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Shelby Series 1 Suspension/Chassis Development
Vehicle Profile
The Shelby Series 1 is an ultra high performance roadster that comes as close to
driving a race car on the street as you can get. The vehicle is powered by a
specially modified Oldsmobile Aurora V8 (mated with a 6 speed transaxle), producing
over 325 hp. at the rear wheels. A targeted weight of less than 2,400 lbs. results
in an exceptional power-to weight ratio by road or race standards.
The Shelby Series 1 |
At home on the track |
Achieving these targets required extensive chassis optimisation as well
as development of a sophisticated suspension system designed to get the
power to the road. Shelby relied on Multimatic's experienced team of engineers
and designers to tackle the challenge.
Multimatic was awarded contracts for the design, engineering, development and
production supply of the complete suspension system, chassis components and door
hardware/intrusion protection system.
Production of this limited edition collector, only 500
vehicles total, commenced at Shelby's state-of-the-art facilities at the Las Vegas Motor
Speedway, with the last serial numbered Series 1 rolling off the assembly line
just before year 2000.
Following only 3 days of extensive ride and handling tuning
by Multimatic/Dynamic Suspensions of a pre-production Series 1 at the LVMS, an exclusive first
test drive was conducted by Motor Trend. Results of this test were available in the
November 1999 issue of Motor Trend, where MT editor acclaimed that "the suspension
delivers you quickly through the turns as though you're sitting atop the mechanized
hand of God. And the ride quality is really quite amazing."
Chassis/Suspension Development
The chassis is a tubular aluminum space frame, with composite paneling,
optimised for torsional and bending stiffness, as well as modal response.
The suspension system is designed to provide the ultimate in performance
while maintaining ride quality. This has been achieved through the use of
race-inspired push rod/rocker/coil-over damper configurations at both ends
mounted to rubber isolated aluminum carrier modules.
Front suspension in rolling chassis
Complete systems modeling |
Front suspension in rolling chassis
Complete systems
modeling |
All dampers are fully adjustable race proven units with external reservoirs
designed exclusively for this vehicle by Dynamic Suspensions.
Multimatic has also performed extensive analytical simulations of the complete
vehicle to predict frontal and rear crash performance. As a result of clever
engineering, combined with computer intensive Finite Element Analysis, novel
front and rear energy absorbing crush structures were developed, enabling the
Series 1 to virtually surpass stringent FMVSS 208 and 301 crash safety
standards.
Suspensions Specifications
The Shelby Series 1's front and rear suspension systems are specified as follows:
Front suspension motor plate assembly |
Rear suspension with transaxle |
Front Suspension Configuration
- Independent, unequal length control arms
- Coil over springs
- Dynamic Suspensions fully adjustable gas
charged dampers with external reservoirs
- Tubular stabilizer bar
- Vented disc brakes with PBR calipers and
anti-lock capability
- Integrated with isolated aluminum motor plate
- Push rod/rocker actuation
Rear suspension with transaxle
- Multi-link independent assembly
- Coil over springs
- Dynamic Suspensions fully adjustable gas
charged dampers with external reservoirs
- Tubular stabilizer bar
- Vented disc brakes with PBR calipers and
anti-lock capability
- Integrated as part of a complete transaxle/rear
suspension module assembly
- Push rod/rocker actuation
Door Hardware/Intrusion Protection System
The complete door system including hinges, check, and the structural
spaceframe incorporating intrusion beams were designed to provide
ultimate side impact protection and stiffness performance. Comprehensive
finite element modeling and analysis was conducted to predict side intrusion
and structural rigidity and compliance with FMVSS 214 standards.
Shelby Door Design |
Shelby Door Design |
The door system configuration is as follows:
- Stamped steel hinge and latch reinforcements
- Alloy steel tubular intrusion beams and
belt-line
- High strength steel stamped hinges
- Multimatic patented door check system with
plastic encapsulated arm
- Composite outer and inner door skins
- Arm and sector power window regulator
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