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I would make the assumption that the car may have been dríven hard (or at least harder than an unmodified one owned by an old lady)

Springs have very little wear, so generally they aren't replaced.
If it was just the shocks, it would be 50/50 as to them being replaced as maintenance, or as a modification.

But since it's performance shocks, AND lowered springs, I'd be pretty confident they car has seen some hardish driving.
Thankfully that's not the end of the world, you would need to meet the owner and judge from that just how hard it was (he liked it lowered and doesn't care about speed, or he raced it maybe?)

Correct.

Although you will need to confirm which springs they are, Kings make 3 versions for many cars (not 100% if all 3 are made for the NC)

Standard - normal height
Low - ~30mm lower
Super low - ~50mm lower

Generally people don't bother with standard height ones though, since they're the same height as what comes with the car anyway.

Spitfire wrote:Can I infer anything about how it has been dríven or cared for by this apparent substitution of the original equipment?

Nope.

My car is stock apart from after market sway bars. These wouldn't normally be detected, except by getting under the car or driving it on a comparison. It isn't thrashed but is regularly tracked and is a multiple concours and show and shine winner.

I know a guy in the club with an NC that is lowered on adjustable shocks with an aftermarket exhaust. It looks really good, sounds great, but is granny dríven.