I think it's bitchin looking in that "Best-of-Rube" kind of way but why is it jacked up so high? Those half (1/4?) shafts and lower arms should de sitting level at rest to look right and function well. Oh < I see the inboard coils now, maybe bags would make it adjust easier, and then he could build an on board Rube Goldberg air compressor too, maybe run a lever activated pump off one of the shock arms.....!
Some pics from Ray's incredible photo collection. I think the center section is a Ford Banjo converted to a quickchange. Buick drums,with Jaguar axles and uprights.
[ QUOTE ] Oh < I see the inboard coils now, [/ QUOTE ] I don't see any coils, just a thin leaf spring mounted inside the crossmember and then shackles down to the hub carriers. I saw pictures of this car going together years ago in StreetRodder magazine as one of their Garage Scene editorials. This car is a narrowed touring (two place, one in front one in back) full of some really cool bits. If I remember right this guy had one hell of a collection of Woodlites and E&J stuff as well as old brass lanterns and and accetelene lamps. As far as the angle of the lower arms, well it could be a light weight spring and when he jumps in or two up it may flatten out. But dead level isn't always the best set up. Depending on the charicteristics of the car a higher roll center is desireable. In fact if you look at most SLA (Short Long Arm) IFS or IRS the bottom arm (the L in SLA) is most always mounted higher at its attachment point.
Wonder if the C clips on the uppercontrol arms (half shafts...) have trouble like they do on C2-C3 corvettes when you push em?
Don't the Vettes use an upper a-arm on the back too? I know the older ones did. The Jags are hard on U-joints because there is no upper arm to help transfer the cornering loads. The half shafts act as the upper a-arm.
It almost looks like it uses a Columbia 2 speed rear in addition to the Quick Change center section. What a combination of bits and pieces.
[ QUOTE ] It almost looks like it uses a Columbia 2 speed rear in addition to the Quick Change center section. What a combination of bits and pieces. [/ QUOTE ] Good eye! It is basically composed of an old (either Frankland or Cook)quick change center section with the Columbia 2-speed on shortened housings utilizing Lincoln backing plates and Buick drums.The halfshafts,hubs,control arms,and friction shocks are totally handbuilt.The wheels are 19" wires(not sure exactly what).It is in fact a narrowed touring(single seat front and rear)on a 145" wheelbase.Motive power is a Model B with a Cragar overhead valve conversion and Winfield carburetors.The front suspension uses quarter elliptic springs and the radiator shell is hand fabricated ala Miller race car, At the time these pics were taken(several years ago)the car was not running due to carburetor problems.There was no interior in it and the ride height had yet to be adjusted. Enclosed is a pic of the nose.Note the louvers in the top of the hood(graduated in size;each one cut by hand).
There were a couple of old English sports cars, I think Allard and maybe Dellow? that used Ford center sections converted to IRS but most of them were swing axle.
[ QUOTE ] There were a couple of old English sports cars, I think Allard and maybe Dellow? that used Ford center sections converted to IRS but most of them were swing axle. [/ QUOTE ] I think you are right;If I remember correctly they were the low-pivot style that Mercedes used for years and Corvair used a variation of also.
The Jalopy Journal
