My new all-stock 47 Caddy has lowering blocks in the rear. Looks like 2 inches. Was this done by the former owner just for looks? This would affect the handling, right? As a former racer I would say yes. Why wouldn't he have lowered the front to match? Oil pan clearance? Thanks My car is on the left. On the right is another car at the factory ride height.
Ever heard of a tail dragger? Because he didn’t want too. In the early 50’s rear lowered cars were every where I lived; mid 50 and late 50’s lowered the front…..then all hell broke loose.
If your car at one time looked like the photo on the right lowering the rear was probably done in an attempt to level the ride height. I’ve had a few cars with blocks on the rear and never noticed any change in the handling . Your Caddy looks good now.
The one on the right just looks too high in my own opinion. Lowering the rear transfers the weight of the car to the rear making it easier to steer. It also handles better going around corners as well. Less body roll. Plus, it looks good. No need to lower the front.
Ill test it soon. No race car in our history that I know of gained a handling advantage by being lowered only in the rear. Id like to hear more opinions. I agree it does look cool... Thanks
I 'd say yours has the best looking ride height. As far as handling I don't think you'll be running any gymkhanas with that car and for riding around town it will probably be just fine.
I drive all my cars pretty fast despite them being luxury led sleds. I lose hubcaps with alarming frequency, so Im moving to wire wheels. My car is the one near the garage door. BY "race car" I meant non-drag cars.
Lowering the rear makes the look sleeker, longer and period correct. It's part of the "cool" factor back in the day.
In theory, you're 100% correct. In reality, it's a Bad Ass lookin' 47 Caddy, not a canyon carver. Drive it and enjoy it the way it was meant to be... JMHO
I’m confused, you have a handling concern because the rear end is lowered…but you want to switch to wire wheels which will not handle as well as solid steel wheels? So long as the front end was properly aligned after the rear was dropped, it should not effect handling.
With all that said….I’d lower the front 3-4 and take out the rear blocks……I always got better mileage going down hill.
The Jalopy Journal
