Alan Blalock

Good day...As I get to know my 1964 Avanti, I noticed that when I had the car on the hoist I noticed that there are blocks between the axle housing and the leaf springs. Are the original equipment or aftermarket parts. I did not notice any mention of these in my workshop manual. They appear to give the car a small rakish look, and am wondering if I should keep them as is, or attempt to remove them? Anyone have similar thoughts? Thank you, Alan Blalock