Shall we start with the new? It has taken a while, but we have finally sorted out the rear damping on the MG5 EV estate car. From launch, this car has offered a cosseting secondary ride but rather large wheel arch gaps and woeful body control when the road is challenging. The wheel arch gaps were quickly sorted by our Eibach lowering spring kit. We also took the opportunity to increase the rear wheel rate, adding ride progression but also greater agility. Job done. Well not quite. Some of our clients asked for greater body control and our new offering does just that. A pair of monotube dampers (made for us as usual by Bilstein), carefully matched to the mass of the car provides a simple bolt-on solution to the ‘bouncy’ and ‘pitchy’ ride.
Something old? That will be our MG ZR struts and dampers made to the original MG Rover specifications. We did the engineering work a couple of years ago, which resulted in a batch of parts being made for us by Bilstein. Great quality parts and faithful to the original characteristics. It has kept cars on the road and track – especially those used in club motorsport where originality is a prerequisite in the ‘standard’ class. However, we did have a problem, in that we sold out too quickly. Having had further requests from ZR owners (and other models that share the same architecture such as Rover 200, 25, BRM, Tomcat front.…) we have ordered another batch. So new old parts if you see what I mean. They are being allocated on a first come, first served basis, secured by a deposit. Please contact us to place your order.
Something borrowed or something blue? Well, neither to be honest. But we did spend some time setting the geometry on a fascinating car. Do you think that a Toyota Corolla is worthy but mundane, sensible yet bland? Think again. This one is being prepared for the art of drifting. And yes, the front axle geometry in the photograph is ‘post adjustment’ (to the client’s specification I hasten to add)! There is quite a list of jobs to be tackled – stopping the springs unloading front and rear will be a good start – but incredibly, the front bump steer looks to be quite sensible, despite the hub to strut spacers and longer track rods. The drift scene? If it challenges the vehicle dynamicist (and the driver) then count me in.
Something old is probably me, but something new continues at VHS Ltd.