Features Rolling Bones front suspension

Well there you go. This time it took 149 posts before somebody just had to say that the Rolling Bones boys didn't invent the style of suspension they use on their hot rods.

 

Doane Spencer
As my brothers in the south say "THATS RIGHT"

 

I don't believe there is any disrespect to Doane! The ***ociation with this design is easy to relate to the Rolling Bones shop,There are build threads and pictures to see it in the building stages(I don,t believe there are pictures of Doane's Roadsters build) The legends of our Hobby will always be remember!! We just copy their great designs!!! Pete

 

Well said Pete.......The Bones Boys will be the first to tell you it is Doane's design.......They just ran with it.

 

I don't think anyone is offended by the Rolling Bones ***ociation with this, they're really nice guys who will give credit where it's due. My Doane Spencer comment may not be entirely accurate either, but it's what I ***ociate this suspension style with. Doane may not have been the first to do it either.

There are pictures of Doane's car dis***embled. I believe it they were taken between his first and second builds of the same car.

All the respect in the world to the RB crew and to Mr. Spencer.

 

I'm not sure what we could call this particular style of suspension, there are names for other styles like suicide etc.,
I'd just like to see it called something that would not point to any one individual or shop for that matter.
That's just how I feel about it, not being offended or anything.

 

I always thought it was called "spring behind". Your build inspired mine, Larry!

 

I'm not seeing much of a copy of Doanes work in the 'Bones front end ... just influence.
If you get into the details both designs have major differences.
The only things that both really share are an undropped Ford axle and the spring behind it.
The use of cowl steering on both doesn't really enter into it.
If I specified to some shop that I wanted a Doane Spencer frontend, I'd be disappointed if they rolled me out a ch***is with the 'Bones style!
Having said that ... I absolutely LOVE the 'Bones style front end ... I just don't see it as any kind of mirror image of what Doane Spencer used.

 

All valid points Hacker.

 

Doane Spencer built the first prototype in the 50's, and the Rolling Bones put that style into production. The "Bones" know what works and looks good! I would consider both artists.

 

What I like about the RB front is the visual affect of the car is floating , with out support . IT adds to the minamalst full compa***ion look that was the norm in racing in the 1940 s
IF IT ADD WEIGHT LEAVE IT AT HOME !

 

To me the major feature that differs between the Doane Spencer ch***is and a Rolling Bones is the very subtile Z in the front of the frame. Hard to see, black paint hides it, the ch***is was on display in the early 1950's the only real clear shot I've ever seen. Just a nice clean looking setup, that is why so many people like it. Bob

 

All I know is it is super slick and thats why I am emulating it on my 31 sedan build. It gives the effect of wheels and axle hangingTN in the breeze and you really have to look to see how it all operates. Its just sick!

 

I have to agree it's look that's hard to beat, super clean and simple looking.
There was a guy in the UK, Nick Butler, who used torsion bars hidden in the frame to achieve a similar "no spring" look.

 

Just read back through this getting ideas for my old RPU that I'm still going to finish. Is this thing done yet?

 

Here is an under construction pic of mine. Never mind the tie rod out front, its no longer there....

 

Go for it and you will not be sorry.....Great looking front end for a hot rod....