1967 barking brake handle

[Richard S.]

Re: 1967 barking brake handle

My 67 is #15629 and it's original handle was chromed. I've been looking at the 67 handles at all the shows for years and noting the VIN numbers. I think you'll find many restored 67's with the all black handle because the high dollar restorers told me they don't rechrome them if the chrome is peeling....they just paint them black.

[Dick W.]

Re: 1967 barking brake handle

I judged two possible Star/Bowtie candidate 67's this weekend and one of the (Jan build date) had an all black handle.

[Kevin M.]

Re: 1967 Bow-wow parking handle survey

Dec 66 build black handle.

Kevin

[Tim G.]

Re: 1967 Bow-wow braking handle survey

Both my late '67's are Benchmark cars and have black handles. They are #21,526 & 21,639.

[Peter K.]

Re: 1967 Bow-wow parking handle survey

Ok I admit it, I wasn't put on this earth to type or spell correctly I guess!, I was wondering when somebody was going to have some type of dog reply!!. Thanks for all your input, I will use an all black handle.

[Peter L.]

Re: 1967 barking brake handle

Peter - What parking brake handle is in the car now? Do you think it's the original one? Is so stick with it. This is another one of those do-loop threads and I'm convinced no one knows exactly what the story is. It's all somewhat anecdotal and after the fact. Check the archives, Noland's book, Dobbin's book, and the Judging Manual and you have at least 4 different timelines as to when the chrome and black handles came in and out of production for the '67 model year. My read is they all the others can't be incorrect versus the Judging Manual, but the Judging Manual is the standard; so if you need the points, you know what to do. As far as I know, St Louis did not make '67 Corvettes according to the NCRS Judging Manual or the AIM either!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BTW, '67 S/N 1476 has a chrome parking brake handle. It looks like xxx!!!, but it's original to the best of my knowledge. Pete

[Gerard F.]

Re: 1967 Bow-wow parking handle survey

Sorry, Peter, I was only kidding, we all knew what you meant. But I think your post brought out some valuable information especially to those of us who have June and July 67's. Maybe the judges will no longer ding the late 67's for having an early parking brake handle, or they'll change the judging manual on the next printing because of your post, or accept either.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Richard S.]

Re: 1967 Bow-wow parking handle survey

Jerry, I know of at least one senior 67 interior judge who is well aware that both chromed and all black handles could appear at any time during the 67 assembly period. The 67 JG may one day be revised to reflect this. However, without someone to restore the chrome tip on the handle, I'm afraid all future "restorations" will end up with all black handles. If anyone knows how or where these handles can be rechromed....it's time to speak up.

[Gerard F.]

Experiment Time

If I had an old chrome parking brake handle, I'd do another experiment. Is it real chrome on metal or chrome finish on plastic.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Richard S.]

Re: Experiment Time

It's chrome on plastic I believe......

[Jack H.]

Yep, chrome on plastic....

The construction becomes obvious when the chrome bubbles, chips, and flakes away as most ultimately do over time!

[Richard S.]

Re: Yep, chrome on plastic....

Well....with all the experience we have out there in NCRS land....is there anyone anywhere who knows how these chrome emergency brake handles can be restored??

[Gerard F.]

Should be pretty easy

With the new chrome paints out there. Eastwood puts out an Almost Chrome although I'm not sure how it takes on plastic. If someone wants to send me one, I'd try just for the fun of it, but no guarantees.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Terry M.]

the process

I believe model car kits use aluminum, vapor deposited in a vacuum chamber to make the chrome parts. At least that was the method 30-40 years ago. Somewhere I read that original door arm rests for 1960s GM cars (Chevelle, full size, and the like) could be commercially re-chromed using this method. That was the original method used to "chrome" those parts.
I think someone does this process commercially, but I don't know who or where. Seems back when I used to subscribe to Hemmings I saw ads for this process, but that was a long time ago. I also don't know the name of the process -- other than vapor deposit. It is not really a chrome process, at least not in the sense of chrome plating metal parts.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Yep, chrome on plastic....

Rick:
I am working out the final details of just such a restoration. It should be ready by the time the Nov/Dec driveline comes out. I have 5 in my shop that are "experimental". I'll let you know the results.
Jeff