In my attempt to start a sh*t storm I must ask, is it truly a California rake if achieved with the assistance of air bags? Or does it need to be static? I think I see some clouds forming.
Those bags were to lift it back up not to drop it. LOL I was reading a piece on Blackie Giegian (sp) a year or two back. I guess he was as much a part of that car getting built as the owner (they were buds?) and I guess the whole decision to go coils in front was because Barris wanted to be able to use air bags. Of course *someone is going to refute this so let me give this disclaimer I am just repeating something that Blackie was quoted as saying in the article and you can just go **. . . if you catch my drift. *no one in particular **insert the most offensive thing I could possibly say to you personally here Note: I have always thought that little truck had it goin on.
When I got my 1st car in 71 the trick suspension was Hi Jacker air shocks ! lol All my cars have been built on a rake. In most cases now I build the frame to the desired rake I want, taking into account the desired wheel and tire combo. But sometimes as in the case of my beloved old 72 galaxie convert that I have own for 30 years I go simple old school and put 225/70s on the front and 255/70 s on the rear, Perfect!!!!! Larry
Hey, Rowlett, there is a California boy living in my area who told me that a hotrod was "dagoed" when it had a dropped axle in it from Ed "Axle" Stewart. Of course, we're talking about straight axles here, but it seemed to pertain to hotrods of the '30's or '40's. Maybe ?
Here in Los Angeles in the 50's if you car was lower in the front it was ' Dago Dropped ' Have no idea where the term came from ? Or if lower in the rear it was a ' Lead Sled ' but now called a Low Rider
The term was slang for the forged dropped axles by Ed Stewart of San DIEGO. You can read more at Kustomrama HERE:http://www.kustomrama.com/index.php?title=The_Dago_Axle
The term "dago" was used as in "that car has a nice dago (or dago rake). It basically referred was the same stance as a "California Rake". The term dago used to describe "rake" was common in Southern California in the late 1950's and into the 1960's. I had never heard the term "California rake" until recently. I never, ever heard of "dago" used to refer to an axle, just the stance. And, yes, I've lived for 65 years in Southern California.
As I remember, a class mate at Art Center, (Alex Kerr), had a blue '59 Chevy 2 dr hardtop with the underside painted white and chrome exhausts that ended before the rear axle. It had a serious 'rake' to see all that. Good times. Tony's rides did as well.
my CA rake In the sixties, the cops in my area enforced the scrub line, so the lakes pipes helped the look, but did not affect the scrub line.
I've always loved the "down in front" look, the '49 was my high school ride, back in the 50's. I drove the '57 'vert until I got married............. Ol Green is my current ride. I guess my life has just been going downhill.............
I love the look. But there are way too many cars in this thread with skirts. Cars with skirts do not look their best raked forward. A nice, subtle rearward rake suits them much better.
I have to agree with this statement. If you're adding skirts, the idea is to cover the rear tire. It's counter-intuitive to then raise the rear of the car so as to expose more of the tire. Personally, I'd take the idea a step further. It has always been my guide that cars with a style and/or purpose built around performance should have a forward rake. The other aspects of the car's build should reflect that as well. Cars that are built primarily for looks and cruising, ala customs, should be low, and either be level front to back, or raked towards the rear. Folks may disagree with me, but that's my formula and I'm sticking to it.
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