Ken,
The parking brake handle arrangement in the Amphicars is similar to what a
number of cars used in the 40s and 50s. I find that one like the air
cooled VW beetles used and which my 2002 Saturn has is much easier to pull up
tight. With my Saturn, it is difficult to move without releasing it, but the
degree of "tightness" that I can generally achieve with the system in the
Amphicar does not prevent me from driving away with it still engaged.
Anyway, I'll keep you posted, as I think the idea I described is worthwhile.
Just today I found an unusual switch at a flea market, so I can't say
what it's source is or where to find another. However, it may work out well.
As a humorous aside, This sizeable Flea Market is in Pennsylvania in Amish
country and has the distinction of only being open on Tuesdays, but they
say it has been open every Tuesday since 1924 ! That is not the humorous
aspect. This fellow had a box like a shoe box with half a dozen switches in it
for $1.00 each. I studied the various switches and selected two, including
the one I previously mentioned. I took out $2.00 and offered it to him
with the 2 switches in my hand. To my surprise, he asked if I would like the
"whole box for ONE DOLLAR ?" Will wonders never cease ? Of course I said
"fine." I like to accumulate all kinds of small switches which often fill
a need when I am working on some project.
This does not mean that this project automatically jumps to the top of my
overall "To
Do list," but having left the Parking Brake on twice now, it will
definitely get done.
Vic Nelson near Daytona with the "Split
Personality"
In a message dated 10/5/2010 7:19:36 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
writes:
Vic,
Regarding your Amphicar parking brake, I was taught many years ago to
apply a parking brake very firmly - or not at all. A gently applied brake can
easily be overlooked, until you smell overheated brakes or see smoke
emanating from the wheel wells. A firmly applied brake would be very difficult to
ignore when starting to drive. If you do rig up a light, however, let us
know how it turns out.
Best,
Ken Chambers, CA
'64 Red
On Oct 4, 2010, at 7:53 PM, SplitPersonality wrote:
Quote:
> For reasons that I don't really understand, other than replacing the
wheel
> cylinders a year or so ago, I have had no problem with my brake linings
> which were probably ordered from Hugh Gordon by the fellow who restored
the
> car before I owned it. The principal brake problem I have been having is
> forgetting to release the parking brake. Therefore, I am in the process
of
> contriving a switch which will make contact in the "ON" position when
the
> ignition is turned on and will show a bright pilot light on the dash to
alert
> me to release the brake at which time the light would go out. Has anyone
> done this or have a good idea of the source for a mechanical brake
switch or
> other switch which could be hooked up to the park brake assembly to
activate
> when the brake is pulled on and then illuminate a dash light ? I picked
up
> a 1930-31 Model A switch, but have to do some refiguring to use it, as
> when it is pulled, the contacts go "OFF" and in its static position, it
is
> "ON."
> Vic Nelson
> near Daytona with the 1967 Split Personality