Has anyone done a coversion, moving the park brake handle to the more inset drivers side position? Have any ideas as to what would be involved.
Steve
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It should be fairly easy, you can just cut a slot in the floor and then reinforce around it where the handle bolts, but remember the later cars with the handbrake that side had different (lower) floor pans and a different handbrake altogether. Be aware your car is now going to have the handbrake mechanism as the lowest underside part of the car to catch on bumps etc.
That said why would you do this? The handbrake doesn't work worth a sh*t anyway.
If anything I'd consider installing an electronic actuator to make a modern electric handbrake. I think Scott at SACC Restorations is coming out with a new design.
Julian
That said why would you do this? The handbrake doesn't work worth a sh*t anyway.
If anything I'd consider installing an electronic actuator to make a modern electric handbrake. I think Scott at SACC Restorations is coming out with a new design.
Julian
Steve,
I saw a photo of this mod on the forum a couple years ago searching for something. I may have bookmarked it on my home computer. I will look when I get home.
I don't remember if the thread was about that mod, but the pics of the emergency brake show that it was definitely moved and modified to fit over there.
Devin
I saw a photo of this mod on the forum a couple years ago searching for something. I may have bookmarked it on my home computer. I will look when I get home.
I don't remember if the thread was about that mod, but the pics of the emergency brake show that it was definitely moved and modified to fit over there.
Devin
Thanks Devin.
You know me pretty well at this point. I'm always thinking.
Steve
You know me pretty well at this point. I'm always thinking.
Steve
Steve,
No luck last night finding the photo. However, I am going to keep searching. I remember the photo showing an area on the inside driver's side rocker panel (interior) where they had cut out the original metal and inset a new boxed section for the handle mechanism to sit (hope that makes sense).
If memory serves me correct they also mentioned using a Pontiac Fiero parking brake mechanism (I think). Hope this helps and I will stay on the hunt.
Devin
No luck last night finding the photo. However, I am going to keep searching. I remember the photo showing an area on the inside driver's side rocker panel (interior) where they had cut out the original metal and inset a new boxed section for the handle mechanism to sit (hope that makes sense).
If memory serves me correct they also mentioned using a Pontiac Fiero parking brake mechanism (I think). Hope this helps and I will stay on the hunt.
Devin
quote:If memory serves me correct they also mentioned using a Pontiac Fiero parking brake mechanism (I think).
And also Porsche 914. The idea with both these left-rocker-panel-mounted brake handles is, when you pull up, the cable brake actuates and when you let go of the handle, it collapses back to the floor so one can easily exit the car. To take off the parking brake, you lift up until resistance is felt, then pull up a bit more while pushing in on the release button, which releases the brake. Note- both use asymmetric mechanical cables- one side is quite a bit longer than the other due to the left-side mounting position. These will NOT be easy adaptions!
The Fiero e-brake is a popular solution in the Cobra replica community. I've done one in a Cobra build and it worked well. If you think you want to go that route, you can find a lot of good info here:
http://www.ffcars.com/FAQ/ebrake.html
http://www.ffcars.com/FAQ/ebrake.html
I looked at the Fiero setup but it mounts on the wrong side. If you look at the brake handle on a GT5-S it mounts to the left side of the center consol and forward of the early car position. This would alow the passanger seat to be moved inboard. I folded down the sheet metal tabs on cage around my '74 and made a fiberglass cover to fit tighter but I would like to be able to move the seat even more inboard.
Steve
Steve
Steve,
Should have read your initial post closer. I didn't see the "inset" part. I think going this route would take less fabrication than putting the emergency brake on the interior of the rocker panel area.
When looking at pics of emergency brakes I did run across a right hand drive Pantera with it's brake on the inside of the driver's side rocker (mod I was thinking of) and a couple of right hand drive cars with brakes mounted were you are looking to move yours.
One of the right hand drive car's brakes must not have been factory because it looked like it was would be in the driver's way even in the down position.
Good fabricating and keep us posted.
Devin
Should have read your initial post closer. I didn't see the "inset" part. I think going this route would take less fabrication than putting the emergency brake on the interior of the rocker panel area.
When looking at pics of emergency brakes I did run across a right hand drive Pantera with it's brake on the inside of the driver's side rocker (mod I was thinking of) and a couple of right hand drive cars with brakes mounted were you are looking to move yours.
One of the right hand drive car's brakes must not have been factory because it looked like it was would be in the driver's way even in the down position.
Good fabricating and keep us posted.
Devin