Ok, so I don't want to get over enthusiastic here, but I just measured the stance on my new '41. There's a 3/4 inch fall from front of running board to rear, and I'm thinking of taking a further inch out at the back. But, I don't want to get into a cartoonish taildragger look, so I'm wondering if anyone has any information on what kind of reverse rake would fit on a late 40s custom..? Here's the car as it sits now.
Looks 40s perfect whereit is. I'd get taller conventional whitewalls instead of those radials tho. Thats if my eyes are seeing right on this ph. Nice.
I agree with CadMad. The stance is fine, but if you're concerned about period look, switch tyres to bias wide whites.
Agreed with all of the above. But if you must........ The pic of Jesse Lopez standing next to the car you can get an idea of stance. His car rode on 15" wheels. But to get it that low required flattening the rear cross member and I believe a dropped axle up front. For more details on tire size ect. check out the Lopez clone thread. Torchie.
Here's 26 pages of research for ya... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/t-a-i-l-d-r-a-g-g-e-r-s-again.50007/
The Lopez car is a great advert for dropping the back another inch....but the 26 pages of taildraggers confirms what we all already know - some are higher, some are lower; they always were, and always will be...
I agree with the majority here, the stance is great, and while the current tires aren't bad, bias tires would be even better. Beautiful car, very nice roofline, and that's not easy to achieve on the 41-48 coupes.
Here's my 41 - it is as close as I can get it to the look my Grandpa hopped her up prior to and right after (46-47) WWII - the cars then were more restrained and in some ways makes them more useable. I think your 41 sits perfect as is!
taller 16" bias plys for me also Oh and a big log to throw in the boot when you feel like going lower like most of the early customs did during photo shoots back then...
I love your/your grandad's '41. And the point about it actually being useable is very true. I mustn't forget that I'm already massively lower than a stocker. And I like the idea of temporary lowering with a log!
For the late 40`s look, I`d lower the rear or raise the front end up. But I always tend to have different opinions than other people.
Looks great, don't lower it to the point of impracticality if you intend to drive it! If you're really pedantic about period details go bias ply, and if you prefer your car to stop, go and corner better, the modern whitewalls are just fine. Fat fenders aren't usually my cup of tea, but your '41 is real nice.
haha love this yeah throw some sand bags in the back!! I just came across this because im looking to do the same and I also agree a taller tire up front would work for ya? but i like the big log in the boot idea! ha