By Ron Ceridono Photography by Brian “B-Body” Brennan

or reasons that aren’t entirely clear, General Motors has never seen fit to use all the letters in the alphabet to identify the various designs of their cars. Take A-bodies as an example. The letter A was used to identify specific chassis platforms as far back as 1926 and continued through 1958. In 1982 GM introduced another round of A-bodies that were front-wheel drive, but the A-bodies that we are interested in are those that were produced from 1964-72.

Absent from the scene since 1959, GM revived the A-body designation in 1964 to identify the all-new, intermediate-sized, rear-wheel drive platform lineup that included the Chevrolet Chevelle (including the El Camino), Monte Carlo, Buick Special, Oldsmobile Cutlass, and Pontiac Tempest. All these cars used a perimeter frame, conventional front suspension with unequal-length front control coil springs, and tube shocks. In the rear, all used a four-link suspension system with coil springs and tube shocks. All A-body cars had a 115-inch wheelbase except the station wagons that were stretched to 120 inches.

Compared to the excesses of the previous decade, the ’64-72 GM A-body lineups were classic examples of simple and clean automotive styling. From a performance standpoint there were a variety of high-horsepower options that would shove passengers back in their seats. Even by contemporary standards these cars had it all, with one glaring exception, when spirited cornering is involved it’s obvious handling was not one of their positive traits. Arguably one of the reasons that many cars of the that era had handling deficiencies could be blamed on the tires of the time, but the suspension could benefit from help as well and it’s readily available from Aldan American.

With over three decades of innovation and suspension performance experience, Aldan has developed bolt-on suspension kits for the ’64-72 GM A-body lineup. There are several suspension upgrade kits designed to improve handling, ride quality, and the vehicle’s stance. Aldan coilover suspension kits are designed to offer a stock-level ride or the ability to lower ride height 1.0 to 2.0 inches from factory height. Ride height can be adjusted by changing the preload on the springs with the threaded adjusters. Made in the U.S., Aldan’s GM A-body suspension kits come with options tailored to small-block, big-block, and LS-swapped cars. The coilover shocks are available with single rebound adjustments or double compression and rebound adjustments.

Our case in point shown here is a ’69 Chevelle. It had been previously updated with Corvette front disc brakes and we followed along as Aldan’s Gary Nelson installed a double-adjustable coilover shock conversion kit (PN A0007). This kit includes Aldan RCX, double-adjustable coilovers, and POL upper and lower tubular control arms. Machined from DOM tubing, POL control arms are stronger and lighter than OEM variants. They include grease fittings with high-performance Delrin bushings and sway bar endlinks. In the rear, Nelson installed Aldan’s PN ABRMD rear suspension kit that includes Striker Series double-adjustable coilovers, bolt-on mounting brackets. All the necessary installation hardware is included, as well as a spanner wrench to adjust spring preload.

When it comes to suspension tuning the Aldan RCX coilovers offer a total of 20 points of rebound adjustment. For initial settings turn the rebound adjuster all the way clockwise (the stiffest setting) then back it off 10 clicks. For compression damping begin with the knob on setting number one or two (smaller numbers are soft) of the six positions available (20 rebound and six compression settings offer 120 possible combinations) then make further adjustments on both rebound and compression as necessary.

In the rear, turn the rebound adjustment (top knob) all the way counterclockwise (softest setting) then come back clockwise three clicks. For compression damping start at setting one or two (softest settings) then adjust to optimize the ride quality. Be aware the compression knob will rotate 360 degrees. As the adjuster is a barrel valve, if the knob is rotated past six it returns to position one.

Installing an Aldan bolt-on coilover kit is not only easy to do, it’s a cost-effective method getting the sophisticated suspension that ’64-72 GM A-bodies are as nice to drive as they are to look at.

3. Prior to disassembling the suspension, Nelson removed the brake caliper—it was hung on a wire rather than by the hose, which can be damaged.

5. To remove the spindles Nelson removed the cotter pins, loosened the nuts, then used the tool to push the ball joints apart.

7. It’s not unusual for the mounting points of the lower control arms to become slightly deformed over the years. Nelson used the homemade tool (threaded rod, nuts, and washers) to expand the openings.

9. POL lower control arms use an improved geometry matched to the upper arms for 2.0 degrees of added caster, which noticeably improves handling and straight line stability.

11. Aldan supplies quality Grade 8 installation hardware with mechanical-style lock nuts. The large washers and bearings are installed between the coilover springs and the adjusters on the shocks.

13. To prevent the threaded adjusters from galling on the aluminum shock bodies copper antiseize while wheel bearing grease is applied to the thrust bearing rollers.

15. When the front coilovers are installed they should be positioned so the compression adjustment knob (arrow) is easily accessible (that’s usually toward the outside of the frame)

17. With the upper ends of the coilovers secured the rebound adjustment knobs are replaced.

19. Here’s the completed frontend installation. The kit includes new links for the antiroll bar.

21. Like the front, Aldan’s A-body rear coilover kit is completely bolt-on. It’s not any more complicated than changing shock absorbers.

23. The lower brackets use a combination of the original control arms and shock absorber holes.

25. Ride height is established with the adjustable spring seats. Adjustments with the supplied spanner wrench should be made with the car jacked up (and on jackstands, of course).