'53 Ride Height

[ralt12]

They're 17's, and yeah, it is a pretty serious machine. But not one of those Pro Street things; only 275 in the back, and 255 in the front. Compared to a lot of today's performance cars, that's not a lot.

'53 Commander

[ralt12]

They're 17's, and yeah, it is a pretty serious machine. But not one of those Pro Street things; only 275 in the back, and 255 in the front. Compared to a lot of today's performance cars, that's not a lot.

'53 Commander

[ralt12]

'53 Ride Height

Anybody have a stock '53 C ride height at the rocker right behind the front wheel and right in front of the rear wheel?
I'm thinking this is too low for me, and I'd like to get a little closer to stock.

http://nelson-motorsports.com/IMG_2184.JPG

http://nelson-motorsports.com/IMG_2185.JPG

'53 Commander

[Tom Bredehoft]

I'd like to think mine is close. The front, bottom flange of the rocker panel is 7 1/4, the back 10 inches. Before I measured I'd have sworn it was nearer parallel the ground than that.

I guess the best thing to do is have everyone measure theirs and take an average.

[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Bothcars4.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe
'55 President State Sedan
(Under Construction) 134 hrs.
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars

[Tom Bredehoft]

I'd like to think mine is close. The front, bottom flange of the rocker panel is 7 1/4, the back 10 inches. Before I measured I'd have sworn it was nearer parallel the ground than that.

I guess the best thing to do is have everyone measure theirs and take an average.

[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Bothcars4.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe
'55 President State Sedan
(Under Construction) 134 hrs.
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars

[StudeRich]

Those rocker to ground numbers vary a lot because not everyone uses tall tires like the original and each brand is different.

I do not think you will ever achieve the correct "look" as long as you have those 18 in. wheels and 50 or less aspect ratio tires or whatever they are, because you will never see the top half of the tire, no matter how high you raise the car, until you get into 4X4 territory!![:0]

But on the other hand, if it is a serious hot rod you should not care!
I suppose another 1 1/2 to 2 in. higher in front and a little in back would make it look a little less like a funny car though.

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[StudeRich]

Those rocker to ground numbers vary a lot because not everyone uses tall tires like the original and each brand is different.

I do not think you will ever achieve the correct "look" as long as you have those 18 in. wheels and 50 or less aspect ratio tires or whatever they are, because you will never see the top half of the tire, no matter how high you raise the car, until you get into 4X4 territory!![:0]

But on the other hand, if it is a serious hot rod you should not care!
I suppose another 1 1/2 to 2 in. higher in front and a little in back would make it look a little less like a funny car though.

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[lstude]

Special Interest Autos Magazine says it is 7.1 inches to the front gravel pan.



Leonard Shepherd

http://leonardshepherd.com/

[lstude]

Special Interest Autos Magazine says it is 7.1 inches to the front gravel pan.



Leonard Shepherd

http://leonardshepherd.com/

[Dick Steinkamp]

Looks good to me! []

Keep in mind that if it's too low, you're too old.

[Dick Steinkamp]

Looks good to me! []

Keep in mind that if it's too low, you're too old.

[S2DSteve]

What Dick said. If you can still drive it, it's not too low!


Steve Hudson
The Dalles, Oregon
1937 Dictator Flatback sedan (for sale)
1949 "GMOBaker" 1-T Dually (workhorse)
1953 Commander Convertible (show & go)
1953 Champion Starliner (custom/rod project)
1954 Champion Coupe (daily driver)
1960 Hawk (future project?)

[S2DSteve]

What Dick said. If you can still drive it, it's not too low!


Steve Hudson
The Dalles, Oregon
1937 Dictator Flatback sedan (for sale)
1949 "GMOBaker" 1-T Dually (workhorse)
1953 Commander Convertible (show & go)
1953 Champion Starliner (custom/rod project)
1954 Champion Coupe (daily driver)
1960 Hawk (future project?)

[Frank Starr]

Leonard's 7.1-inches from Special Interest Auto's is probably a pretty good figure. They were a pretty reliable source.

The other thing is that as far as I have been able to determine, the center (flat) part of the frame should be level to the ground. Most cars aren't that way now unless the springs have been replaced. 'Course, you may want a drop, but that's not to be confused with saggy springs.

Your wife can probably explain sag to you.

Frank Starr
Seattle

[Frank Starr]

Leonard's 7.1-inches from Special Interest Auto's is probably a pretty good figure. They were a pretty reliable source.

The other thing is that as far as I have been able to determine, the center (flat) part of the frame should be level to the ground. Most cars aren't that way now unless the springs have been replaced. 'Course, you may want a drop, but that's not to be confused with saggy springs.

Your wife can probably explain sag to you.

Frank Starr
Seattle