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Old 09-24-2003, 05:00 PM
Excaliber Excaliber is offline
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Default Drum brakes and solid rear Vette,,,a winner?

Can't overlook the impact the "shoe box" cars (55,56,57 Chev's) had on the automotive world in general. In that era Ford simply didn't stand a chance in the "race" for power OR styling. Reality check, the Chevy styling was a run-a-way hit compared to the 55,56,57 Fords of the time. So what WAS Chevy thinking in 1958? LOL

Looking back of course those mid 50's Fords are really cool. But this is now and that was then!

BUTT,,,,the question remains! WOULD the Vette in question (1959 model frame, suspension, weight penalty in spite of the "light weight" body and all) been as successful as the FIA Cobras? Perhaps by 63 or 64 with the NEW 327 AND the NEW IRS suspension?

"Big Brakes" on the Vette were 11" DRUM's with FINS for cooling! THAT alone would have been a severe handicap, exasberated by the additional weight penalty. I'm guessing horse power alone was NOT the solution here!

Ernie
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