Immediately following the Texas event, it’s back on the road and out to Fontana, CA, for the final Optima Search for the Ultimate Street Car event at Auto Club Speedway; and then the pair is Vegas-bound.

We’ll be sure to update you on the Fort Worth results next week; you can also follow along on social media as we provide live postings from Chris, Bret, and the rest of the RideTech crew on location!

Over the last few days, we held a Facebook contest for RideTech customers to submit a photo of their ride for a chance to win some awesome RideTech swag.  Below are a few of our favorite entrants, along with the contest winner.  Stay tuned to our Facebook page for more chances to win cool RideTech stuff!

A-Body Suspension Packages

What IS an A-Body, Anyway?

The first thing we need to understand is what a platform designation really means.  An automotive platform is generally a shared set of design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as components.  The automotive industry uses platforms to reduce costs by basing several vehicles off a shared platform, creating distinct models with similar underpinnings.  The most basic definition of a platform would be vehicles that share the same underbody, suspension, axles, steering mechanisms, engine placement and choice, and frame.  Originally, a “platform” was a literally shared chassis from a previously engineered vehicle; this has been a common practice since GM used the same platform in the development of the Pontiac LeMans, the Buick Skylark, the Chevrolet Chevelle, and the Oldsmobile Cutlass (A-bodies, coincidentally!).

So now that we know what a platform is, let’s move on.  The A-body designation was originally given to some early GMs in the 1930’s, but those were changed to a different designation in 1958.  While those included recognizable names such as the Bel Air, Biscayne, Impala, and Bonneville, the A-body didn’t really gain popularity until the mid-to-late sixties.

In 1964, the A-body platform was reintroduced as the first intermediate-sized cars designed with a four-link coil-spring rear suspension similar to that on full-sized cars.  Some of GM’s most successful products in the musclecar era were A-bodies…the Pontiac GTO, Chevrolet Malibu SS, Oldsmobile 442, and Buick GS.  Even the El Camino was an A-body!  Due to the growing popularity of these cars and the growing demands for bigger engines, GM restyled the A-bodies in 1968 with everybody’s favorite…more power!  They removed the previous 400 cu in limit and brought out the 454 and 455.  And THAT is when production REALLY took off!  So now you know the A-body basics…and don’t worry, we won’t quiz you on it later!

Some interesting A-body facts:
-*-There was a Canada-only version called the Acadian Beaumont
-*-There were over 4,099,700 Chevelles made between 1964-1972
-*-GM intended the Chevelle to be the successor to the Tri-5

1.    Proven Methods to Set Up Any Car for Balanced, Neutral Handling
2.    Learn the Keys to Amazing Cornering GRIP!
3.    Simple Ways to Understand Suspension & Steering Geometry
4.    Secret Sauce Shock Valving – Why, How & What it Does!
5.    Evaluating the Suspension Strategies for YOUR Goals & Use
6.    Learn the Secrets to Awesome Brakes on Track…That Work Well on Street Too
7.    Aerodynamics Made Easy – Learn What Works for Your Car

After watching Ron in action at the RideTech Dealer’s Suspension Seminar in December, we have no question that a seminar of this nature is easily worth $1000-$1500. When Ron said with Ridetech’s help he could do the seminars for only $299 a person, we signed right up. Click Here to secure your spot at the next workshop!