Convertible rear springs - 5-leaf or 7-leaf?

[kevin s]

.... replacing the probably 50 year old mineral fluid with a modern formulation will make a big difference to even a standard car.

Shirley, you are not expecting the oil has not been changed in 50 years! I would think most units havebhad attention in that time frame.

You'd hope so but I would bet there are plenty still on ancient oil.

[LaughingBoy]

From my own experience, 7-leaf Traveller springs and Spax adjustables (fitted by a previous owner) on a 2-door saloon resulted in an overly firm, choppy ride, even with the dampers set to their softest settings.

I agree with the above. I had 7-leaf springs with a lowering kit, 13" wheels and Spax adjustables on my 1275 convertible. At the front I had Protech telescopic dampers and an Anti-Roll Bar. Very hard ride so I had the Spax rebuilt 'softer' but they were still too firm for me even on the softest setting. I then switched back to 14" wheels, 5-leaf springs and later on removed the ARB from the front. The ride is now transformed with much less understeer. The Minor's front suspension was designed to be independent and an ARB makes it the opposite! The Protechs seemed to come into their own without the ARB.

Graham