"History of Hydraulics" cars in 1956 on the planet!

Daium! Really? That is too cool. Is that the one that has been talked some in the VW group on here that is actually in someones shop now?

And actually, the 1st ever set up in the X-Sonic was a port-a-power manual pump operated with an handle that was next to the seat. Didnt have an AC set up until later, think '59.
While Logue's car had since, if i remember right, 1957.

Curious to see the Belair youre talkin about.

 

I wonder what parts of the frame had to be strengthened and were modifications to the tires done?

 

The deal is, Packard was the first with self levelling torsion bar suspension on all 4 wheels 1955-56 models. Chrysler answered with their own Torsion bar system on the front wheels only in 1957.

GM's answer was air bag suspension on all 4 wheels, optional equipment on some GM cars in 1958 and 59. It was quickly dropped from production when they found out it was unreliable and a service and warranty nightmare.

Ford offered air bags as an addition to their coil spring/leaf spring suspension but never had a full air bag, or torsion bar system.

So, in some ways the Packard system was the best and most fully thought out. Chrysler's partial system (front wheels only) was very successful and was a mainstay of their rear drive cars for 25 years.

GM and Ford's were flops that they tried to forget as quickly as possible.

 

^^^ yeah, but they werent meant to lower the car, but as a load leveling aid.

and to Roger Walling: i doubt the frame was strenghtned, as it was a slow system simply meant to slam the car and rise it when needed, strenghtening is only needed if you want to hop the car or seriously "dance it", otherwise the only strenghtening needed is just around the areas that have been eventually cut for the needed modifications.
What do you mean modifications to the tires then???

 

Super cool man!

 

Quote

"What do you mean modifications to the tires then??? "


I am wonrering if they fill the tires with a foam or have special rims to hold the tires better.

 

Never heard of it.
And even on todays 72v/96v etc.. hoppers, tire failure is one of the rarest things to happen. Ball joints are the 1st things to take a hit, and the most common.
Then again, these early set ups posed no problem of the kind being so slow. catchin a dip on the freeway would probably put more stress to any part of the car than it goin up and down on a 12v aircraft pump.