Re: Weight Distribution- Convertible Coupe

Posted by TxGoat On 2023/4/14 11:32:56

Most all front engine, rear drive cars carry more weight up front, especially if not carrying passengers and luggage.
Your 120 Packard powerplant weighs around 750 pounds. However, the body and rear axle are also heavy, and a portion of the engine/transmission weight is carried on the rear wheels, since the engine is almost entirely behind the front wheel hub centers, unlike modern cars. The car's overhang, which is the parts of the car that are ahead of the front axle, is much less than the rear overhang. You have more of the body behind the rear axle, and the rear bumper is farther back of the axle than the front bumper is ahead of the front axle. A non-sidemount 120 convertible coupe with a full tank of fuel, rumble seat, jack, etc and the spare in the trunk should have excellent front/rear weight balance, probably better than 60/40, and a whole lot better than most cars of the era. Anything located to the rear of the rear axles subtracts from the weight carried on the front wheels. The farther back it is, the more it subtracts. The 120 convertible coupe without sidemounts is among the best balanced cars of its time or any time. Side mount weight, if present, would be split between the front and rear wheels, and would not significantly affect the car's balance or center of gravity. The convertible coupe's center of gravity is substantially lower than that of the sedan bodies, and lower than average for cars of the era. I would not consider any modification of the car as concerns its weight distribution. It's far better than average, and about as good as it gets, assuming 50/50 is ideal, which may not be the case.