I can attest to D^2's understanding of things mechanical and had the
pleasure of a high speed trip down the interstate in Austin. His car does
handle well, and you must have a driver that knows the limits. He does.
ON a side note I believe D squared should now be D cubed. He got his
Doctorate. Congrats from me and the list.
Matt Hopkins
66 Crown
75 Lebaron
92 Imperial
-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
RandalPark@xxxxxxx
Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2004 10:02 PM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: IML: E-bay '66 with 20s!
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
>
>
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