from Traditional Images 3 months ago Hello, How low can you go legally? That Impala is very low. As a matter of fact, he probably got stopped many times for the CHP measurement law. “Nothing can be lower than the lowest point on the rims.” The idea being if there is a flat tire or blowout, at least the rims will hold up the car until one can get over to the curb or side of the road, safely. Thanks, @themoose for the last creation photo of our 58 Impala as it looked in 63... Our 1958 Impala when owned (Fall 57 to Summer 61) by my brother was never lowered. It was given a clamped front rake due to clips put on the springs, just to get a look at what a 58 Impala would look like when dropped in front a little bit. But, from past usage of clamps and then, cut coils, the ride was not the best feel for long distance driving road trips or even the short quarter mile runs at Lion’s Dragstrip. We had a good suspension with the new car and it handled and rode well for the times. Plus, most of the cars in the stock car classes such as the one we raced, A/Stock, were just that, stock. No modifications of any kind was allowed. (that stuff came later...) It had to be the way it came from the dealer’s showroom with factory supplied items. So, no cams/lifters, no ported/polished heads, and no headers. Stock... as some trophy winners had tear downs to prove the major victories in those competitive classes. Jnaki But, what we noticed after ownership and plenty of road trip miles all over So Cal was the car started to lower itself and definitely gave it a different look. No one noticed it as it was gradual, while not level one day and lower the next. Our stock suspension was just being used and settling nicely. My brother did get stopped by the local CHP and police. When I took ownership in 1960-61, I too, got stopped just driving normally on a Friday night cruise. Why? Well, 4 teenagers in the Impala lowered the normal suspension and now, it was low. How low? I never got a fix-it ticket because, although it looked lowered with the 4 teenagers in their seats, it was not lowered when we all got out for the official CHP measurement or vehicle check. And additional 700+ lbs or so, (4 x 180+/-) automatically lowered the whole car while moving around the local streets. My friends and I even got stopped when cruising around with a couple of girls. Their 100 lbs + our 180+ weight was enough to lower the car to “pull over” status. It was embarrassing while on “dates,” but everyone knew it was going to happen one day or other as teenagers. YRMV Note: One sad thing we witnessed, several years ago, we were coming home going across the I-5 freeway cross over bridge. Up ahead, was some black smoke we could see coming down the hill approaching the freeway. The line up of cars was just starting and the CHP was already on the scene directing traffic. The one fire truck and firefighters were putting out a fire on the sidewalk and the trunk of this 55 Chevy sedan was open and smoke was billowing from below. The whole rear of the 55 Chevy was obscured due to the black smoke. What looked like happened was that the lowered 55 Chevy sedan was overloaded. The beach supplies were piled up on the sidewalk and the family was talking to the other CHP officer. The smoke was black and trunk, still on fire. Since the lowest part of the sedan was the gas tank, it must have scraped and the resulting spark set off something, which set off other things, etc. The whole idea of a lowered car is cool, but there are laws to showcase what shouldn’t happen if and when the low limits are not followed willingly or not. Remember, a legally lowered car cannot have anything lower than the rim height. It may be legal when starting off, but load in the supplies, the family and now, it becomes lower than legal height. So be careful out there and remember the limits. YRMV
The Jalopy Journal
