(June 6, 2014) Chevrolet offered an intriguing lesson on automobile suspension back in 1936. The company's eight-minute movie is surprisingly informative considering it was made more than 75 years ago. It's also entertaining.
The rear-wheel-drive 1936 Chevrolet coupe featured a rigid axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs for the front suspension, and a live axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs in the rear. An option for the suspension system was General Motors’ so-called "Knee-Action" independent front suspension that had a Dubonnet leading-arm configuration.
It first became available in 1934 on Pontiacs and Chevys. GM claimed that the optional system provided a “gentle, gliding ride” over rough roads.
Chevrolet's other big news for 1936 was its adoption of hydraulic brakes. And the Standard trim line models had a new box-girder frame, which was both stronger and lighter than the X-type frame.