(Photos from the BangShift archive) – With today’s modern suspension technology, we’re seeing performances out of cars with tiny tires that really boggle the mind. From shocks made by companies like AFCO to trick control arms, bushings, and other pieces modern drag race cars can really be optimized to get down even marginal tracks at lightning speeds. Such was not always the case. Back in the old days before anyone really understood exactly what was happening when the throttle went wide open on the starting line, there were a myriad of ideas on how to get cars to better hook up and get off the line.
Among those ideas was a nose high stance facilitated by swapping a solid front axle from a truck or van under the car and adding arched leaf springs. The idea was that the car’s nose was elevated and when the hammer came down on the starting line, the car was already set to transfer weight to the rear and plant the rock hard slicks on the car. It was super rudimentary and basic but the reality is that it worked better than doing nothing so the idea took hold. Over the years we have advanced way past this point BUT, the look remains timeless and this quick collection of photos proves that. Every car in this small gallery is cool as heck, mainly because of that old school front suspension. We know you’ll dig them.
HIT THE LINK BELOW TO SEE SOME OLD SCHOOL LOOKING STRAIGHT AXLE DRAG CARS!
GALLERY:
That 55 is insanely perfect…..
That would be the 55 of Dennis Taylor.His 16 year old daughter Alex raced her Orange Camaro at DragWeek 13.Great girl and great family.