This model was then, of course, produced in India by Hindustan Motors as the Contessa up until the 2000s with the same body, etc.
BHPian philukartist recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Hi,
I am looking for shock absorbers for my 1972 Vauxhall Victor FE.
There were several models in the FE range, including the VX 4/90 sporty one, but any of them had the same shocks, I believe.
My car has a Rover V8 engine and a 5-speed LT77 box, which is probably lighter than the original 1800 slant engine. The car does suffer from a lot of ‘wallow’ at the front, and you can push down very easily on the wings.
I was considering trying Mercedes 190 springs on the front, since I was told they might fit, if cut down a little, and stiffen it up. But that still doesn’t help the shock situation.
This FE car was then, of course, produced in India by Hindustan Motors as the Contessa car up until the 2000s with the same body, etc. I assume the same suspension.
Ideally, I would like adjustable shocks, but normal ones would be okay. And I might also consider springs as well.
I cannot seem to find any in the Spax or Monroe ranges, but I wondered if anyone could help, please?
Anyway, I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you in advance.
Bhpian rehaan recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Apart from awaiting an answer in this thread, you could:
- View our Directory section for parts suppliers (example thread), and contact them asking about availability & international shipping. (Tip: Virtually everyone in India is available on WhatsApp)
- Do a search on the forum for “Contessa” and choose “Search Titles only”. Check those threads for any mentions of suspension / shocks / shock absorbers. (You can search within threads once opened.)
Here’s what Bhpian sanidhya mukund replied:
Hello,
If I understood correctly, you are looking for shock absorbers that can fix the wallow in the front end. Has the suspension become like this due to normal wear and tear, or is it because of its inherent design?
If it is being caused by regular wear and tear, then I would suggest that you look for Vauxhall-specific replacements in the UK itself. The logistics involved in locating and shipping Contessa parts to the UK would be quite a lot of work. Also, this could potentially turn out to be a futile exercise.
We do not know whether or not the Contessa parts would directly fit your Vauxhall. Contessa parts are not available off the shelf. Whatever is available these days comes out of old godowns, where the parts would have sat for years.
If your Shocks are in good shape, but are supple and wallowy due to their inherent design and nature, then also, your best bet is to get in touch with local suspension tuners. The Contessa was not exactly known for its handling. In fact, it was a bit of a handful around corners. I believe the diesel variants with the heavier engine did have slightly stiffer shocks, but they also are not likely to have a significant impact on your car’s behaviour.
A preliminary internet search does point towards Vauxhall Victor adjustable Shocks being available in the Spax range.
Please do explore these links. If you are still keen on getting Contessa parts, I would be happy to share the contact details of my trusted guy. I have a few old cars that have not been in production for a very long time, but this guy manages to source most of the stuff. I believe he should be able to source Contessa parts also.
On another note, here’s a Contessa that has been modified to bounce up and down. It is called the “Countess trampolines“, the exact opposite of what you’re looking for. They apparently use it for music videos.
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