Thanks hanzel! i will look at that mounting bracket tomorrow just in case, thank you for the comment. I finally found the gas shocks for the rear suspension, Kayaba Excel G's. They have worked out very well and has improved overall handling very impressively! i haven't found any gas front struts so far though I am told that Kayaba makes a GR2 strut for the Ford Festiva. Will keep looking.....
cheers!