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Cambridge IFS

Hello,

I'm looking for a couple of bits to complete a Cambridge IFS setup. Missing the radius arms, upper arms and shocks. Does anyone still make these, have the dimensions or know which shock absorbers to choose? Whilst on the subject - are they any good? Better or worse than Speedex or Bowden?

Re: Cambridge IFS

Do you mean this type of setup?



This was a car I now own just before I bought it. It had what I understood to be a Cambridge IFS fitted.

It's not very clear in this photo, but the upper member is actually a wishbone which is formed of round tube of about 1 1/8 or 1 1/4" diameter. To anchor the rear wishbone pivots there were chunky aluminium castings which bolted through the outside edge of each chassis sidemember. From memory, all the wishbone pivots used metalastic/silentbloc style bushes.

I removed it from the car and replaced it with an A7 setup when I restored it, not for "religious" reasons (I'm not a purist), but because it was incredibly heavy and looked to have rather suspect geometry in terms of camber change with suspension movement.

Location: N W Kent

Re: Cambridge IFS

Robin

Dave Armstrong's old Speedex site, links to the special builders guide...


http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/speedex/index_files/Page2240.htm


A fantastic resource! If the link works it has pictures of all three.

Regards
Nick

Location: Colchester

Re: Cambridge IFS

Oh... Plus info on shock absorbers.

Location: Colchester

Re: Cambridge IFS

Yep that's the one. Seems like a sturdy old unit. Might be a good option if I can find the rest of the bits.

Location: Suffolk, United Kingdom

Re: Cambridge IFS

Rob,
These are supposed to be good well thought out and made units, they have the advantage of eliminating the weak three sided A7 radius arm. I doubt you'll find the parts you want separately other than buying a complete one, plus they are quite rare - theres many more Speedex and Bowden's out there. If you're keen on reviving it you could set the suspension up statically and measure up the dimensions, getting new upper wishbones made to size - and incorporate an adjustable screw to set the camber right. Have you also got the correct steering cross tube, it's straight across rather than dished? Shockers should be fairly easy, Mini fronts are the same stroke lengths.

I hope you get it going.

Dave

Re: Cambridge IFS

Stuart
What model is your car? One I have just acquired looks very similar (but no IFS!) & I think (!) it is an AG short chassis (150346)tourer. I collect it from the docks on Monday & will see if it has any identifying marks! Bought unseen from a man I have never met and in one of the pictures it was raining! Just the way to buy a car!
David

Re: Cambridge IFS

Dave, yes fortunately I've got the steering track rod albeit a little rusty. Cheers for the info on the shocks. Perfick.

Re: Cambridge IFS

One thing can count on...wont be getting 92,000 miles plus from a tyre as per the post Big Mileage Austin Sevens!

Location: Auckland, NZ

Re: Cambridge IFS

Rob

I've sent you an email.

Leon

Re: Cambridge IFS

David Harrison
Stuart
What model is your car? One I have just acquired looks very similar (but no IFS!) & I think (!) it is an AG short chassis (150346)tourer. I collect it from the docks on Monday & will see if it has any identifying marks! Bought unseen from a man I have never met and in one of the pictures it was raining! Just the way to buy a car!
David


Hi David,
Mine is an AG tourer too, chassis number is 136 thousand and something IIRC and the car was registered in July 1931. From the dated bits (the car seemed quite original apart from the Nippy gearbox and Cambridge front end) it looks to have been built in May '31.

Good luck with your new purchase, I've certainly had some great fun in mine.

Location: N W Kent