Path: utzoo!utgpu!alliant.com!UUCP Reply-To: british-cars@alliant.com Errors-To: british-cars-request@alliant.com Sender: british-cars-request@alliant.com Return-Path: Date: Mon, 12 Feb 90 10:47:26 EST From: Michael Sands Message-ID: <9002121547.AA27395@apple.com> To: british-cars@alliant.com Subject: Re: 1100's, New British Roadster? Newsgroups: list.british-cars Distribution: ut Approved: devnull@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu Scott's explanation of the HydroLastic suspension was very complete with all the details. If I remember correctly, the connection in the hydro part was not diagonal but straight back. The reason for this was a justification that Scott did not mention and that was the benefit of the system for short (extremely short in the Mini's case) wheel base cars. One of the most difficult movements to control in a short wheel base car is the pitching moment on rough surfaces. Imagine this system when the front wheels hit a bump and go up the rears follow! This happens as the fronts compress the fluid as the wheels go up in response to the bump. The rears will follow and the car will remain level. This system is not necessary in longer wheelbase cars as the angular change is not as great and the benefit is lost. Michael