Sometimes it's hard to believe that '50s and '60s cars remain as popular as they are in 2005. It's even more amazing to imagine how many are still being found in barns, fields, and the occasional car lot just waiting for enthusiasts to bring them back to life.
Like so many other car crazy guys, Lance Overholser of Galveston, Indiana, got into his latest set of wheels largely by chance. His friend had a '64 Ford two-door sedan for sale, a car that his mother bought new. Lance saw potential in the unmolested original car, and didn't hesitate long before pulling cash from his pocket.
As with any older car, the Ford needed some attention. The brakes worked on the "pump and pray" method, the car listed to one side like a wounded battleship, and Lance dared not take either hand off the wheel on a bumpy road. Lance obviously wanted to get the car to handle and stop correctly before diving into other projects. Not knowing where to start and what he was getting into, he decided to disassemble everything from the frame down and see what he had to work with. Once apart he found worn-out bushings, shocks, brakes, and springs. The quest for new parts was on.
Lance first contacted Ray Gorman at Stainless Steel Brakes to see what was available in the stopping department. No problem--Ray had everything needed to convert the car to four-wheel discs. The next call went to Eaton Detroit Spring, where Lance learned that new springs could be made to factory specs or custom built to lower the big Ford while still maintaining proper ride quality. Eaton also supplied new bushings and hardware to help complete the installation. Stock replacement shocks were not hard to find, but Lance wanted something better to help improve ride and handling. A call to Pat LaValle at QA1 got him just what he needed--adjustable shocks that can be tuned for optimum performance.
Once Lance had the parts in hand, the job of installing them took just a few days to complete. Needless to say, the car's ride and handling improved considerably, and the newfound braking performance far exceeded anything that ever came out of the '60s. While rebuilding the undercarriage, Lance figured he might as well upgrade the tires and wheels. New 17-inch Cragar SS wheels and BFGoodrich radials enhanced the drive quality even more, while they also gave the car a whole new look. Now Lance can't wait to get some body and paint work done--provided he can pry himself away from the wheel long enough to make that happen!
 Fresh color is in this Ford's...  Fresh color is in this Ford's future, but owner Lance Overholser first wanted to get it on firm footing with new springs, better shocks, and disc brakes. New wheels and tires give people a hint of what's to come. |
 It's always easier working...  It's always easier working on a clean car, so Lance started by pressure-washing the engine compartment and underside. |
 We won't get in to all the...  We won't get in to all the grimy disassembly details, but needless to say, the original drum brakes and spindles were removed before the coil springs and A-arms could come off. Remember to use a coil spring compressor and/or a floorjack under the lower arm; you don't want the spring flying out and smacking you! |
 Out back, the axles were pulled...  Out back, the axles were pulled in order to remove the drum brake backing plates... |
 ...With both the frame and...  ...With both the frame and rearend supported by jack stands, the leaf springs could be removed, too. |
 Forty years of service can...  Forty years of service can make a car weary. The bottom leaf broke when the spring pack hit the floor. |
 Eaton Detroit Spring has specs...  Eaton Detroit Spring has specs on just about any leaf or coil that ever came on an American car, so making replacements is simple. Eaton will even custom-build springs that lower your car while still maintaining proper spring rate and ride quality. |
 Eaton also supplied new mounting...  Eaton also supplied new mounting hardware for the springs, including bushings, shackles, and these spring mount pads (which should help minimize road noise). |
 It was pretty simple to find...  It was pretty simple to find QA1 shocks with the proper length and mounting configuration to fit the Ford. They were mounted with the special hardware included. Note the adjustment knob on the shock bottom, which allows you to tune rebound valving. Lance mounted it facing forward for easy access. |
 The SSBC caliper brackets...  The SSBC caliper brackets were simply bolted on to the rearend housing after reinstalling the axles... |
 ...Next came the dust shields,...  ...Next came the dust shields, caliper spacers, rotors, and calipers. Lance noted that it was easier to trial-fit and align the calipers, spacers, and bolts before the rotors were installed. |
 It's always wise to replace...  It's always wise to replace the flexible rubber brake hoses when you're upgrading brakes. There's a lot more pressure going to those discs than to the original drums. Lance also routed new emergency brake cables to the calipers. |
 Moving up front, Lance equipped...  Moving up front, Lance equipped the freshly painted control arms with new bushings and ball joints before reassembling the suspension using new Eaton springs and QA1 shocks. Again, it's imperative to exercise caution and use the proper equipment when installing new coil springs. |