by Tom Stoyle in the March 2003 RootesReview
Maybe some of you members out there are experiencing the same problem that I did. That problem happened to be fatigued rear springs. My car sat too low in the rear even without a load and that made for poor roadability when loaded with two persons and luggage. Solution? Replace the rear springs with new or have the old ones re-attached, right? Wrong.
I got to thinking … there must bean easier and more simple way. “Hey, air shocks,” I thought. But could I find some that would fit and do the job? I took one of my rear Koni shocks off and with me to the store to see if I could find an air adjustable shock that would fit. The clerk at the local auto parts store was very helpful and even knew what a Sunbeam Tiger was. After some searching in his parts catalogs, he went to the storeroom and came back with a set of shocks. Because of the difference in construction of the air shock and the Koni, I could not immediately tell if the shock would fit the clearances of the Tiger shock mount. The mounting setup was the same, though, and the prospects looked encouraging. I bought them at a cost of $70.00 for the pair and was assured that if they did not fit I could return them for a full refund.
Next, I jacked the car up and – much to my delight – bolted the first one right in with no clearance problems. Suffice to say I put the other one in and hooked up the air tubes and nozzle. I put the air to the nozzle and, presto, up went the rear of the car.
These shocks carry anywhere from a minimum of 20 lbs. to 120 I have found that 35 lbs. of air pressure is fine in my case and keeps the car at the right attitude as well as riding reasonably well.
If any of you good members are having the same problem that I was, it may be a good way to go; and it gives you the capability of changing the ride height, which the regular springs won’t allow. The shocks are a product of the Monroe Auto Enterprises Company sold under the name of “Pronto Air Adjustable Shocks”. The part number is SU-705 and was also adaptable to a 1970 Camaro. Shocks listed for a ’55-’57 Chevy also work.