shocks

I'm speculating that could change. His product is so highly regarded, whatever price he determines, still brings buyers in droves.
 
Yes, I'm sure that the Stipe shocks are better but cost way more. I'm getting by purdy good with friction shocks. I'm not sure if friction shocks are available in sets anymore . I think that Speedway still sells front friction shocks on line. The rear friction shocks have longer angled arms. The arms on the front shocks can be bent and will work on the rear. I'm running a set of modified front friction shocks on the rear of my speedster
 
Just received my set of 4 shocks from what Bill claims will be his final manufacturing run. He wants to retire to KY. I sent a deposit to get on his list 7 months ago. Final cost: $1100 for 4, plus shipping.

John
 
Before Hershey, I was on the fence about getting on the wait list. In the end, I decided that I wanted to rebuild my own...at least try. Hope I didn't make the wrong choice.
 
Purdy Swoft said:
Yes, I'm sure that the Stipe shocks are better but cost way more. I'm getting by purdy good with friction shocks. I'm not sure if friction shocks are available in sets anymore . I think that Speedway still sells front friction shocks on line. The rear friction shocks have longer angled arms. The arms on the front shocks can be bent and will work on the rear. I'm running a set of modified front friction shocks on the rear of my speedster
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Purdy, I just checked these Offenhauser Nostalgia Friction Shocks out on the Speedway site. At $100/pair, they deserve consideration, but how much work did it require to fit them to your speedster? And could the same be fitted to an otherwise stock A?

Got any photos of yours (front and rear) that you could share here? :)
 
Also wondering if it's got to be all or nothing with shocks? i.e. Is it possible to just set up front OR rear, and if so, what would be your priority?
 
I dont think there is any doubt that they are the best on the market. The ride is exceptional but then again so is the cost. A lot of factors to be weighed before you invest that much money.
Wayne
 
Hoogah said:
Purdy, I just checked these Offenhauser Nostalgia Friction Shocks out on the Speedway site. At $100/pair, they deserve consideration, but how much work did it require to fit them to your speedster? And could the same be fitted to an otherwise stock A?

Got any photos of yours (front and rear) that you could share here? :)
Click to expand...

Speedway once listed two styles of friction shocks Here is some pics of the style that I use . These pics show front friction shocks on the rear of my speedster that I bent and fitted . I dissassembled the shocks , clamped the straight arms in my vise and bent the arms as needed. The arms are shorter on the front shocks but they still work.

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Here is a pic of the front friction shoch mounted on the front with the straight unbent arm

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Here iare some pics of the correct rear friction shocks with the longer angled rear arms on my september 29 strip down . Speedway doesn't offer these. I got these courtesy my friend Carl G.

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I hope this gives some idea. This is the best pics that I have. It was easier to take these pics because these two model A's don't have fenders. I run a set on my roadster but it is full fendered and I would have needed to remove the wheels to take the pictures. I did need to shim the rear shocks a bit from the frame so that the arms cleared the rear inner fender panels on the roadster but none of it was that difficult to do. These shocks are adjustable and stabalize the ride and make the cars safer. I make no claim that friction shocks are as good as the more expensive Stipe hydraulic shocks. They are a sort of period correct copy of some accessory shocks offered in the past. They are kinda popular on speedsters . I like them and they work for me .
 
You Model A guys might consider the MGB rear shocks. They bolt to existing frame holes and can be had reasonably and work real well. I have them on the front end of my Model B tudor
 
Hoogah said:
Also wondering if it's got to be all or nothing with shocks? i.e. Is it possible to just set up front OR rear, and if so, what would be your priority?
Click to expand...


As for my experience with friction shocks, In 1974 or 5 , I ordered a set of Ansen shocks that are like the shocks that I pictured above. I received the front pair but the rear shocks were backordered and I never got them . I went ahead and installed the front shocks on our 31 coupe and could notice a good improvement over no shocks at all. Later in the mid 90s , I bought a complete set of repro hydraulic shocks that were available at the time and installed them on the coupe. I really could see no improvement over having just the friction shocks on the front, maybe not even as good . These hydraulic shocks soon began to leak and I have been very unhappy with them .

Actually , shocks of any kind will help prevent the front crossmember from cracking. With no shocks on the front, the front crossmember eventually cracks.
 
Thanks Purdy - just what I was looking for. I've saved those piccies for future reference.
 
Kahuna said:
You Model A guys might consider the MGB rear shocks. They bolt to existing frame holes and can be had reasonably and work real well. I have them on the front end of my Model B tudor
Click to expand...

Do you use MGB arms or Model A arms?
Will they work on all 4 corners?
Can you post a picture?
 
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