"Monotube style shocks that instantly adjust for road and off road conditions, with a nitro-steel piston rod, polyurethane bushings and a powdercoat finish". Who knows what it means but it sounds good.

"Introducing a breakthrough in ride control…Edelbrock Performer IAS Shock Absorbers. The exclusive patented design of these revolutionary shocks delivers a ride that is unparalleled. Here’s why…Edelbrocks Inertia Active System swithches instantly between a soft and a firm circuit for superior handling and a smooth ride. Unlike conventional shocks that have an inflexible calibration, the inertia valve continuously meters the rebound circuit and adjusts accordingly. On smooth surfaces, the inertia valve closes, keeping the chassis stable, reducing body roll for a more comfortable ride. Over rough terrain the valve opens, keeping the wheels on the ground". I think I understand but who cares ‘cos it sounds even better.

The charming and ‘handsome in a rugged, ladies man way’ Dave at DLS sent me down a set of these very pretty red ‘shocks to fit to a Discovery MK1. I was even more joyous when they arrived to find that they had almost everything required to fit them, including a decent set of instructions (before you know it alls out there say "but its only a pair of shocks" just read on). This was a good thing as both myself and my top helper, Alan (also known as ‘old shiny head), where somewhat bemused by the plethora of washers, bushes, nuts and cable ties that seemed to leap from the box.

The Discovery we were fitting these sexy little numbers to is the number one vehicle used by East Devon Off Road Experience and as such the’shocks had to be fitted late one evening, owner Andy Summers (also known as ‘it’s not that big and anyway I’m on a diet) took pleasure in telling me "I need it for first thing tomorrow as we’ve got some really important clients coming", no pressure then.

Vehicles used by off road schools take some hammer, probably more than my trialler even, so the Discovery is an ideal test bed for these ‘shocks (especially the way Andy drives).

I won’t bore you, dear reader with the complexities of changing ‘shocks on a Landrover product, needless to say that I have never come across gas assisted ‘shocks with so much assistance before, so on to the results so far.

On road the Discovery is a ‘Saul on the road to Tarsus’, it’s a blinding revelation, I would guess that almost 50% of the body roll has taken time off and boy can you throw it into the bends – not bad when you take into consideration that this P reg vehicle is on its original springs. Cornering is limited by the tyres, which are BF Goodrich Trak Edge, so the limits are quite exiting to say the least.

Off road things are not quite so improved but remember these are a product biased towards the normal driver, not some 4x4 hooligan. However there is still a great deal of improvement, notably the extra height and increased articulation. Undulations are much more controlled as is overall steering but overall damping is sacrificed somewhat (that means that your backside feels the bumps more).

I have been promised some technical details from the lovely people at Britpart who are the importers, so as soon as it arrives I will, like a fleeting gazelle with a bad leg, rush to inform you.