Re: [FWDLK] [Chrysler300] Shocks - Koni

[John <spiers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

CanMan & All!

I sent the email below to see if there is any interest in Koni shocks for our 
1957-1964 Mopars. 


So far, not including ole CanMan, I have heard interest in the Koni  shocks 
totaling four and a half car sets.  Only 45.5 sets to go!! 


The Koni US factory representative said fifty CAR SETS would be the  minimum 
amount required to have the factory in Holland make a production  run. 


Konis are an adjustable, super-premium shock at a super-premium price, used on 
many expensive high-speed European sports cars because of their superior control 
characteristics  - a car set of four shocks for many cars often runs $600 or 
more.  I know it is nearly impossible to convince someone who is used to paying 
$15/each for shocks that one could be worth 10x the price.  Heck, even the KYBs, 
which I like very much and have on a couple of my early 60s Mopars and other 
cars, are beyond the pale for many at $30-$40 each - and they are well-worth the 
price in improved handling.  I find it a little irritating that the KYBs are 
made in the Far East, though, but they have proven to be a long-lasting, 
well-made product.  At least the Konis are made in Holland. 


To tell the story in more detail, I've only had Koni shocks on one car, a 1962 
Morgan Plus/4. When I got the car in 1980, with well over 100,000 miles on it, I 
ordered Konis right away.  Much to my surprise, when I cleaned off the surface 
rust on the old shocks, they too were Konis, with a 1964 date of manufacture on 
them! The new ones I installed hardly made a difference, and the old ones still 
had one more "click" of adjustment left on them to stiffen up the rebound 
action, even being 16 years old at the time.  I was impressed, and drove that 
car 65,000 miles in my ownership, with never a concern about shocks. 



One thing that just came to mind - There are US manufacturers that are making 
high-performance shocks for the likes of Camaros, Mustangs, etc., - I wonder if 
any of them would take a look at a set of KYBs as an example, and come up with a 
shock for us?  Maybe there's a close fit that can be adapted - I'm messing 
around with a '72 Pinto wagon (who knows why?!), and installed KYBs all around - 
I had read, and since confirmed, that 1980s Camaro rear shocks fit and work very 
well on the rear of the Pinto.

Cheers.

John Spiers





________________________________
From: Alumcantandthd <alumcantandthd@xxxxxxx>
To: spiers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Mon, July 25, 2011 10:06:05 PM
Subject: Re: [FWDLK] [Chrysler300] Shocks - Koni

How many do you have signed up, to get a set?
 
How soon is this gonna happen?
 
Thanks,,,,,,,,,,,,,
 

 


-----Original Message-----
From: John <spiers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Fri, Jul 22, 2011 10:02 am
Subject: Re: [FWDLK] [Chrysler300] Shocks - Koni


 
To continue forward with this discussion about shock absorbers at the 300 Club 
listserver:


Koni once made front and rear shocks to fit our cars.

I recall having read a thread on the Imperial Club's website. I found it, and 
here it is, complete with misspellings:


Tip from Philippe:
Just a little story about shock absorbers, I think that it could help you and 
the Imperial owners.  Last year I bought a 57 wrecked Crown (no glasses, rust 
everywhere, transmission « out »). This car was neglected since 1966 so all the 
parts on it were never replaced with aftermarket parts ! Except one thing : the 
shock absorbers! Maybe the original « Oriflow » weren't as strong as Chrysler 
said! I was very surprised when I removed the shocks : they aren't « made in 
Brazil or Mexico » as actual sold by K....R or B......M. There are KONI shocks, 
a very reliable & famous make (more expensive also). But I don't know if Koni 
make them always. Summit has Koni shocks on his catalog.  I give you the 
reference (as they are the same from 57 to 65) : Front : 80 C 1229 Rear : 82 
1066 Date of manufacturing : 11/64 If they are always manufactured, buy them and 
don't buy $80.00 for four : I bought 4 gaz charged absorbers (from kanter) : 
after one year, one was leaking and one was jamed ! Mexico made ...
>>Follow-up from Dietmar:
>>>You are right- KONI is the worlds best qualitiy shock absorbers for street and 
>>>race cars. They will serve You a 100 000 miles without any complain. I use them 
>>>on my IMP 60 so this havy car dont swim nor incline in the curve, I use KONI an 
>>>all sports car I have.
>>>
>>>
>>>---
>>>

