A friend and I were talking last night about a car he had seen at the CHRR. It had an upside down frame, a Model A I think. Anyone seen it or have any shots of it? Just curious.
Looks like a Dodge Bros frame, but I can't imagin that the springs would be very effective in that configuration. I'll bet the NSRA guys have a real problem with it.
Unhhhh.... I don't get it.. I mean they basically hung the body from the axles. There is no suspension. I'd think it would ride like shit... Ahhhhhh it makes my head hurt...
Thats pretty damn cool, if slightly cartoonish. That rear suspension is the first spring setup arranged that way that looks like it would work. The front...not so much, especially without shackles. But the rear...interesting....
Looks like an original semi-eliptic frame to me rather than a Ford... Thats an incredible car. Sure would like to have a couple of hours to look at the real vehicle up close! Look at all the odd ball parts...yet its perfectly proportioned. Whats the rear suspension? I'm not getting a clear look...maybe a wishbone system with AXLE mounted 1/4 eliptics? That car rules!
[ QUOTE ] Thats pretty damn cool, if slightly cartoonish. That rear suspension is the first spring setup arranged that way that looks like it would work. The front...not so much, especially without shackles. But the rear...interesting.... [/ QUOTE ] The shackles on the front axle are at the rear of the spring the way they should be. Not that it makes much difference the springs can't do much in that direction anyway. The front axle looks like an early dodge bungs welded to a round tube. At least the bungs look just like the setup on my original '23 Dodge axle.
It looks to me like the suspension consists of parallel leaf springs front and rear. I can see the shackles on the front and rear springs. The frame looks just like the 32 Chevy frame we used on Woodys truck.
I can see no reason why it won't ride the same as an normal setup. There are springs, and there are shackles where required, and just because the springs are not bent in the normal direction doesn't mean they aren't going to flex. Okay, it probably won't work as well as a traditional type setup, but it'll work to a degree, which is as much as most show cars do.
Ok, I see the front shackles now.... Make those front springs curve the opposite direction, and it should work like any other parallel leaf spring setup. Would make for a very cool lakes car, full bellypan and all. I like the frame hanging down low.
I just noticed that the long leaf is on the top of each spring. I wonder how it rides... I'm starting to think it might work fairly ok.
[ QUOTE ] Now what's the make of the car in the add? American Underslung? [/ QUOTE ] American Underslung
It probably rides and handles better than most buggy sprung hot rods. He's got plenty of suspension travel,something most lowered beam axle cars don't have. By mounting the shorter leaves on the underside of the main leaf,they will work just fine. If you search the HAMB archives for "underslung",you will find more info.
[ QUOTE ] It probably rides and handles better than most buggy sprung hot rods. He's got plenty of suspension travel,something most lowered beam axle cars don't have. By mounting the shorter leaves on the underside of the main leaf,they will work just fine. If you search the HAMB archives for "underslung",you will find more info. [/ QUOTE ] The only thing is that your not riding on the suspension, your hanging from it.
wouldn't the front of frame rails tend to drag bottom on that tan modified? How tall were those tires? Looks like 28 Chevy wheels[solids]
[ QUOTE ] The only thing is that your not riding on the suspension, your hanging from it. [/ QUOTE ] I suppose if you're worried about inferior hardware, the could be an issue... But any car riding with the rear axle riding on top of parallel leafs is hanging from the axle...they seem to do just fine.
That should make the whine about "scrub line" a moot point, be a lot safer to have the frame be the contact point in case of catastrophic failure than a wishbone nut or some other sharp protrusion. Certianly safer than a suicide setup and gotta respect the "dare to do different" attitude. I say why not...
That car was a Studebaker turing with just the back half gone and the frame turned upside down and the body remounted to the old bottom.
[ QUOTE ] I'll bet the NSRA guys have a real problem with it. [/ QUOTE ] Ummmmm... who gives a shit about what they think? ------------- I love the wheels on that car... What are they off of?
That is pretty neat. It is amazing what is thought up just when you think there is a certain way of doing something. Definitly has a look. larry
springs work the same both in compression and tension. i dont think it would really matter which way you had the spring, other than the geometry of the shackle, but who gives a shit, its a sweet hot rod.
i love the car and i garauntee it rides better than most cars of the era. i worked as a suspension mechanic for years and have quite a bit of experience designing and building "unique" suspensions. you should see some of the suspensions on heavy trucks. ever heard of a "rubber ride" suspension?? it is exactly what the name implies. the vehicle rides on a VERY hard 6" tall piece of rubber. there are other much stranger setups out there too. this whole car KICKS ASS, even if the front wheels are HUGE and give it a slightly cartoonish look. i like it!!
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