I am not very sure about the rest of what was posted, but the part about those
wheels not having a detrimental effect on the handling doesn't seem believable.
The suspension package built into the '57 onward Imperial was a fine tuned
instrument. It was so effective in its day (and as far as I am concerned even
in this day) that it was acclaimed as one of the best handling cars in the
world. If that car would have handled "better" with huge wheels and tiny tires,
it would have been made that way from the factory.
I respect D^2's understanding of things mechanical. If he thinks that the car
needs to lean into corners to handle properly, and those wheels change that, I
will tend to believe him. I understand that he drives cars "FAST" as a hobby.
Given that, I think he would know about handling. If he didn't, he wouldn't be
here to tell us about it.
All of this aside, the only way having those wheels on that car is a good thing
is if the other modifications that need to be made to compensate for them were
made as well. Looking at the ad, I doubt it. There would be a long description
of what was done if anything had been.
It appears that the front suspension was also adjusted lower than it should be,
or worn out. Since there are so few shops around that can work on those
suspensions, I suspect the later. That alone would make the car handle funny,
and potentially dangerous. When the car is traveling down the road, it would
have a tendency to "bottom out" on the suspension. If going fast enough, that
force could cause the driver to lose control and have a crash. Even if the
motor isn't in top condition, a '66 Imperial will definitely go THAT fast.
Most people don't understand the geometry of how cars are suppose to bounce and
give with the road to be safe. That is why bad shocks and broken springs are a
safety hazard. In some states it once was (and may still be) illegal to alter
the car in this way. The reason is safety.
Combine a possibly worn out suspension and those wheels, I think that you have
a recipe for disaster. Mind you that is only my opinion.
Paul
In a message dated 7/17/2004 9:00:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time, "Rob P"
<fristpenny@xxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
>I wasn't really looking for a poll when I made the original post. I just
>saw an interesting Imperial and figured that somebody else might like to see
>it. I like it. I knew most of you wouldn't. Wheel choice is a very
>subjective thing. I see many people suggesting wire wheels, some people
>thing they are gorgeous, but guess what, others will hate them.
>
>I have to disagree with D2's analysis (big surprise ;) that handling may
>suffer because the car can't lean in the corners. The lean these cars had
>in the corners WAS a handling problem. I personally feel that extra
>traction and less lean are GOOD things for my car. Agreed that 20s are
>extreme, but we don't even know the diameter. It is possible to put 17"s on
>some cars and end up with the same rolling diameter. Otherwise, it's easy
>enough to change speedo gears and cruising will be enhanced by extra
>diameter. If it's hurting your acceleration a steeper rear gear is an easy
>mod.
>
>Ride comfort will certainly suffer because you're losing all the tire flex.
>To the extent that was designed into the suspension you may have a problem,
>but come on, the car is 37 years old. There have been some advances, it
>doesn't make sense not to take advantage because "the car was designed as a
>system."
>
>As for the possibility the rims were stolen, I don't see how that's
>relevant. That NOS grille that you bought from Chuck or whoever in Tulsa may
>be stolen too. There is no reason to think these rims are stolen.
>Particularly since they are on an Imperial which we have established doesn't
>share wheels with many other vehicles. It's unlikely there were any other
>'66 Imperials with 20s to steal them from.
>
>There is a pretty big Ford truck aftermarket. From the old 50s jobs to
>today. If the rims are interchangeable you can bet somebody is making them.
>May cost a little more, but they're out there.
>
>I know this would eventually denigrate into a points/electronic ignition,
>radial/bias ply debate, so I won't continue arguing with everybody. I still
>like them and I don't expect you to. The only way to tell how they are on
>the car is to drive it.
>
>Rob
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Don’t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!
>http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/
>
>
>
>----------------- http://www.imperialclub.com -----------------
>This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please
>reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be
>shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
>Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm
>
>
Back to the Home of the Forward Look Network