Veloce by Wille R.  www.veloce.se On the Internet since November 1995

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First published 2 November 1999 Next

The suspension

Considering the exotic specification of most of the Duetto’s mechanical, it was perhaps disappointing to have to put up with a live rear axle rather than independent rear suspension. But we should remember that many sports cars in 1966 relied on a live rear axle, and we should also take into account the fact that the Duetto’s axle was particularly well located, which resulted in handling that was vastly superior to many cars with independent rear suspension.

A T-shaped bracket and two lower trailing arms provided the rear axle location and were attached to coil spring/damper units, while there was also an upper trailing wishbone. Axle movement was restricted by rebound straps made of canvas and vulcanised rubber, acting inboard of the wheels. The Duetto did not have the rear anti-roll bar of later Spiders.

At the independent front end, double wishbones combined with an anti-roll bar. A lower wishbone carried the coil spring, while above it was one transverse arm and one trailing link. At either end, the choice of dampers was either Girling or Bianchi Alliquant.