Looking at the cut end at the bottom of the springs and the rust on the lower half, I'd guess there was a acetylene torch involved.

My 240 original receipt from '72 called it "clasping springs". I assumes that means collapsing to lower the car? 

Lots of clues here.

Having (used to) lived on a dirt road for 20 years, I've seen ruts and potholes that would swallow my wife's MX-5.  Literally, she would have to detour around certain roads after hard rains - this in Loudoun County, VA of all places.

Maybe our mom with the 510 had no options for detour, was late getting the kids to school, and had to hurry to meet her lover. "Springs? We don't need no stinkin' springs."

It may have looked cool. Lowered and a stiff ride, she was ahead of her time.