Technical New to me 1949 Styleline Special Business Coupe

I'm a new member but a longtime searcher and follower.
And I'm in dire need of expert advice/help.

I just purchased this car a couple of weeks ago and I've been searching online daily for wheel and tire ideas and associated specs. But, there isn't a lot of detail in peoples posts regarding their specs.

This is what I would like to do:

I would like to lower it as low as possible, statically without cutting anything; 3" or 4" front and back.
And would like a set of steel wheels, either red or glass black, 15x5, 15x6, or 15x7, with wide whitewall radials.

This first pic is my vehicle, the others are what I would like mine to look like.

Please I need your specific help and advice.
I realize that some may be bagged but they are just for reference.

 

If you want to do it like the good ol' days, you'll de-arch the rear springs, and cut 2 coils up front.
Wheels would be stock '49-'53, or '54-'55 Chev., reversed, depending on if you'll ever run stock caps. Paint them black, by all means …. and get rid of the silly dummy lights & that mirror ...

 

Second pic you posted is my car.

It has stepped lower A-arms, Aerostar springs, and no bump stops in front. Rear has a 3" block, a number of leaves removed, notched frame, trunk floor clearanced for pumpkin, no bump stops, re-worked tunnel. V8 open drive line conversion.

More or less a 7" static drop. Pretty tough to drive on Missouri back roads.

 

It now has a no limit front, jiminez 2 bar rear, on bags. No build thread, because it is not Hamb friendly. Almost back on the road!

 

Quite frankly, I really like your car the way it is. AND it's a COUPE! There is no way that you can lower a 2 door sedan enough to make it look as good as a coupe.

There is a thread on here the last couple of days that is about "Can a car look to low"; you should look at it. Not withstanding the problems with ride and clearance, excessive lowering just doesn't look good to me.

Leave it alone, drive it a while, and I think you may just come to like it.

 

Nostrebor:
Thanks. I love the way your car looks.
Can you also give me your wheel and tire specs? Size, width, backspacing, tire size, white wall width? Much appreciated! Having these specs will help futureproof my wheel/tire purchase should I decide to bag it someday.

Tubman:
I appreciate your advice, however I've never been able to leave any of my vehicles stock, they either get lowered or lifted. Not always to an extreme, but sometimes just eliminating any unnecessary wheel and tire gap.

 

I never said to leave them stock; just don't go overboard!

 

Ok. Not cheap but this is an option.
https://www.fatmanfab.com/product/1949-1954-chevy-dropped-uprights
Blocks, lowering springs or dearched springs in the back.
An air lift set up in the rear could help ya handling some of the obstacles of driving low. The set up works with your leaf springs.

 

I get wanting to lower it some, I think most of us do it to some extent; But you want to keep it drive-able, able to leap small speed-bumps without grinding or scraping or enter driveways without helper ramps, etc.. My opinion is 3-4" max. in the rear and a couple of inches in front. Classy looking and still able to have fun with it. Added bonus is, once it is lowered in the back you will have a good reason why your girlfriend's chubby friend can't ride in the back... you're welcome, lol.

 

When folks tell ya they didn’t drop cars that far back in the day, show em this.


Here is its story
https://kustomrama.com/wiki/Larry_Watson's_1950_Chevrolet

 

Thanks. I definitely don't want to do this cheaply.
The goal is to lower it about 4" max and have the best ride possible.
The difficulty i'm having is in the wheel and tire size to use at a 4" drop.
no issue with people riding in the back..no back seat in this option.

 

Here is some more info.
https://www.jamcosuspension.com/products/sfID1/31/sfID2/236/sfID3/234/productID/897

 

This is one I had. Suspension was a jamco 3”-4” lowering kit with an added 3” block in the rear (scrub line was pretty damn close). Wheels were 15x6 and tires were 215/70/15 radials. I think I remember cutting the front bump stops and the rear was pretty close to the frame.


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

Thanks nice stance!

 

If you want the name on the side off and it’s not under clear coat use ez off oven cleaner and a 1/2” paint brush with most of the brissels cut off.
I’d drive it for a while first then change things. For lowering, 2 coils or AeroStars will net the same. 2 or 3” lowering blocks in the rear. 15x5” In the front with 205-75 or 78 series because you don’t have power steering and need to turn it. 15x6” in the rear with 215 or 225 75’s will fit nice or go with same as the front. If you it flat. Good luck nice coupe

 

Thanks.. You noticed that.. someone named it "Black Widow" on both rear fenders, it also has some hotrod pinstriping. I haven't been able to determine if it was clearcoated over yet. But thanks for the advice.

 

These are the wheels/tire looks I'm leaning towards at the moment (stock is mostly non-existant during this pandemic).
I'm leaning towards a 15x5 or 15x6 depending on the wheel (the offset difference is minimal).


Not sure on whitewall width yet.

 

You missed the things on the headlights.

 

Those are definitely next.

 

Nice Chevy coupe .Looks like my brothers first car. He didn't lower it , but put a warmed over GMC 6 in it .

 

I know it is very popular to lower many of these cars but I don't care for that look.
I really think it looks fine the way it came from the factory or maybe just a little higher!

Jimbo

 

It’s a fad that started in the 30s

 

I will grab you some stats on the wheels tire... I can't remember off the top of my head on those.

 

Thank you.
And thanks for your comments gentlemen.

What are your guys thoughts on red wheels?
I like the contrast.

 

A good friend of mine owns this truck... posting because the wheel selection is the same as your thoughts, and with wide whites. I personally think red is a bit played out, and like what Leevon did with his. He found a GM color that was a nice contrast with black, but not your typical choice. Worked out really nice on his truck.

Food for thought.

 

Thanks for the ideas.
Saw this on ebay, looks like a great deal.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1950-Chevrolet-Syleline-Coupe/223754463869

 

Damn dummy lights blinded me ….
Those wheels in post 17 look like farm machinery equipment.

 

They are what they used to sell with fake wire wheel baskets over them when wires were the thing, now they sell them in flat black and no wire basket. Hey, why waste the tooling!

 

Latest pics.
Borrowing my buddies 14" Impala wheels/tires for a bit.
Much better looking.