The curious phenomenon of diminishing tracking

[mybrainhurts]

As cars get old, their wheels appear to recede into their wheel arches, rather like old farts shrinking in various parts of their bodies.

Why is this?

[HustleRussell]

Sagging/collapsing suspension (springs, torsion beams etc) causes the ride height to reduce, and this in turn affects the tracking by adding negative camber, pulling the wheels in at the top. The result is that distinctive 'stanced' look.

[HustleRussell]

Of and the track width won't actually reduce by any appreciable amount, rather the camber change creates the illusion.

[mybrainhurts]

Good point, yes...