Push Brake parking brake on a shortened buggy

[torchwerks]

Does anyone have a working push brake parking brake on their shortened buggy?

Turns out my buggy chassis is from Nov '53, so it has the push brake parking brake. Got to return some things to So Cal Imports, since it's not gonna work.

I found a great post on how the push brake system works, but shortening expensive split/oval brake cables is making me cringe.

Just seeing if anyone else has ever dealt with it.

[EVfun]

At some point in back there must be something to direct the cables out into the frame forks. Can you get from there forward enough to convert to the later handle and cables?

Your original system ran the e-brake cable flex tubes over the swingaxles and around to enter the backing plate going forward. The rear wheel cylinder was at the bottom. Oval window Bugs still had the up-side-down rear brakes. I know people swap them to some year later cables and run the rear brakes so they look like the later setup.

If your car was originally cable brake standard perhaps you could set it up with front wheel e-brakes. You would have to modify some later backing plates and mix some parts. Likely a lot of swapping and fabrication but an e-brake that also functions as a line lock would be cool.

I'll admit I'm kinda jealous. My equipment requirements have to do with my legal (chassis) year. I wouldn't be required to have turn signals with a '53 or '54 title, or a few other things. My '64 title leaves out the requirement for 4-way flashers, reverse lights, and seat belts. Plus, a Washington 1953 plate would be way cooler than a "WASH 63" plate.

BTW - somewhere out there is a Manx buggy running around on a 1948 Bug pan.
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