I'm thinking about how to pack heavy items into my Amazon to take into account its steering characteristics, especially since I'm going to be driving in the Alps round tight bends, possibly hair-pins and possibly slippery etc.

Am I right in saying that Amazons usually have a tendancy to understeer and then a final oversteer naturally? Would this mean that I should avoid over-weighting the boot so that the back doesn't swing round too much (I'm looking at worst-case scenario on mountain roads)?

I know the real answer is just "drive carefully" but I'm also interested in the handling characteristics under differing loads. Thanks a lot.

Tom

I drive pretty hard with stock suspension and tires. lots of roll. fairly predictable handling, pretty hard to generate oversteer, car tends to go into a 4 wheel drift (not understeer) and it's easy to manage. Used to have a 71 Peugot that did the same, fun (better brakes). I prefer the cornering when I have a passenger, loaded.... well you have to follow your feelings. One of the advantages of the skinny tires is that they break loose pretty early so the change is not as violent as in more modern cars. My biggest concern would be brakes, I've never smoked them, but on mountain decents I use my gears and I let the engine rev pretty high to keep things cool. Have fun, Patrick.

It depends on the suspension and steering upgrade situation. If everything is stock and original on the car, then rent a new one so you'll be safe.
If, on the other hand, you have the full Nelson of suspension upgades with IPD anti-sway system front and back, Bilstein shocks, Progressive Rate Springs by Vintage Performance, new and/or tightly fitting bushes all round, reasonably new and secure ball joints top and bottom, good tie rods and good tires, then load her up and hit the road, any road.