That looks a whole lot more like an independent suspension than a conventional solid axle. Really interesting set up. It looks like it should have coils though, rather than the transverse leaf.
edit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvette_leaf_springs
I decided to Wikiwander. It still looks more like IRS than solid axle, but now I better understand the mechanics of the transverse leaf.
Random stuff that made me giggle lately....
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dr_bar
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Excuse the cut and paste...
Suspension and wheels
Model T suspension employed a transversely mounted semi-elliptical spring for each of the front and rear axles, which were "live", i.e., not an independent suspension.
The front axle was drop forged as a single piece of vanadium steel. Ford twisted many axles eight times and sent them to dealers to be put on display to demonstrate its superiority. The Model T did not have a modern service brake. The right foot pedal applied a band around a drum in the transmission, thus stopping the rear wheels from turning. The previously mentioned parking brake lever operated band brakes on the outside of the rear brake drums.
Wheels were wooden artillery wheels, with steel welded-spoke (not truly wire) wheels available in 1926 and 1927.
Tires were pneumatic 30 in (76 cm) in diameter, 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide in the rear, 2 in (5 cm) in the front. The old nomenclature for tire size changed from 30×3 to 21" (rim diameter) × 4.50 (tire width).[clarify]
Wheelbase was 99 inches; while standard tread width was 56 in (142 cm), 60 in (152 cm) tread could be obtained on special order, "for Southern roads".
Suspension and wheels
Model T suspension employed a transversely mounted semi-elliptical spring for each of the front and rear axles, which were "live", i.e., not an independent suspension.
The front axle was drop forged as a single piece of vanadium steel. Ford twisted many axles eight times and sent them to dealers to be put on display to demonstrate its superiority. The Model T did not have a modern service brake. The right foot pedal applied a band around a drum in the transmission, thus stopping the rear wheels from turning. The previously mentioned parking brake lever operated band brakes on the outside of the rear brake drums.
Wheels were wooden artillery wheels, with steel welded-spoke (not truly wire) wheels available in 1926 and 1927.
Tires were pneumatic 30 in (76 cm) in diameter, 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide in the rear, 2 in (5 cm) in the front. The old nomenclature for tire size changed from 30×3 to 21" (rim diameter) × 4.50 (tire width).[clarify]
Wheelbase was 99 inches; while standard tread width was 56 in (142 cm), 60 in (152 cm) tread could be obtained on special order, "for Southern roads".
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"Four wheels move the body.
Two wheels move the soul!"
"Four wheels move the body.
Two wheels move the soul!"
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Mr. Invisible
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High_Side
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Glad to hear things are looking up a little. I think a road trip down to southern Alberta would be just the ticket to break in that new Vette. I'm just thinking of ways to help out your dad of course...... 
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