What shocks to use?

[Tom S.]

I want to replace the shocks on my 69 roadster.I know that you can't get the originals any longer , so what should be used?I want to keep the car as close to original as possible, it won't be judged, as I do drive it, but still want it as close as possible.Thanks in advance.

Tom #41491

[Dave Suesz]

[Dave Suesz]

[Dan Pepper]

Delco Reactek's are great...

Just put a set on my '66 (along with speed rated tires) and am impressed with them. They are basically the same outer construction as the originals. Just paint them "shock abosorber grey" to look original. Paint or no, you'll get partial credit for a Delco replacement part if the car is ever judged.

[Dan Pepper]

Delco Reactek's are great...

Just put a set on my '66 (along with speed rated tires) and am impressed with them. They are basically the same outer construction as the originals. Just paint them "shock abosorber grey" to look original. Paint or no, you'll get partial credit for a Delco replacement part if the car is ever judged.

[Joe L.]

Re: Delco Reactek's are great...

Dan-----

However, the Reactec shocks are discontinued. The current Delco "Gas Charged" shocks differ somewhat in configuration from the Reactecs which, except for "numbers", "dates" and color were virtually identical to the shocks originally used on the cars. Still, the current Delco are probably about as close as you can come with a currently available shock. Although they are supplied in Delco boxes and through Delco dealers, they don't have the word "Delco" stamped anywhere on them, so I don't know if they receive judging credit, or not.

[Joe L.]

Re: Delco Reactek's are great...

Dan-----

However, the Reactec shocks are discontinued. The current Delco "Gas Charged" shocks differ somewhat in configuration from the Reactecs which, except for "numbers", "dates" and color were virtually identical to the shocks originally used on the cars. Still, the current Delco are probably about as close as you can come with a currently available shock. Although they are supplied in Delco boxes and through Delco dealers, they don't have the word "Delco" stamped anywhere on them, so I don't know if they receive judging credit, or not.

[Tom S.]

Re: Delco Reactek's are great...

Dave and Dan
Thanks for the help. Now for the next question what color gray should the paint be?Also Joe thanks for your input as well.The car is never going to be top flight, but it is decent and I want to do things as close to correct as possible. Thanks again.

Tom

[Tom S.]

Re: Delco Reactek's are great...

Dave and Dan
Thanks for the help. Now for the next question what color gray should the paint be?Also Joe thanks for your input as well.The car is never going to be top flight, but it is decent and I want to do things as close to correct as possible. Thanks again.

Tom

[Patrick H.]

Re: Delco Reactek's are great...

"The car is never going to be top flight"

This statement never ceases to amaze me. No criticism of Tom and I don't know his car at all, but I think many people would be surprised just how well their cars would do in actual judging. If it's the right color in and out, and mostly the right configuration, I think many of the cars owners berate as "it is never going to be Top Flight" would amaze them. There are 4500 points and you can lose up to 270 and get a Top Flight. Add in some drivng miles, and you're there. Seems like it's a familiar thing that an owner brings a car to a meet, gets a high Second Flight or low Top Flight and enjoys the whole process so much that he (she) has to try it again.

OK, off my soapbox.

Quanta makes the correct gray, but even a "dove gray" from your local hardware store will be quite close. Close enough to pass most Chapter meets, that's for sure.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: Delco Reactek's are great...

"The car is never going to be top flight"

This statement never ceases to amaze me. No criticism of Tom and I don't know his car at all, but I think many people would be surprised just how well their cars would do in actual judging. If it's the right color in and out, and mostly the right configuration, I think many of the cars owners berate as "it is never going to be Top Flight" would amaze them. There are 4500 points and you can lose up to 270 and get a Top Flight. Add in some drivng miles, and you're there. Seems like it's a familiar thing that an owner brings a car to a meet, gets a high Second Flight or low Top Flight and enjoys the whole process so much that he (she) has to try it again.

OK, off my soapbox.

Quanta makes the correct gray, but even a "dove gray" from your local hardware store will be quite close. Close enough to pass most Chapter meets, that's for sure.

Patrick

[Tom S.]

Re: Delco Reactek's are great...

Patrick
Thanks for the input. I will try the hardware store and see if I can find the dove grey paint. And you never know I might even take it out to be judged 1 day.It is a nice driver, correct color, mostly original interior, some one before me replaced the carpet with the incorect carpet which I am going to change.It doesn't have the correct exhaust manifolds or smog pump. I have no intentions of puting that back. But everything else is # matching even to include the wheels. By the way it is monza red, black leather int. and a white top.L-46 m-21 tranny.I like the car very much and keep trying to do a little at a time.Thanks again for all the help.

Tom

[Tom S.]

Re: Delco Reactek's are great...

Patrick
Thanks for the input. I will try the hardware store and see if I can find the dove grey paint. And you never know I might even take it out to be judged 1 day.It is a nice driver, correct color, mostly original interior, some one before me replaced the carpet with the incorect carpet which I am going to change.It doesn't have the correct exhaust manifolds or smog pump. I have no intentions of puting that back. But everything else is # matching even to include the wheels. By the way it is monza red, black leather int. and a white top.L-46 m-21 tranny.I like the car very much and keep trying to do a little at a time.Thanks again for all the help.

Tom

[Stephen W.]

Delco Big "D"

Back in 74 I purchased a set of Delco "big D" shocks over my GM dealership parts counter. They are red and have the Delco "Big D" on them. I was told the piston was larger and these were the "performance replacements". I never put them on my 1971 roadster and found the dusty boxes on a shelf in my garage just recently. Forgot I even had them. What would the judges opionion on these be?

[Stephen W.]

Delco Big "D"

Back in 74 I purchased a set of Delco "big D" shocks over my GM dealership parts counter. They are red and have the Delco "Big D" on them. I was told the piston was larger and these were the "performance replacements". I never put them on my 1971 roadster and found the dusty boxes on a shelf in my garage just recently. Forgot I even had them. What would the judges opionion on these be?