Dell,
Binding springs in the 1930 was common in cars of the period especailly those with sporting ambitions as binding increased the stiffness and reduced roll - anti-roll bars were for the future for normal road cars. However, there was another reason, which was that the binding kept out water and mud and kept the lubricant in. One of the first tasks when my cars were back on the road after restoration was to completely dismantle the springs and reasssemble with molyslip grease. The difference in ride and handling was remarkable and I really don't undetand the conventinal wisdom that lubrication makes the springs more flexible and liable to break. Leather spring gaiters were available at the time to protect the springs but they were expensive so I suspect that the cord binding was used on the ABC as a cheaper alternative.
Roger
