SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1965 GT350/R-Model => Topic started by: csheff on October 25, 2019, 10:05:14 PM

Title: Fiberglass covers for tractionbars
Post by: csheff on October 25, 2019, 10:05:14 PM
Hi everyone, I've never heard anyone talk about the fiberglass covers that came on the 65 traction bars. What do u know about them or anyone have any pics? What would they be worth roughly?
Title: Re: Fiberglass covers for tractionbars
Post by: s2ms on October 25, 2019, 10:29:45 PM
There was a recent discussion about these:

http://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=6947.msg58882 (http://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=6947.msg58882)
Title: Re: Fiberglass covers for tractionbars
Post by: csheff on October 25, 2019, 10:52:42 PM
Thanks Dave, I missed that one
Title: Re: Fiberglass covers for tractionbars
Post by: SFM5S000 on October 26, 2019, 05:49:47 PM
Quote from: csheff on October 25, 2019, 10:05:14 PM
Hi everyone, I've never heard anyone talk about the fiberglass covers that came on the 65 traction bars. What do u know about them or anyone have any pics? What would they be worth roughly?

Hello csheff,

I happen to have a set of originals (see photos 1st & 2nd). I also happen to have a set of Branda reproductions (the set on the left 3rd  pic, and the singles side by side the original 4th for comparisons). The repros are not even close. (too skinny and fit horribly. I worked on the repros some, added some material and re-ground them to fit).

Cheers,
~Earl J
Title: Re: Fiberglass covers for tractionbars
Post by: Jbarela on October 26, 2019, 06:50:22 PM
Earl...you have everything!! Dont you want to part with them  to me....wink wink..
Title: Re: Fiberglass covers for tractionbars
Post by: Shelby_r_b on October 26, 2019, 07:06:47 PM
Quote from: SFM5S000 on October 26, 2019, 05:49:47 PM
Quote from: csheff on October 25, 2019, 10:05:14 PM
Hi everyone, I've never heard anyone talk about the fiberglass covers that came on the 65 traction bars. What do u know about them or anyone have any pics? What would they be worth roughly?

Hello csheff,

I happen to have a set of originals (see photos 1st & 2nd). I also happen to have a set of Branda reproductions (the set on the left 3rd  pic, and the singles side by side the original 4th for comparisons). The repros are not even close. (too skinny and fit horribly. I worked on the repros some, added some material and re-ground them to fit).

Cheers,
~Earl J

Great pictures - thanks!
Title: Re: Fiberglass covers for tractionbars
Post by: mlplunkett on October 29, 2019, 01:56:54 PM
Now, if we only had some good clear photos of the covers installed and photos of the same area with the covers removed we would have everything we needed to fab up a good replication of the original set-up. Anybody with this setup have a camera?
Title: Re: Fiberglass covers for tractionbars
Post by: csheff on October 29, 2019, 02:51:31 PM
Thanks for the info Earl
Title: Re: Fiberglass covers for tractionbars
Post by: SFM5S000 on October 29, 2019, 08:44:46 PM
Quote from: mlplunkett on October 29, 2019, 01:56:54 PM
Now, if we only had some good clear photos of the covers installed and photos of the same area with the covers removed we would have everything we needed to fab up a good replication of the original set-up. Anybody with this setup have a camera?

Okay Mickey,

I can help you with that. At one point when I was rebuilding/restoring the car, I bought a set of the Branda reproduction pieces. Was I ever disappointed on the fit is an understatement. I only had the rubber flat pieces with a slit at that time until I found a set of original Override covers.
At the end of the day, I decided to forgo the covers and finished the car without either. I was experimenting with special override bars with one end having Heim joints at the time. (I have my reasons). The attached photos are from when I was massaging the repros in trying to make them work. Adding fiberglass and re-grinding them (see photo) The sliver gaps between the covers and the floor after they are riveted down are filled with 3M  Seam sealer (#08505 Beige) is the closest I could find to what was originally used.
If you want I can take dimensions of the originals and send them to you.

Cheers,
~Earl J
Title: Re: Fiberglass covers for tractionbars
Post by: mlplunkett on October 29, 2019, 10:31:57 PM
You're the man Earl. By all means send photos and dimensions of the originals. It doesn't look like it would be too difficult to fabricate these. If I get it worked out maybe I could make some extras. I guess the left and right units are just mirror images of each other so once I get the correct profile for the sides of the box the rest should be pretty straightforward.