I have both styles of cars now. I first did a frame off build on a 55 Chevy that took 4 years to complete. Swore I would never sell it! I was going to build a straight axle gasser and unfortunetly let my friends talk me out of it. So I lowered it pro touring style. Put tube a-arms 4 wheel disc brakes air bags 18's in the rear and 17's in the front and it handled life a Corvette! I thought it was the bomb! Couldn't wait to take it to a car show. When I finally made it to its first car show and parked it I couldn't find it in the crowd. They all looked the same! I sold it 3 months later and started building what I really wanted a straight axle. Got all my parts from Speedway and I am glad to say my straight axle 56 Chevy is complete and I couldn't be happier! It doesn't handle as good as my lowered 55 did but Hell who cares? As long as it goes straight and stops on a dime with 9 cents change to me thats all that counts! So far a best time of 12 20,s in the 1/4 but I know she will make into the 11's. At 121 miles per hour she floats on a cloud no problem. And she turns twice as many heads and thumbs up as my lowered 55 did. At the car shows even in primer black (its permanent color) it always draws a crowd. People will walk past a $50,000 tangelo lowered magazine car and take a picture of mine! I love it! I still own a pro touring 61 biscaine its a great parts runner! LOL! I also just picked up a 2dr 55 wagon gasser, Fun Fun..Anyways build your car the way YOU want and don't let anyone talk you out of it! Straight axle cars are fun and if done right are just as safe as a cookie cutter. I heard someone say straight axle cars are cookie cutter cars too? Well all I know is that there are only a couple in my hood and mine is one of them, the other 999 are lowered belly buttons. There is another site ran by Walt who owns the original two lane blacktop car. Its called two lane black top home page. Its full of tri-five gasser lovers like us check it out 55 straight axle you will fit right in as we all think outside the box there. I am glad you decided to go straight axle you will be very happy! Oh by the way the Biscaine is for sale, gotta make room for the wagon.....
Just my 2 cents worth......