How Good is '55 Non-TL Suspension?

Posted by 55PackardGuy On 2009/3/24 18:27:31

Every once in a while I see a '55 Super or Panama with conventional spring suspension. Has anyone had experience with this setup? I suppose it would be close to a '54 model of the same wheelbase, only with a V8, or is that really an apples-to-apples comparison? Any tweaking on the suspension of the '55 conventionally sprung Packards?

Many think a V8 Packard without Torsion Level is an ugly duckling, but never having driven a conventionally sprung model, I would be curious about how they ride and handle.

As many miles my dad drove the TL models, he always said that the ride, especially at high speeds, was harsher and noisier than a lot of conventionally sprung cars. Maybe he just drove fast enough to get continuous U-joint "roar", which was very noticeable at speeds over 75 or so. He maintained that the handling was the big advantage of the TL, not the ride. Some auto magazine reviews direct most of their praise to the handling, but I've never seen one that said it came at the expense of smooth, quiet ride.