 221 870