So I sent an email to Koni North America, inquiring about the above mentioned 
part numbers. Here is the reply:


From: "Mclaughlin, Paul - ITT Motion Technologies" <Paul.Mclaughlin@xxxxxxx> 
To: "spiers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx" <spiers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

 
 Haven't had those part#'s for years... I think u have to buy 50 cars sets each 
to get run made in Holland.

Paul McLaughlin
Koni Shock Absorbers
ITT Corporation
Racing Technical Sales Rep.
1961A International Way
Hebron, Ky. 41048
800-922-2616 option 6

---

I checked on prices of Koni shocks. They are much more than the KYBs - for 
example, on Koni's website, a pair of front shocks for a 1970 Dodge Challenger 
lists for $320/pair (online price, $240) and the rear pair list for $380 (online 
price, $285).  And they do go for upwards of $500/pair in some cases.

To make the minimum order, I think it would be difficult to convince a total of 
50 people worldwide, between both 300 clubs, the Imperial Club, both Christine 
clubs, and all the members of the Forwardlook list, to drop $600 on a set of 
Koni shocks, when there are discussions of the KYBs being far too expensive at 
over $100/set .  .  . and I wouldn't drive another one of these cars without at 
least KYBs on it.   The difference, to you who don't know, is like AM radio 
versus satellite radio. 


I personally would buy at least 2 sets of the Konis, after experiencing the  
profound difference of KYBs, and knowing the Konis are another quantum leap 
forward - I've only run them 65,000 miles on one car I've owned (a '62 Morgan 
+4) and was very impressed. One important and interesting feature of the Konis, 
is that they are adjustable for firmness/softness in their rebound action. 
http://www.koni-na.com/comp.cfm


Cheers,

John Spiers




________________________________
 From: Bill Huff <czbill@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: Michael Moore <mmoore8425@xxxxxxx>; Tony Bevacqua <tonysru2@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: Marshall Larson <granitledge@xxxxxxxxx>; Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thu, July 21, 2011 9:27:35 PM
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Shocks.

  
There are some H.D. choices out there. Not many cheap one though.

http://www.amazon.com/Bilstein-Heavy-Duty-Shock-Absorber/dp/B001HIAMWU/ref=au_pf_pfg_s?ie=UTF8&Model=300%7C2489&n=15684181&s=automotive&Make=Chrysler%7C39&Year=1970%7C1970&newCar=1&carId=001


Bill Huff

At 7/21/201111:58 AM, Michael Moore wrote:
>I installed those on my 300H and was grateful to get them.
>I wish they were stiffer though.
>Its almost as though there are no shocks on the car, but insofar as 
>I know, that's all thats available.I wish Koni made a set to fit.
>Mike Moore
>300H
>
>
>On Jul 21, 2011, at 8:41 AM, Tony Bevacqua wrote:
>
> > KYB shocks. KG4507 and KG 5511 are the correct ones. I just made a
> > purchase for my 57 (shocks are correct for 1957 to 1964, I believe).
> > $116.32 for the 4 shocks, plus handling, etc.
> > Tony
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
> > Behalf Of Marshall Larson
> > Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2011 8:26 AM
> > To: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: [Chrysler300] Shocks.
> >
> > Any suggestions for an appropriate brand and model of shocks for a G. I
> > don't need anything exotic, just proper ride and to deal with the radials
> > that are on the car. All suggestions appreciated.
> >
> > MN Marshall
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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