No, the early mk1 1300's didn't have a vacuum advance fitted. If you want to fit a later distributor I can personally recommend the unit as fitted to late A plus motors, such as the metro with electronic ignition, no more points!!. In order to do this you will require not only the distributor, but the drive dog!, the clamp, & a bit of patience!.
As regards to the front suspension, the quick way of checking if your car is fitted with the early (urgh!) type suspension is to have a quick look at your trunnions, the early type are considerably longer than the later type & the stub axle comes out on the kingpin in a different place. Having said all this, none of the front suspension settings are adjustable, but if you fit later type trunnions to early kingpins, the results are huge amounts of negative camber & a greatly increased ride height!!, not that desirable then!!.
I don't have the exact dimensions to hand at the mo., but I can find out later for you!!
Any questions just ask !!
Cheers
Brian.
