1970 Sprite Alpine Suspension

[TheSpriteKing]

Hi All,

I inherited a Sprite Alpine from 1970 that I am in the process of rebuilding. Overall its coming along quite well and can share some images is anyone's interested. I have run into a bit of a snag though as it needs new shocks, and possibly coils. I have visited a bunch of trailer, auto and Motorsports shops and no one can seem to identify replacement shocks and springs. I have looked around online and haven't found anything concrete either.

Does anyone know what type of shocks or springs I could use as a replacement? Thanks.

 

[Robert_374373903]

Hi cannot help with question but we bought one in 1964 and cannot remember if it had shocks, thought it all bog standard at that time. Only problem we had was leaking front window.

 

[waffler]

The chassis was I think a BB. My memory is that this company was taken over either by Alko or the company that does chassis for Elddis. Have you asked them or Swift who bought the Sprite brand. (I had a 400 with the same running gear.)

 

[RayS]

See the other thread with similar title ( just does not show a date) Reading this thread I have been reminded that the chassis was BB manufacture,. It is also possible that since BB used Ford wheels, they may have used the leaf spring suspension from the same age of car (Ford -old- Anglia or Popular) although there were plenty more 'cart sprung ' cars around that period which could have been donors.

 

[TheSpriteKing]

Thanks guys. I guess like your saying best bet is to try and follow up withe the manufacturer to see if they have anything in their DB

 

[Raywood]

I would try https://www.retrocaravanclub.co.uk/ as their members will have the same problem as you and must have the answer. You might even want to join them once you have completed the job.

 

[chrisn7]

If you extract one of the dampers, you may find it has a spec stamped into the metal, particularly if it was an automotive item, which was done back then before labels became the norm.

 

[TheSpriteKing]

Tried pulling off the dampers but they are so old, if there was a stamp on it its not visible anymore.

I tried emailing the retro caravan club as well twice. I would have thought they would be interested in sharing caravan information but I haven't heard back.

I am pretty much snookered on this Van, looks like ill just scrap it.