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Transverse Leaf Spring

A design first used by Chevrolet in the 1963 Corvette with independent rear suspension. When centrally mounted, it functions similarly to two seperate coil springs. When the mounting points are spread apart, such as in the front of the 1984 Corvette, and rear of the 1998 Corvette, it also provides the stability of a small anti-sway bar. According to Corvette engineers, this reduces the necessary size of the sway bar, reduces weight vs. coil springs, and lowers the center of gravity. Composite transverse leaf springs are used in the current Corvette.