Too low? Really? Anyone else think is a odd topic for this forum? Hotrod are lowered, period. Gassers are raised, period. It's a staple of the hobby. I'm kind of at a loss as to what is being considered "too low". Granted, I can understand if the body is hangin below the "scrub line" if he gets a flat tire then it's a bad thing, but speed bumps have been the enemy of the hotrodder just about forever. Now the flip side : When I built my roadster I was after a certain "look". In my mind, I achieved that look. BUT, in total honesty, the engine, trans, hairpins and grill shell are too low. On my next build, the engine and other parts will be relocated so I don't have to worry about speed bumps.
i don't do anything for someone else that i wouldn't do for myself. its much easier to keep a solid reputation than repair a damaged one.
The one who asks why, will never understand the mind set of the one who asks why not. For being a why not, I am greatfull.
I think the issue is all these cars that look like they're trying to get the dang carburetor below the scrub line.
Are speed bumps really a big issue? When I had a lowered car and lived in an apartment, I'd go over em with one wheel, but I don't know that I've been over on in any vehicle in over a year...
No speeds bumps generally aren't a big deal but being safe with kids in the car is to me. Again, I do not care how you run your car. Matters none at all to me. If you are in your 20's and single and no kids, I can understand extreme. My problem besides the dead raccoons was having my kid (s) in the car and having to dart across traffic to go into a store parking lot which is always inclined. I get pissed when someone in front of me is taking all day to get over the entrance also when I'm behind him and trying to beat the oncoming traffic. To me, and this may not be popular with some, but to me hot rodding has passed the time when considerations for others was down the line of importance. IMO if you are going to drive in todays traffic, your car should be capable and safe in doing that. A car indeed can be built low and safe. Some I see are indeed hazards.
constantly scanning the road for potholes, taking alternate routes because of road surface, completely omitting the option of some parking lots, and taking a slam that most people thing will break your car may not be for everyone... but i wouldnt have it any other way.
you know I find the latest flurry of "oh I lowered my car and now it rides rough" or "whats up with all these lowered cars" threads rather off topic and in some cases just plain stupid. You lower a 50+ year old car on a full frame and expect it to ride like a fucking cadi? HELL no, it's gonna ride like a fucking lowered car, and be bumpy and buck on some of the bigger hits...deal with it. That s part of driving a lowered car. As for why...look at ALL the detroit renderings from the 40's and 50's. every one of those cars looked like they where laid out with over exagerated lines. A lowered car looks more sleek and aero dynamic. Period. And alot of the guys that are into the hobby today come from a background involving Mini Trucks, Lowriders and VW's. So lowering a car to the ground and then learning how to drive it like that was just part of the game and still is.
people always ask me why i would do that to a car and make it ride worse. my answer always is... it's like a woman in high heels. it hurts to look good.
Women in high heels hurt you when you look at em? BTW Slide... carb below the scrub line... That's stinkin funny!!!!
haha! no shit i hear Detroit area has horrible roads. i would take the Pepsi challenge with Houston's roads anyday though. one time i hit a pothole... on the freeway. it was about as big as a manhole, and about 8 inches deep with a sharp edge. bent my wheel and blew my tire out. seriously, how do you dodge a pothole, muchless see one doing 75 in 4 lanes of sardine traffic? something that kinda catches you off guard.
A Speedbump has to be built to certain spec. The legal limit on the height is, I believe 5". So I built my cars to more than 5", and I dont have any problems. My Truck has a Camaro Clip that is running on its normal rideheight. No Bumpsteer, hitting the Bumpstops, or other things you can sometimes have with Lowerd Cars. Same with the Rear Suspension. It still rides in its normal range of Travel, but its just moved up to Lower the Vehicle. It doesnt ride like a Stock Truck... It rides a lot better.
www.youtube.com/v/SOBBxSeFPvI See if this video works. If it does you can see the approach on my driveway is what dictated how low the car could be. As long as I can get back in my driveway I'm all set. I had myself (200 lbs.) and a buddy who's pushing 300 lbs. in the car a few weeks ago and it didn't even drag at the sidewalk.
When guys are young, they do extreme stuff. Separating yourself from the herd, and all that. I think it's that simple.
Some of the roads around here are amazing in that the state hasn't fixed the potholes on freeway I-40. Actually the two-laners aren't so bad, it's the freeway that sucks. Get away from the city a few miles and it's pretty good. One on-ramp is entered safely by staying in the bicycle lane for about a 1/4 mile. A while back I was taking Granddaughter somewhere in my 4x4 Ranger and when we approached the small summit before the off-ramp she commented on how the potholes near the bridge had nearly yanked the steering wheel out of her hands while she was driving her mom's Ranger - she has her learners permit, look out world. I told her to stay out of the area most traveled and off to the side about a car-width when she went over the bridge. Showing her what I was talking about, I moved over and when I hit the series of potholes my Ranger jumped over about a car-width. Sumbitch. So much for lessons and examples. The area had gotten much worse than it had been. State highway or not, I'm pretty sure the city crews went up and filled the potholes with fresh asphalt on their own and we're still waiting for the state to make repairs.
Okay, one more of me just idling around the fairgrounds looking for my trailer. The wild temperature swings coupled with the use of salt in the winter make our roads up here unbelievable. They're so bad the pavement is gone in many places exposing the turn of the century bricks underneath. And even the brick roads have pot holes in them!
low and mean looking are one thing.. old school rodz low and dragging are another.. those cars are usually pieces of shit anyways, dangerous, and shouldnt be on the road.. heres my car (pic with the old front tires)... looks low, but has plenty of clearance under there.. and id like to think it doesnt look shit like the cars i hate, hahaha..
This is Flower's roadster on the right, compared to that Pantara (or whatever it is) it isn't too low, even though it's been Z'd 6" in front and 8" in the rear. Of course on the other end of the spectrum is the gasser shoebox that Groucho had.....plenty of clearance there but not a skyscraper.
I personally am not into ultra low cars, but if that's what the customer wants and you want his money...then build it. You could educate him on the follies of having a car that low and if he is willing to go ahead with it, so be it you, gave him the disclaimer. As for the tradition debate....you build your car for yourself! I like highboy traditional cars...but that's my taste, I try to not to push it on others, but I don't believe in cars that are so low and obscene that they have to be trailered...why have it its a waste!! I think all the different opinions and ideas is what keeps this hobby/lifestyle evolving and fun. traditional/custom/"newstalgia" hotrodders all have there own tastes and dislikes and not everyone will agree with each other. As long as good taste and a well thought out plan is used to make a car functional and fun what more could you ask for. Cheers Tim
used ta set the bumper right on top of curbs with this .really freaked folks out when i scraped into place.... but it was hell if ya went to far and had to go lift it up if the bumper went over it and dropped on the other side zero travel in the rear ....drove it alot ..mpls to desmoines twice and everyday until snow .. scraped the frame often all exhaust was level or above... i remember seeing casters on rear corners of cars in mags .... low is not ez to live with .. its a way to be ... dragged a metal runner snow sled around with a cooler on it at car shows "this sleds cooler"
This is why I love old Mopars. A pair of 3" blocks in the back and 20 turns on the torsion adjustment bolt is a lot easier than an 8" Z in the frame.
I guess i better get my shit together on this speed bump stuff.In a couple of months it's balls to the wall....lolol
they have been puting in speed tables in parking lots and around schools. those are more of a bitch than bumps most are about 8" high witha 24" falt top
I bet you wish you could do that...but then he would bite you! That Buick is crazy, the straight 8 engine is looong. Should be a nice ride when finished.
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