Old Merc for play

Thanks, Lois.  No, originally they sat much higher.  Hot rodders and customizers like to "lay them in the weeds" so to speak, through extreme modifications to the frame and/or suspension.  They often use air bags for suspension components to get this low, along with notching the frame above the back axle.  Various techniques, including cutting coils out of the front springs and using dropped spindles will get the front end lower.  And, of course, air bags are sometimes used for the front end also.

Regards....Allen