Yeah, if you really push one, a swing axle Benz will start to jack in the rear -- at well over 100 mph. The low scrub front end (better after 1962) does give minor bump steer and some understeer, but nothing like the floating rear axle and zero caster front end on a 55 Chevy, to say nothing of the lack of an anti-roll bar and a flexible frame to boot (Benz was unibody after '53). My 280 SE has very neutral handling, fading into understeer as fast as I've driven it (not that fast, it's a bit wobbly from age and deteriorated rear suspension mounts). A '55 Chevy plows horribly, until the inside rear tire lifts and it rolls over.
The Benz rear axle is the prime example of a LOW pivot swing axle design -- the pivot is below the differential. Not very exciting today, but in 1953 it was the cat's meow. Not much comparison -- those old Detroit Lead Sleds ride nicely (as in very soft), but handling is, well, scary. A swing axle (camber limited, you will note -- oversteer on a VW is due to really bad weight distribution, not the axle design) IS an independent rear suspension, compare with a floppy live axle! No spring wrap, no bunny hop, no oversteer from the rear axle moving around under the car, and believe me, you can SEE them move from behind one of those '50's cars. The 6.3 was grossly overpowered for the chassis -- no way it was a good match, but it was at the end of the chassis design life, not the beginning! Peter _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
