Can any tire shop do a front end alignment on a '56 Buick?

[NTX5467]

That trend has been progressing since the later 1970s, by my observations.

In those earlier times, any GOOD alignment tech knew how to work "within the specs" to get the vehicle to drive "right" for the roads the customer usually drove on. If they lived in the country (where roads had more "crown", then cross-vehicle caster could help with that. If the roads were generally flat, then you set caster more the same on each side. You might vary the camber on the driver's side to compensate for there generally being one person in the car at a time, or put somebody in the driver's seat (approx. same weight as the main driver) and do the alignment that way. Many little twists and tweaks that might not really be necessary in more modern times. PLUS being able to tell if there might be "something" that alignment might compensate for and still have the car drive well.

There's a shop in Fort Worth, where the father started the business and the son grew up in it. Their equipment might not be "cutting edge, electronic", but they know how to use it. The toe-in check is an old Bear "drive across" machine (at the door to the alignment pit), for example. It that doesn't work, then it's "tape measure time". As they've been there since in the '50s, there is a HUGE and LOYAL following of people that trust the shop's work and know that when it comes out, it'll be better than most anybody else might be capable of doing. And they stay busy . . .

Enjoy!

NTX5467

[cahartley]

I'm pretty sure the "old school" shops ARE staying busy so, of those that remain, I think they'll stay around for a long long time.

They already know they are the only games around.........they'd be idiots to give that up........

[ghaskett]

If the shop doesn't know about removing the grease fitting from the upper pivot pin bushing so that you can get in there with a allen wrench to work on the caster and camber... then find a different shop. I usually ask street rodders with high end toys who's the best. They are good sources.