Day two Camaro traction bars

[nuch_ss396]

Hi all !

I have a question about period correct ( I will explain )
traction bars. Are there any differences between the
traction bars available today & those installed back in the
day?

If someone was going to restore a day two car today, would
they look for a specific traction bar make & model? What
color(s) were the traction bars back in the day? Did any
of the Supercar dealers install traction bars as part of
their performance package?

I have started a pseudo-collection of day-two items and I'd
like to get a set of traction bars that would have been
originally installed by a day-two dealership.

Steve

[firstgenaddict]

Here are a set of day two bars... Lakewood.. Yellow.. designed by Grumpy... and the same ones Hot Rod used in their 69 Z build up in April of 69...
http://www.crossroadspaper.com/075.jpg

Close up

http://www.crossroadspaper.com/072.jpg

[nuch_ss396]

James,

Are those Lakewood bars any different from the ones available today? Look at this eBay auction that just
ended. Are they the same? Lakewood Traction Bars (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=005&sspagename=STRK%3AME WA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=150074216300&rd=1,1)

Steve

[x Baldwin Motion]

[ QUOTE ]
Here are a set of day two bars... Lakewood.. Yellow.. designed by Grumpy... and the same ones Hot Rod used in their 69 Z build up in April of 69...
http://www.crossroadspaper.com/075.jpg

Close up

http://www.crossroadspaper.com/072.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

beautiful RS Z, what happened to that gas tank?

[firstgenaddict]

Same ones...
They are supposed to be really good. You can set the preload... find the April 69 (99% sure that is the month) issue of Hot Rod... they give the low down on getting the most out of the 69 Z.

[firstgenaddict]

The gas tank was crushed in more than that. I took it off to replace the sending unit and pushed it back out as much as possible. It has the original markings on the top which also match the heater box so we decided to leave it... as the car is very original... 99% interior and 90% paint. As well as all of the phosphating under the hood etc...
I cleaned the outside of the gas tank and then took some zinc rich primer and rubbed it into the few places of surface rust on the tank... over all it looks pretty good compared to what it looked like before...
Here is a link to the rest of the photos... http://www.crossroadspaper.com/1969_Z28_PhotoGallery.htm

[427TJ]

Here's what Nickey traction bars looked like for the then-new '67 Camaro (with 427 conversion). Bars were originally designed for Chevy II with V8 conversions by Bill Thomas, etc. Other shops made similar bars for early Camaros.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/BE427TJ/NickeyTractionBars1.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/BE427TJ/NickeyTractionBars2.jpg

[nuch_ss396]

Bill,
Those traction bars look tiny compared to the rectangular
type bars on the later Camaro's. How effective were they?

Steve

[ss427copo]

Here's my Day2. Has 4 degree wedges from old school rear set ups. Hey BWAG.....you probably did this to the Camaro...any input? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r59/nhra1060sc/tn_rear2.jpg
Jeff x2.....HAPPY NEW YEAR http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[nuch_ss396]

Jeff,
Were exactly is the 4 degree wedge and what was its intended
function? Did that trick actually work?

Steve

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
Those traction bars look tiny compared to the rectangular type bars on the later Camaro's. How effective were they?

[/ QUOTE ]

The Nickey bars were basically a band-aid developed for the early Chevy II/V8 conversions. When the Camaro came out with its weak Chevy II type single-leafs it just cried out for traction bars. They probably were a big help over the stock single traction arm on performance Camaros (327/275, 396, Z/28), especially modified cars such as the 427 conversions.

Anyone know what Bill Jenkins did for traction devices on his first '67 L78 Camaro that won Indy?

[kwhizz]

[ QUOTE ]
Here's what Nickey traction bars looked like for the then-new '67 Camaro (with 427 conversion). Bars were originally designed for Chevy II with V8 conversions by Bill Thomas, etc. Other shops made similar bars for early Camaros.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/BE427TJ/NickeyTractionBars1.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/BE427TJ/NickeyTractionBars2.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]


Those are the exact same bars I had on my L79 car back in 66..........Cool!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Ken http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[jtower1969]

The 4 deg wedge changes the pinion angle. They are avalilable in 2 or 4 deg. The idea is to get the rubber snubber closer to the spring....I have a set in the garage if you want to see a picture....also the good traction bars come with "J" bolts. The others are crap.

[Charley Lillard]

Can I have the Z ?

[ktownkid]

Lakewood J-Bolt bars.........


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/ktownkid/lakewood22.jpg

[ktownkid]

Also, I noticed they're "chopping-off" the rear part of the bar now. I don't ever remember seeing that done in years past. You can find the vintage bars on ebay from time to time. I would get the ones that are not chopped off......the older ones look like this from behind....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/ktownkid/PB110027.jpg

[DarrenX33]

Nice setup Jeff. What size tires/wheels you sporting there?

[budnate]

Lakewoods were built long and short desighns, the long style J bolts were more spendy and most guys bought the standard length Lakewoods, with J bolts or just used the stock leaf bolts.

I have a few diff old sets as I dig old bars, the ones I still want are the old Ground Grabber bars or thats what we called them anyway, the 3 piece flat stock bars with holes drilled in them. anyone have set let me know.. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[ss427copo]

Darren, Thanks! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

The tires are L60-15's on 8 inch Cragars. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gifwhat the backspace is BUT....it's close to the rolled-back wheel molding! lolololo

As for the 4 degree wedge in the traction bar, they literally takes all that space between the rubber snubber and where it hits away. On my Camaro you'd be lucky to get a piece of paper between the two points http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif spring wrapup here http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r59/nhra1060sc/tn_100_1124.jpg

Jeff x2 (maybe 3!)

[DarrenX33]

You really have a nice setup on that car. The rake is perfect. You ever gonna give Bruce a full write up and pics on this car for Members Rides. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gifOr are you going to continue to post random photos... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[ss427copo]

Darren, Yes, Bruce asked for a Member's Ride writeup and quite honestly, I'm flattered! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif I'll see him in a few weeks in Scottsdale and when I get back, I finish the writing and send him ALL the pics so he can do what he does sooooo great! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

[ktownkid]

Where can you buy L60-15s....besides M/T...???

Thank you kindly-
ktownkid http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Salvatore]

[ QUOTE ]
Where can you buy L60-15s....besides M/T...???

Thank you kindly-
ktownkid http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[/ QUOTE ] GTO DON! Has the NOS and barely used versions. Has many polyglas tires to choose from. They are all period correct. 267-246-6903. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[firstgenaddict]

[ QUOTE ]
Can I have the Z ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Charlie... it may end up for sale this spring....

Looking at a few other projects...

[DarrenX33]

Well I guess that car is gone. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[firstgenaddict]

Not yet Darren, but it is not too often you find an original paint black 69 RS/Z though... is it?