Hi All -
I was told by Greg at Vintage back in Feb that they were getting ready to produce a kit to relocate the tunnel ebrake to the under dash umbrella style. I have reached out a few times since, but have not heard back.
Anyone else heard anything about this?
Would love to not have to fab something up.
Thanks!
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Greg has them. I've seen them. Call him...............Bruce
Please post what you find Scott.
I love the look of the umbrella handbrake but having had both the center pull is easiest to use but of course not as period correct... and of course, that is important 
A couple of weeks ago, I was at Greg's shop and he explained that he was not going to market the umbrella handbrake as a kit because there are too many circumstances for each install and it would take him hours to explain each separate install. It appears to me that each installation will require fabrication, and each fabrication will be different. He will, however, install the umbrella handbrake for those who want one with fabrication and installation, complete. He explained how much more complicated it is to install an umbrella handbrake as compared to the handbrake mounted on the tunnel. I am convinced the umbrella handbrake is a much more involved installation, if it can be done at all in some cars.
He will sell the Spyder handbrake without installation, as the Spyder handbrake installation is a lot like the VW tunnel mounted handbrake installation.
Kirk looked at this and came to same conclusion. Conversion on a frame is far easier than on a completed car. I.E. the business model is not profitable at a price to sell as a kit. He said even offering as a service the cost would be prohibitive. That being said perhaps someone will figure it out. Cost vs Value. 5 speed gearbox’s are expensive but worth it.
Huge bummer. I get it - but still a bummer. I never expected a full bolt on conversion, but was hoping to not have to start from scratch.
Thanks All.
The parts are available and you could do it but it is a lot more complicated because of the direction change so Greg is right he would be spending hours trying to explain the how’s and then could not guarantee that the end user could do it.
I would have a look at some schematics of the install and plan it out to see if I could do it. Just saying
If one thinks just the change in cable layout, each bend must have either a pulley wheel or lever not to stress the cable at the bend. Having the body on the chassis one has to be very good at yoga to set hardware in place.
Oh yeah, it is a lot of work. Imagine an racheting umbrella, you pull it, it pulls the cable and then an arm and then a drop of so many inches then a 180 change of direction etc etc. Weld a few here or there.
Just bought this. Will dive in once the weather cools down a tad.
From what I have found, there is no pully system. The design of the cable end brackets have plenty of articulation.
It appears the length of the S-curve pertaining to how it fits under the body, and creating the round mounts (and how they then attach to the beam) seem to be the bigger variables.
Looks like there are several options for the release handle/mechanism, depending on how accurate you want to get. I am hoping that having that structural cross member right under the dash will make mounting it fairly straight forward.
I checked, your right I have no pulley on mine and I do have the part you showed.
Scott S posted:Just bought this. Will dive in once the weather cools down a tad.
From what I have found, there is no pully system. The design of the cable end brackets have plenty of articulation.
It appears the length of the S-curve pertaining to how it fits under the body, and creating the round mounts (and how they then attach to the beam) seem to be the bigger variables.
Looks like there are several options for the release handle/mechanism, depending on how accurate you want to get. I am hoping that having that structural cross member right under the dash will make mounting it fairly straight forward.
That seems like a nice set up. Where do you live? If you wanna come by, we can put the car on my lift and install stuff.
Hi Todd,
Really appreciate the offer. Thanks very much.
I am in Broomfield. However, i have a fully equipped shop just south of Denver where I work on and store "stuff".
Either way, would love to meet. I have never met anyone tied to these crazy little cars and would really enjoy it.
Scott S posted:Hi Todd,
Really appreciate the offer. Thanks very much.
I am in Broomfield. However, i have a fully equipped shop just south of Denver where I work on and store "stuff".
Either way, would love to meet. I have never met anyone tied to these crazy little cars and would really enjoy it.
My daughter just moved to Boulder and my wife is already making noise about visiting, so you never know. Or if you are ever in So Cal ...
I grew up in Orange (Villa Park) and Newport. We are out visiting fam at least once a year (but it almost always involves Disney... ha!)
