27 replies to this topic

[JeremyduP]

I have read a number of posts about the HI-LO suspension and who invented it, so I dug through my old literature and found my original brochure from 1971 when it was released.

 

It was not made to Ripspeed, or Minisport or Minispares as some believe, but actually Tony Chammings, a fruit farmer who also raced and hill climbed Minis.  He patented them and sold them through his company Tony Chammings Products Ltd based in Hawkhurst in Kent.  In fact, Tony contracted the manufacture to Prototype Tooling In Maidstone.

 

They were adjusted by a long Allen key that operated down through the top of the subframe tower at the front, and through the hole in the rear subframe at the back. The advantage is that you could adjust your ride heights with the wheels on and the car on the ground, measuring the heights as you did it.  A lot easier than the modern ones where you have to know the thread pitch then how many inches one turn results in.  And the cost?  £12.65 front and £13.85 rear.

[Compdoc]

https://tentenths.co...ad.php?t=146433

 

[Tomm]

That’s very interesting. That would have been about 10 miles from where I am now. Interestingly, not on the same level of significance as that, but not far from where this chap spoken about here was based was the production of MB racing wheels.

[mab01uk]

Here are links below to the TMF threads on Tony Chamings from 2012, which I also posted on the Ten Tenths-Motorsport forum:-

 

Period Ads Archive - Hi-Lo suspension:-

http://www.theminifo...hive/?p=2617559

 

Gomshall Hi-Lo Mini Racer - Tony Chamings:-

http://www.theminifo...-tony-chamings/

Edited by mab01uk, 20 April 2020 - 04:12 PM.

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

I think you still needed the weight off of the wheels to adjust them.

[imack]

I think you still needed the weight off of the wheels to adjust them.

I've got the early ripspeed version that adjust with the long 3/8" allen key, no need to jack the car up to adjust, makes corner weighting a doddle.

Attached Files

•  20160109_112859.jpg   27.93K   6 downloads
•  20180219_200920_resized.jpg   30.49K   9 downloads

Edited by imack, 20 April 2020 - 05:31 PM.

[JeremyduP]

I think you still needed the weight off of the wheels to adjust them.

[JeremyduP]

The Allen key was a big T bar so you did not have to take the weight off before adjusting. Designed for racing and quick adjustment.

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

Fair enough.  I used to have those sort of Hi Los years ago and always lifted the vehicle as I was under the impression for some reason that you could damage the threads by turning them with the vehicle on the ground.  Wish I still had those sort now.

[stoneface]

I have a pair with the allen key.

 HiLo1.jpg   95.25K   6 downloads

 HiLo2.jpg   62.1K   6 downloads

[JeremyduP]

Brochure from 1971

Attached Files

•  Hi-Lo.jpg   39.71K   11 downloads
•  Hi-Lo-2.jpg   42.19K   11 downloads

[mab01uk]

Thanks for posting scans, yours is an earlier 1971 brochure for the Mk1 Hi-Lo, note the price increase from October!

My later Hi-Lo scans to compare in the links above are interesting to compare and show how the Cone support diameter was increased by 1/2" & chamfered to follow the contour of the rubber cone by Tony Chamings for the Mk2 version.

Edited by mab01uk, 21 April 2020 - 01:16 PM.

[exuptoy]

Prior to this the common practice was shimming or cutting the taper cones to get the ride height required. IMSMR it was 3:1 or 5:1 front or rear or something similar. I’m sure someone with more knowledge will be along to confirm or deny.

Edited by exuptoy, 21 July 2020 - 12:49 PM.

[Spider]

Prior to this the common practice was shimming or cutting the taper cones to get the ride height required. IMSMR it was 3:1 or 5:1 front or rear or something similar. I’m sure someone with more knowledge will be along to confirm or deny.

 

Perhaps a little bit more 'history' here?

 

The Ratio for the Rear (5:1) is correct, however, the Ratio of 3:1 was first Published it seems by Clive Trickey, who wrote a series of books on modifying an 850 Mini for racing. Clive it appears was one of the first to publish any books on the subject, next to perhaps Special Tuning.

 

However, while this ratio has been perpetuated over the years, appearing also in David Vizards book How to Modify your Mini, sadly, it's incorrect.

 

The Ratio for Dry Front Arms, as I've measured it is 4.45:1 - a long way from 3:1 !

 

 

When the new later day 'Hilos' are fitted up, most it seems use an M20 x 2.5 mm Bolt for the adjuster.

 

One full turn on the Front with these changes the height by (near enough) 11 mm.

 

One full turn on the Rear with these changes the height by 12.5 mm.

[Dusky]

And the cost? £12.65 front and £13.85 rear.

About 185£ in today's money according to the inflation calculator. Amazing