<VV> RE: Shocks / interchange / LM

[Andy Clark]

Has anyone used SPAX shocks? They are adjustable by turning a small screw
with a slotted screw driver. I have a set in the sedan, and am more than
happy with the control they give as well as the civilized ride.
Andy Clark
1966 140/4 Monza Sedan
1966 140/4 Yenko Clone
1966 180/4 Cord 8/10 #60
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Elliott" <corvair at fnader.com>
To: <AeroNed at aol.com>
Cc: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2006 5:01 AM
Subject: Re: <VV> RE: Shocks / interchange / LM


>
> The story as I understand it is that Koni made a run of its actual
> Corvair shocks for late model either by mistake or as a test. Anyway,
> they ALL ended up in the hands of a single non-Corvair vendor who was
> trying to figure out what to do with them. Word got out and he sold a
> few sets directly...then Clarks bought them all from him and began
> reselling. I had placed an order directly with the original vendor just
> as Clarks bought them all, so they canceled my order and sent me to
> Clarks (where I paid rather dearly for my lack of haste.... don't get me
> wrong, they are still a great buy, but they were dirt cheap from the
> initial vendor)
>
> Now whether this prompted Koni to make another run I can't say... I
> thought that Clarks had all there were in the world and once gone they
> were gone. If Koni is actually still making them that would be AWESOME
news.
>
> Something similar happened with Carerra. A Corvair racer assisted
> Carerra in developing a Corvair-specific shock back in the 80's...
> Carerra has a "specials" shop that would essentially build to order...
> so some of us have run Carerras for a long time... Then the specials
> shop essentially shut down... I'm not sure exactly how Clarks convinced
> Carerra to put the Corvair shocks into actual production, but they
> did... using the original design but (buying in quantity) were able to
> get a couple of the mounting compromises improved... and selling them
> retail for the same price we were buying the "specials" built wholesale.
> Unfortunately, I understand that Carerra has discontinued that line as
> well... leaving no really good Corvair-specific shock in production for
> us (unless Koni is still making them).
>
> As a comparison, the Carerras are best in control and available
> stiffness, but they ride very rough. The Corvair specific Konis don't
> have quite the control the Carerras have, but have a much better ride.
> The Corvair-specific Bilsteins have the best of both worlds with nearly
> the control of the Carerras but a ride as good as the Konis. The only
> other shock I've found acceptable are the adjustable Gabriels... a good
> shock for a street car, but a definite level down in control from these
> I've listed.
>
> I have not tried either the non-Corvair Konis nor the KYB's which
> another vendor sells. I would expect either of them to be pretty decent
> performers.
>
> Bill
>
> AeroNed at aol.com wrote:
>
> >Isn't Koni making shocks for the Corvair today? Lee Grimes, former
Corvair
> >racer and Koni North American Koni sales manager was at the Performance
> >workshop. He said that Clark's is selling them.