SUSPENSION
Despite being based around the classic ’60s Ford set-up of a MacPherson strut front end, and leaf-sprung, live-axle rear, the standard suspension is crap. Everything needs changing if you are building a Fast Road car, with the most amount of attention being paid to the rear which uses lever-arm rather than telescopic dampers. Be prepared to spend a fair part of your budget getting this lot sorted.
The standard front struts aren’t upgradeable so you’ve got to change them — no uprated or lowered springs are available and they restrict brake choice.There are really only two types of strut you can replace them with, those found on the Consul Classic (now hard to find), and Mk2 Cortina items. Whichever ones you source, both will need converting to take 2.25 inch springs as the standard ones are too big and clout the front turrets.The strut bodies will also need shortening, and uprated, shortened inserts fitted. Milton has been converting these for years and so has got them down to a fine art, while GAZ can do the same to Mk2 Cortina struts for Anglias too.The bonus is you get ride-height and damping adjustable struts that work properly and fit straight up without any issues.To go with these you’ll need eccentric top mounts to induce the correct amount of castor (Milton supplies preset ones), modified Mk2 Cortina steering arms (Milton supply new, fabricated ones), plus the AngliaTCAs need converting to make them adjustable to get the right amount of camber. Again Milton can convert these.
Fit that lot and you’ve got an excellent set-up that, for a steering box-equipped Ford, can’t be beat. However, many owners upgrade to a steering rack, and again Milton is your port of call, as they’ve developed a complete and very clever kit which still uses Mk2 struts.
At the rear, keep the leaf springs and rear axle, but throw the rest away.The lever arm dampers can be replaced by a Milton turret and damper kit, which gives the Anglia upright-mounted telescopic dampers. Complement this with one of their A-frame axle locating kits (below left), and you’ll improve the handling no end, as well as eliminate the dreaded axle tramp.To get the back lower, fit a pair of lowering blocks — 2 inch ones are about the limit for a road car.
This rear end set-up is about the best you can get for a Fast Road car, but if you’re running big power or building a track car, then Panhard rod and four-link kits are also available.