Re: How Good is '55 Non-TL Suspension?

Posted by clipper374 On 2009/3/27 18:10:03

My 55 Panama without tl rides like a truck. Of course it has very stiff springs in the rear. Handling is rough as it doesn't have power steering. I think power steering would make a huge difference. It has considerablle lean on corners. I installed radial tires on it about a year ago and it did help the handling a lot. I would recommend the radial tires as the are much safer. I feel better at 80 or 90 with the radials and the car grabs the pavement much better. No more tire howl around corners. I can't understand the stupidity of not allowing these tires on cars for judging at the National Packard Meets without getting a huge point discount. If they justify this as not original why don't they discount if the tires are not manufactured by the original suppliers. They don't knock down for Coker for instance. Radials are much safer.

Yes, I had a Clipper with tl. The ride was very soft and the cornering was great. It was very moody though. The leveler kept correcting all the time at highway speed as the wind lifted the front end. When stopping at a light, the rear would lift in the air and sit there until it leveled. Then when you started moving the rear end would go down and then have to level again. The only way around this was to find where you want it and turn off the switch.