Re: How Good is '55 Non-TL Suspension?
Posted by 55PackardGuy On 2009/3/27 21:39:06
Thanks for the replies, everybody.
Craig, good to hear from you. Any more thoughts on the TL's quirks would be most welcome.
374,
Interesting how stiffly sprung your Panama is. I wonder if this is a common experience with "sprung" V8 cars. I can't imagine that the '51 - '54 models were stiff riders. I wonder what changed, since they had similar body shells and frames. The V8 was a bit lighter than the straight 8's. Maybe they didn't adjust the coils enough to allow for that. But you also say the back springs were the harshest.
I never experienced the TL ride as particularly "soft," but in comparison with how you describe the Panama, I'm sure it was. I don't remember any problems with unwanted leveling at high speeds (90+) and, being in the back seat I would've noticed it. Also, the delay feature seemed to work fine during braking. Sometimes the Clipper Custom would be sitting in the garage and lift its tail in the air, but that was a malfunction that was repaired. Eventually, as you point out, the leveling was done manually with an override switch. The '55 400's TL worked flawlessly the whole time we had it. I drove that car the most of the two, and I loved the cornering but never found the ride all that great at speed. It didn't seem to have any advantage in ride quality over springs on gravel roads, which I drove a lot.
Quote:
Dragon,
Good for you for hunting down those cars. I'm still puzzled about how you managed to put 4-speed transmissions in them, and I bet others wonder too. That setup would really put the power of the V8s to good use. Pics would be nice. Or do you have a blog or thread going on that I've missed?
I wish you luck finding that Super. I only know the city where the 400 went, and its doubtful it would turn up. It could even be on a roster, but, dammit, I lost the last registration tag with the number. I found it in my dad's papers after he passed away. He didn't throw out much. I took it to work (no internet at home to search on) and it plum disappeared.
Craig, good to hear from you. Any more thoughts on the TL's quirks would be most welcome.
374,
Interesting how stiffly sprung your Panama is. I wonder if this is a common experience with "sprung" V8 cars. I can't imagine that the '51 - '54 models were stiff riders. I wonder what changed, since they had similar body shells and frames. The V8 was a bit lighter than the straight 8's. Maybe they didn't adjust the coils enough to allow for that. But you also say the back springs were the harshest.
I never experienced the TL ride as particularly "soft," but in comparison with how you describe the Panama, I'm sure it was. I don't remember any problems with unwanted leveling at high speeds (90+) and, being in the back seat I would've noticed it. Also, the delay feature seemed to work fine during braking. Sometimes the Clipper Custom would be sitting in the garage and lift its tail in the air, but that was a malfunction that was repaired. Eventually, as you point out, the leveling was done manually with an override switch. The '55 400's TL worked flawlessly the whole time we had it. I drove that car the most of the two, and I loved the cornering but never found the ride all that great at speed. It didn't seem to have any advantage in ride quality over springs on gravel roads, which I drove a lot.
Quote:
greendragon wrote:
both "dragons" are panamas "flying dragonII" is a 55 with springs. "green dragon" is a 56 with t/l. both are 4speed cars. "II" is under construction. "green dragon" is a running survivor that i'm working on putting back to as raced condition. Not sure where the original "flying dragon" is. she was a 55 super sedan. i would give anything to find her and bring her back to the family. i believe uncle said her last know location was the new braunfuls tx area around 1957 or 1958. She's prob. long gone
Dragon,
Good for you for hunting down those cars. I'm still puzzled about how you managed to put 4-speed transmissions in them, and I bet others wonder too. That setup would really put the power of the V8s to good use. Pics would be nice. Or do you have a blog or thread going on that I've missed?
I wish you luck finding that Super. I only know the city where the 400 went, and its doubtful it would turn up. It could even be on a roster, but, dammit, I lost the last registration tag with the number. I found it in my dad's papers after he passed away. He didn't throw out much. I took it to work (no internet at home to search on) and it plum disappeared.
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