Suspension question

[62lesabre]

I have a 1962 lesabre and I want to lower it some to give it more of a hot rod look but I dont want to do anything permanent because its a low mileage original car. My question is what cars have the same springs as mine, I want to buy a used set to cut and save the originals so I can put them back if I choose to later, I know its not the best way to do it but its all I can afford to do now. Thanks.

[NTX5467]

Springs can be VERY unique creatures! There's not only the "wire gauge" (diameter) of the spring, but also the amount of weight it's designed to "carry". Plus the "free length" and such, which can be very variable in nature! In other words, you could have two very different-looking springs and they'd both fit the same vehicle and result in the same ride height.

The "perferred" way of doing things, back then, was to get a torch and heat a section of the spring until the car's ride height would "sag" a little, then let it cool and do the other side the same way. Discretion was the best way to do things! BUT there was no "reheat" and "restore" process, so once it was done, it was done. Only way to "go back" would be to replace the springs to "unmolested" ones.

Another way, depending upon which type of "end" was on the top or bottom of the spring, was to get a cutter and "cut the coils". This resulted in a physically shorter spring AND a stiffer spring at the same time.

On the other side of things, the existing springs have already probably sagged some, even with the lower mileage on the vehicle. So you could already be starting out 1/2" less than what they were new, possibly.

I'd recommend a set of 70 series tires to replace the taller tires like came on it from the factory. Radials will drop the car a little due to the flex in their sidewalls, too, compared to the original bias ply tires. To me, if you can find something in the needed size (possibly P225/70R-15?) would be the most non-invasive thing to do. Some brands still have these in whitewall tires, too!

Just some thoughts,
NTX5467