Technical The Ala Kart Suspension: What was George thinking?

My lips are sealed !

 

Aw com'on, who?

 

I don't know exactly what Mr Barris used.

Here is what I do know. The truck was originally built for a friend of Blacky Gejeian who was there for the original design consult, according to an interview I read with him being interviewed. He said that George Barris wanted to use coil springs so that they could use air bags.

It was actually a common thing in the early '60s to spring hot rods with coils. What was used from what I recall the old timers teaching me (and what I practiced when I got older) was Corvair springs. The rears on the front and the fronts on the rear. Then if you needed more spring you bagged 'em.

 

More original pics and info....

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Bad times....

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You are correct on the air bag . They were around back in the day but not used as a popular choice for a custom build until re discovered during the last 20 years. Air lift load leveler shocks were used a lot in the 60’s and 70’s way before the shock wave design and I’m fairly sure that firestone sold helper bags in the ‘50’s.


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You are correct on the air bag . They were around back in the day but not used as a popular choice for a custom build until re discovered during the last 20 years. Air lift load leveler shocks were used a lot in the 60’s and 70’s way before the shock wave design and I’m fairly sure that firestone sold helper bags in the ‘50’s.


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Al, After all this discussion , looks like Ricky needs coil springs ?????

 

Well, it was fully chromed and out there for all and sundry to see (and criticize) so IMHO he put some thought into it even though today we might see it as crude. In its day it represented his concept of cutting edge technology.

 

Hey Bubba
Yup Ricky wants to duplicate this suspension. Now Tom will need to figure out how which is right down his alley. So coil springs are in the mix. Wonder how you figure the height rate and the rest of that part
Good to hear from ya
MrPhat40


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I would go see Cory Phillips ( Advanced Suspension on 21st st) , they make shocks etc for race cars . They may have some info on coil springs .

 

I was unaware the Packard use air suspension. I did encounter one of the torsion suspension Packards in the early 60s, but that adjusted level with an electric motor twisting the torsion bars. Really unique suspension, front and rear sort of linked with long torsion bars and electric height adj.

 

My grandpas 58 olds had air lift of some sort. I remember him raising the car when he would go into the corn fields to check out harvesting

 

The Ala Kart was originally built with carbs, the FI was added for show use. After AMT bought it, Bud Anderson had the FI removed and the four carbs reinstalled for street use. The fire was caused by the transparent red vinyl fuel line popular at the time. The line was only good for a limited time, long-term exposure to gasoline would cause it to soften/swell until it failed. That failure was the cause of the fire....

 

I bought mine to get the roadster - it was a double kit, "Enough parts to build 2 cars" ....

 

Car Craft Magazine did a T build project in the '60s using Corvair springs. It was a 10-month series.
I built one. Conventional hairpins / ladder bars.
Drove beautifully.
At 130+ mph

 

Nothing wrong with bags inside coil springs, as long as the bags don't rub.

Don't forget, you will need some sort of lateral location.
Panhard Bar, etc.

 

Ala-Kart was shown in 58. How in the hell did Barris get springs for a Corvair that did not hit the shelves until late 59 for 1960? I call ******** on Corvair springs being used.

 

Probably from a Dodge!

 

If you read through some of the responses Corvair springs were mentioned. I just wanted to say this is false is all.

 

I must have misunderstood.

 

I used Air Lift "Poly Air" bags in an OT 4x4. Air is a great progressive spring. In my application, I didn't put much air in them. The first few inches of travel was still pretty soft. As you got to full travel they were a bump stop of sorts. Great for Fall Guy landings If you put enough air in them to raise the weight of the car, they are a spring. Mine are 44 and still hold air. Mike

 

I used MII springs from Summit on my Mysterion. They fit perfectly. Came Chrome plated too. Here is my Ala Kart build. Built a few years ago so had to get parts off ebaY, I printed and added the Barris crests on the lower cowl.

 

I have copy of this. you can get your '58 Ford with Fordaire. I was considering finding the parts for my 57 to have a setup like this.
but I believe the setup had a factory compressor on the engine I have only seen one one eBay and it was pricey.