Air Ride Good or Bad

[55Dreamer]

Hello, I'm a new member and a first time car restorer. I have a 1955 two door sedan (Del Ray) that is in the process of a frame off restoration. I am considering putting air ride suspension on the front and rear (four link). I have some concerns about the ride/drive quality with the changing geometry. Does anyone out there have any opinions on this topic?

[chevman57]

Can`t help you on the air ride, but welcome to the site. Terry.

[56nomad]

They seem to be very popular. Just about every non-restoration car you see in magazines are running some kind of air suspension. I don't think they would be used so much if they didn't work well, especially considering the cost. Just my 2-cents.

[TooBadBrad]

My son put the full air ride set up on his 67 Elky, and he likes it because he can out it on the ground at shows. I however, can't stand the mushy ride and poor handling. He has a sway bar on the front but not on the back.
I'm sticking with springs on the 56 I'm currently building.

[NomadJack]

This is a topic I have been wondering about as well. My observation is that the airbags are used as a means to set and adjust ride height easily. As opposed to a selecting correct spring/shock set-up in the first place. It is the only way to go if you want to set the car on the ground when parked. But my question is also, how is the ride? When I see the cars driving around with them, it doesn’t look like it is very good. The couple of owners I have spoken with wanted the “look” and sounded like they didn’t want to divulge the true ride characteristics.
Jack