C1Ride

[John C.]

Does anyone know what helps to gain that smooth ride,is it the shocks,springs,or
coils. I,m going to start with gas shocks first hope that does it.

[Roy B.]

Re: C1Ride

If you've replaced the front coil and rear springs and repro tires .that may be your first problem . Did you? and if so did it ride OK before?

[Terry D.]

Smooth and C1 is an oxymoron! *NM*

[Kent D.]

Re: C1Ride

Gas Shock will not give you the smooth ride that you are looking for.

[John M.]

Re: C1Ride

John,
Although I waould never characterize the ride of any C1 as "smooth", I agree with Roy that the current repro springs that are available, will make it ride like a Radio Flyer wagon! I think that these springs would be just about the right spring rate if you were to drop a cast iron big block in the engine compartment. LOL

Regards, John McGraw

[Roy B.]

Re: C1Ride

So many people think they need to replace the front or rear springs when going through their suspension and then ask why the Corvette rides so hard or it sits to high in the front or back. You hear and see that on many restored Corvettes. They use heavy duty front springs or add five or more rear leaf springs and then complain. I think %75 of all springs were OK but wasn't pretty enough to be used. I've never , never heard of a C1 that replaced the front springs and the owner said the ride got better.( usely road higher then before) ( they will not compress because the spring tension is much higher.)Same in the rear springs. I've said this before, some one needs to measure the spring compression RATE between the original and so called repro's

[Ray C.]

Re: C1Ride

I rode in my first solid axel, a 62 fulie in 1963. Purchased my first solid axel, a 1962 in 1968. It was over 30 years before I could afford another solid axel and I wouldn't trade that ride for anything. I have a 65 and would still rather drive the 61. Maybe I am just crazy or the ride brings back great memories.

Ray #36314

[Robert Willis]

Re: C1Ride

When I put my 57 together I used the original springs that were in the car. Before I got the Vette I had an original 55 Nomad, I would say the Vette rides as good as the Nomad did. The replacement springs must have a different rate.

http://members.kos.net/willisb/

[Debra P.]

Re: C1Ride

I recently purchased the winner of the 2000 "SURVIVOR" award. Everytime I drive this 58 Vette,I am amazed at how great this car rides. I just had to make sure the occasional clank in the rear when I hit a dip in the road was the leaf spring, my mechanic told me,yes.I told him it's been 30 years since i've been in a car with ORIGINAL leaf springs,can't beat the ride.Whoever answered this question with the response that said the compression of the leaf was the answer...he was right.

[Roy B.]

Re: C1Ride

Debra
I also have the original rear springs in my 55 that are weak but not shot. To keep the original springs and make them last do as I did and add AIR shocks. They will support the Corvette rear area keeping the springs from further wear and you can increase the air pressure if you add weight in the trunk. I pull a tear drop trailer, been doing that for 20 years when I go to NCRS meets or what ever. I've added over 100,000 miles to my 55 with the air shocks and still rides great. It's a simple add on and just keep the original shocks for when you NCRS the Corvette

[Terry F.]

Re: C1Ride

I would recomend that people keep their original springs. If they are badly rusted I would search for a good leaf and just replace the leaf. You can also have them recurved. Though, I personally have never done that. There is a place where I live that can do it and build springs any way you want. My car had a bit of a sag front and back. I rebuild the entire suspension and now it sits slightly high. I expect it to settle a bit with time. Terry