Question on Dana Camaros

[whitetop]

Mystery Chevelle
Those traction bars in the photo are Lakewoods and that style did not come out until 1974-1975ish. Somebody added them later obviously. Before 1970 Lakewood never really had a true traction bar for the A-bodies. The first traction device for A-bodies from Lakewood came out in '70 with the triangular shaped ladder bars we are all familiar with. The only item for the A-bodies before 1970 was a beefed up trailing arm.

I am under the impression from your other post the bars on the Chevelle in question were documented by you to be original for '66 and supplied by Dana. I figured that's why you posted the pic of them. You can correct me if I'm wrong of my impression.
Dave

[MosportGreen66]

There was a 1967 Chevelle SS427 in Popular Hot Rodding issues back. It was a black on white convertable. It did not say anything about the specific dealer but he claimed to have documents proving the 427. It was alte production L-72 with 425HP.

VettefinderJim,
I sent you a PM.

-Dan

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

Okay, consider yourself Corrected [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Yep, that's why I posted the photo, but the documented by part, is from DANA, not me. No harm no foul [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[JoeC]

Dave, Didn't Traction Master make traction bars for early Chevelles and many other cars mid to late sixties? I have a set of NOS Traction Master bars that are the early weld on type for Chevelle. Dana, Shelby, Motion, and Yenko listed Traction Masters in their ads in 67. Better designs became available made by Lakewood, ET, NMW, and others in the late 60s.

[Belair62]

I have a set of those too Joe....mount to lower control arm to a weld on tab...

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

The Dana 66 SS 427 Chevelle will be at the GUARANTY CHEVROLET All Chevy Show tomorrow, Saturday., in Santa Ana, Calif. Anybody wishing to see it, inspect it and disect it...come on down and snoop around...should be many fine cars there.

The traction bars seen on this car are Custom/Dana Built FWIW.

Last photo...it's a keeper [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[whitetop]

JoeC

[ QUOTE ]
Before 1970 Lakewood never really had a true traction bar for the A-bodies. The first traction device for A-bodies from Lakewood came out in '70 with the triangular shaped ladder bars we are all familiar with. The only item for the A-bodies before 1970 FROM LAKEWOOD was a beefed up trailing arm.


[/ QUOTE ]

I was only refering to the traction bars products made by Lakewood. I corrected my previous reply above. I know traction bars were made by other companies for a-bodies before 1970. I was trying to make the point that the bars in the photo are Lakewoods and they were not made until 1974.

[whitetop]

Mystery Chevelle

See attachment. Those traction bars are not custom built/Dana. They are part number 20187 from Lakewood and were first manufactured in 1974. I have the 1973 lakewood catalog and they are not in there and the 1974 catalog list them under their "new products for 1974" I also have a used set in my basement and they are 100% identical to the ones on the car in the photo. Every little dip/recess is the same.

The only way Dana could have put them on the car in 1966 was with a time machine set for 1974. Have you considered the Chevelle in question may have had traction bar from another manufacturer originally and then later replaced with these models by another owner later?

If you look at your pic you can even see the renaments of Lakewood yellow paint inside the bar.
Dave

[whitetop]

Here is a pic from the '74 Lakewood catalog. Notice the mounting bracket and look at yours-they are 100% identical.
Why would Lakewood copy the Dana design down to the most grittiest detail and why would Dana make the bars so perfectly machined/welded(expense $$) unless they were going to mass produce them on a grand scale which we know they never did?

p.s. check out ebay # 2437270171 & 2437503631

[Belair62]

ole Whitetop knows his stuff when it comes to aftermarket !