My 1993 T16S is becoming alarmingly tail happy, particularly in the wet. The tyres are a bit 'tired', so they'll be the first things to change, but if I get no improvement does anyone have any idea where else I should focus my attention? I don't want to lower the car at all, but am thinking of stiffer shock absorbers. It does ride quite low at the rear, particularly with stuff in the boot or a rear seat passenger. Rear springs knackered perhaps?

Thanx

Wow, you must drive quickly to have a tail happy T16S. Both my 900s (T8v and CT16S) always break the front. I would certainly change the tyres first. The 900 is quite well known for sagging rear springs, check ride height front and rear and compar to the handbook. Next as you say are the shock absorbers, especially if its done high milage and they are the original (I'd change both front and rear). I fitted Monroe Senso-matic to the T8v and I'm very pleased with them. The speed freaks though would suggest Koni gas adjustable though.
Finally check the leading arm bushes (watts links) the small round bars from the top of the rear hub backplates to the boot floor. Also check Panhard rod bushes (axle to floor pan above). Any play in these bushes will allow the rear axle to move laterally and fore/aft which will give a tail happy feel. The trailing arm bushes are suppose to be bullet proof but still worth a look. Oh what about the shock absorber mounting bushes?

Have fun

I have now changed the tyres, but it's also stopped raining! The car does feel alot more stable, especially round tight corners on a trailing throttle (where the problem first presented itself) It's not play ion the suspension, but a proper Mark 2 ford Escort "here comes the back end" moment, which thankfully I've been able to sort out with a bit of opposite lock and new underwear. I also intend to go ahead with the gas conversion in the next couple of months, so I'll let you know how it goes in the other topic thread.
Nick