Classic Mini Rubber Suspension Cones

Being champions of innovative brilliance throughout our time in the Mini spares and parts industry, Mini Sport have endeavoured to forge relationships with the most exceptional product manufacturers. This way, we can always ensure that we are supplying the best, most professional service to our customers.

 

An example of this can be found in our selection of Mini rubber suspension cones – created by Dr Alex Moulton for the MK1 Mini in 1959, he had a ‘secret ingredient’ for forging rubber that he never shared with any other rubber companies (including Dunlop or any other organisations). As such, products created with ‘Moulton Rubber’ are unique – and being the only Mini merchants with a license to sell genuine Moulton rubber suspension parts, we can help our customers to experience the true feelings behind the driving of a Classic Mini.

Our Range of Moulton Mini Rubber Suspension Cones.

The design of our genuine Moulton rubber cone springs for the Mini suspension are designed to the correct rubber formula that is exactly the same today, as it was when the Mini was launched back in 1959. Each FAM3968 rubber cone spring has been produced on the original tooling overseen by Dr Moulton and by the same British manufacturer, Avon Rubber Company (known today as Avon VMS).

The only change to the original specification in ’59 is that the smaller top plate no longer has the welded nut. This has been replaced with a threaded billet steel centre as an improvement and upgrade from the original. This work was performed by Dr Alex Moulton himself – alongside our own Mini Sport Engineering Department.

Our special relationship with the Moulton Trust (who are now responsible for the licensing of Dr Alex’s innovations) goes back to the heyday of the Mini. This design was so successful that other manufacturers even tried to imitate the design of these Mini rubber suspension cones, claiming that their products were also genuine.

In fact, only those products that carry the ‘Moulton’ name can be said to be genuine reproductions of the suspension parts that were used on the Mini from 1959-onwards. Although they have been imitated ever since (with varying degrees of success), you simply cannot copy or improve perfection. Ultimately, Moulton suspension cones offer the most genuine Mini driving experience.

Who was Alex Moulton?

Dr Alexander Eric Moulton first made a name for himself in the manufacturing industry after creating the revolutionary small-wheeled lightweight Moulton Bicycle – models of which are still being produced, some six decades after initial development work. A particular advantage that these bikes had were their superior suspension systems; Dr Alex was sought out by the British Motor Corporation to contribute to the suspension system on their new range of economical cars.

 

Working closely with the Mini’s designer, Alec Issigonis, Dr Alex developed the cone suspension unit; an innovation so brilliant that it was used in Mini models from the outset through to the end of their production in 2000. The system comprised of a truncated cone (frusto-conical) rubber spring and shock absorber (which consisted of a cup-shaped body of rubber, bonded between steel plates and attached to a metal arm ending in a ball joint). The ball joints slotted into a socket on the wheel strut that Dr Alex noted at the time ‘[resembled] the typical anatomy of a muscle-actuated limb’.

 

The finesse of his Mini rubber suspension cones is undoubtedly the hydrolastic suspension set-up. The system uses hydraulic fluid damping and links the vehicle’s wheels into one system (which greatly reduces vehicle pitching). It was so successful that all cars produced by the BMC (later, British Leyland) featured the same type of suspension.

 

Dr Alex was still creating his innovations very late in life; his prototype MDev 90, an aluminium and carbon-fibre-frame bike that could be assembled in 20 minutes, was unveiled at his 90th birthday party in 2010. Passing away in 2012, Dr Alex Moulton left behind an enduring legacy that is still enjoyed by drivers across the world today.

Genuine Original Specification Parts From Mini Sport.

Here at Mini Sport, we value the history and tradition of the classic Mini. As a family-owned business, we share much of the same philosophies that the original models were produced with; namely offering a unique driving experience and a great-value price. This is precisely why we drive that extra mile in order to ensure that we are able to supply everything our customers need to recreate the feelings that these timeless cars brought to their owners.

 

So if you’re looking to experience the smooth drive that the classic Mini offered 60 years ago, please take the time to browse our Moulton Mini rubber suspension cones. Have any questions about these or any of our Mini parts and spares? Give us a call today on 01282 778731 or e-mail sales@minisport.com