General AWB question

[shopguy]

I read that Ford econoline front axles / leafs were used for AWB Fords, such as the AWB Fairlanes (not factory though)

How similar is the front leaf setup of the Ford Econolines to the A100s?

 

[805moparkid]

I read that Ford econoline front axles / leafs were used for AWB Fords, such as the AWB Fairlanes (not factory though)

How similar is the front leaf setup of the Ford Econolines to the A100s?

very! the a100 is better because the leafs are longer giving the car better ride on the street and softer touch downs after launching to the stars!

 

[Primer King]

The Ford Econoline and Dodge A-100 axles are similar in the (drag racing) sense that they are both parallel leaf/beam axle setups, but that is about where the similarities end. Chrysler actually had plans and part numbers to legalize thier A-100 beam axles under production cars for A/FX use as early as 1964, and had submittted thier plans to NHRA with part numbers and all. Dick Landy's and Bill Flynn's 1964 Dodge A/FX cars with beam axles were attempts at legalizing Chryslers' efforts for A/FX (and yes, they did stretch the rules as much as the Chrysler 2% torsionbar cars did). Yes, they were experimental factory cars. So were all the Fords that NHRA let squeeze by as S/S in 1964/1965.

FoMoCo never submitted NHRA legal plans for anything with beam axles and parallel leaf springs. NHRA gave FoMoCo a "free pass" in 1964 (spelled T_H_U_N_D_E_R_B_O_L_T) and did not scrutinize what FoMoCo was doing. The only Fords or Mercurys with beam axles were strictly after-the-fact match-racers in 1965 and later that had absolutely NO factory involvement because FoMoCo had already contracted Chrisman's fuel-burning Comet and FoMoCos Logghe built "dragsters in disguise" of early 1966. FoMoCo couldn't beat Chrysler with real cars, so they tried to do it with bathtub bodies on AA/FD chassis that were thinly disguised AA/FD attempts at A/FX glory. Chrisman's Comet was much further from NHRA Factory Experimental rules than the GAS-BURNING and STOCK WHEELBASE, STOCK CHASSIS, Dodge Chargers of 1964. Top it off, Chrysler only advertised/ran the cars as MATCH RACERS. Everybody knows that FoMoCo/Chrisman was running NITRO to try and beat the gas-powered Dodge Chargers to 130+MPH in stock-bodied cars. FoMoCo was out-classed even when there was no rules in run-whatcha-brung-stocker events in 1964. FoMoCo had to run fuelers just to be part of the program.

When Chrysler figured out thier Factory Experimental plans with PRODUCTION front torsionbar and rear leafspring 10/15 relocations in late 1964, they scrapped the 6-8inch relocation A-100 leaf spring and 2% torsionbar programs and left them in the dust with 1964 plans and the competition.

Fords were outclassed and outsourced in thier drag car attempts to try and keep up as early as 1964. Don't even ask about GM.