34 Expert Restoration Tips for Classic Car Enthusiasts
December 4, 2024
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
TOYOTA STEERING SOLUTIONS
While early Toyota trucks are a great foundation, they do require a few modifications to make them capable of serious off-road use. Sure, you’ll need the basics, such as larger tires, lower gears and some kind of traction-aiding device in the differentials, but first there is a more important issue at hand. The steering on these early Toyota trucks was not designed with hardcore off-road use in mind.
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW
There’s a lot to like about vintage engines. Just the sheer fact that it isn’t a small-block Chevy is enough to inspire many hot rodders. Now, don’t get us wrong; the small-block Chevrolet is nothing less than awesome, but it is also the default engine of most hot rodders. Often, there is no thought involved as many rodders simply want the 350/350 treatment. That’s probably fine for most hot rodders, but there has been a real resurgence in putting vintage motors in vintage hot rods, and we love the concept. The Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Buick Nailhead and Hemi are all great candidates for powering a vintage hot rod. Parts are still available for most of these engines, some being tougher to find than others. A surprising amount of speed equipment survives for these engines, too, and companies like Offenhauser still produce a lot of vintage speed equipment.
THE CHEVELLE’S FINEST HOUR
Many believe that the ’70 Chevelle is the best-looking muscle car ever built. The new bulges on the sides give the car a meaner appearance, and this was the first time that a mid-size car could be ordered with a cowl-induction hood and stripes on the hood and trunk.
Spotlighter
Product Spotlight: Posies SuperSlide Springs
A Better Ride Without Giving Up the Classic Look
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photos courtesy of Posies
Let’s face it—old leaf springs don’t always deliver the smoothest ride. Between years of wear and the natural friction created as steel leaves slide against one another, it’s no surprise that many traditional hot rods and classic trucks can feel a little rough around the edges.
That’s exactly the problem Posies SuperSlide Springs were designed to solve.
Instead of simply building another replacement leaf spring, Posies re-engineered the traditional multi-leaf design to provide a smoother ride, better handling, and improved suspension response—all while keeping the vintage appearance that belongs under a classic hot rod or truck.
The Secret Is in the Slide
What sets SuperSlide Springs apart is Posies’ patented design that places durable moly-nylon buttons between each leaf in the spring pack. Rather than allowing steel leaves to grind against one another, these low-friction pads let the springs move much more freely as the suspension cycles.
The difference is something you can actually feel behind the wheel.
The ride is smoother over bumps, suspension movement is more responsive, and those familiar squeaks and groans that come with old leaf springs are greatly reduced. The springs also resist binding, giving the suspension a more consistent feel whether you’re cruising the highway or carving through a winding back road.
Built for Real Hot Rods
Posies doesn’t cut corners when it comes to construction. Every SuperSlide Spring is built in the USA using premium tempered spring steel, heat-treated components, and carefully assembled leaf packs designed for years of dependable performance.
These aren’t parts built just to look good sitting at a car show. Posies says its SuperSlide Springs have been proven on vehicles with well over 100,000 road miles, making them just as comfortable on long-distance road trips as they are parked on the show field.
Built for Your Stance
Whether you’re after a subtle drop or an aggressive hot rod rake, there’s a SuperSlide Spring designed for the job.
The popular Reverse Eye version lowers the vehicle while maintaining excellent suspension travel, while the Low Reverse Eye option drops it about another inch for an even more aggressive stance. Builders wanting to stay close to factory ride height can choose Stock Eye springs, and heavier vehicles equipped with big-blocks, Hemis, or superchargers are covered with Heavy Rate versions engineered to handle the extra weight.
Applications for Some of the Most Popular Classics
SuperSlide Springs are available for a wide range of traditional hot rods and trucks, including:
- 1928–34 Ford hot rods
- 1935–48 Ford cars
- Early Ford pickups
- 1953–56 Ford F-100 pickups
- Chevrolet applications
- Mopar applications
- Rear leaf spring conversions
One popular example is the rear spring kit for 1955–56 Ford F-100 pickups, which lowers the truck about three inches while using the factory frame mounting locations and comes with bushings already installed.
Why They’ve Earned Their Reputation
Ask around at just about any hot rod event, and there’s a good chance you’ll find someone running Posies SuperSlide Springs. They’ve built a loyal following because they solve one of the biggest complaints about traditional leaf-spring suspensions without changing what makes these cars special.
You still get the timeless look of a multi-leaf spring setup, but with noticeably better ride quality, more predictable handling, and a suspension that feels far more refined than you’d expect from a design that’s been around for generations.
If you’re building a Deuce roadster, a Model A, a classic street rod, or a lowered F-100, SuperSlide Springs are one of those upgrades you’ll appreciate every time you hit the road. Sometimes the best modifications aren’t the ones everyone notices—they’re the ones you feel every mile behind the wheel.
Ready to Upgrade Your Ride?
Want the classic look with a modern feel behind the wheel? Visit Posies Rods & Customs to explore SuperSlide Springs built for your hot rod, street rod, or classic truck.
