GTA Tow Eye Bolt

39cub · #1 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 10:57 AM

Sorry, gentlemen, for what I'm afraid may be a stupid question

, but I just have to ask:

Are the "eye bolts" seen on racing GTAs, mounted at the bumper fixing point, simply a hardware store eye bolt or something a bit more refined, from a race supply house, for instance?

Is there any additional reinforcing provided behind the sheet metal at the attachment point?

Many thanks for your responses!

Chuck

JohnT · #2 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 04:31 PM

Hi Chuck-
I had a similar question recently in searching for something for my replica. After doing some research and searching on google I found that there are several different quality eyebolts. You will undoubtedly want one that is welded at the eye, so some typical hardware store versions may not be suitable. I also found that there are a variety of materials available depending on how much it needs to "pull". If you do a search, you will find the high quality eyebolts (for about $30 a pop)
All that being said, I ended up going with OMP tow hooks that I cut down and tapped so they were flush to the body.

-JT

**Wil Painter** · #3 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 06:27 PM

Two photos attached, the "eye bolt" is from McMaster Carr, McMaster-Carr , their service is outstanding, and their catalog gives detailed engineering data so that you can "engineer" your selection. The other is from Autoparco in Japan, I got it when buying wheels from them. I did add a weld bead along the bracket at the frame.
Wil

39cub · #4 (**permalink**) 12-17-2007, 01:51 PM

John and Wil,

Thanks for taking the time to shed some light on this for me.

I have an all-original '65 Giulia Sprint GT and am thinking about running it a while sans bumpers and with my big, vintage Marchall spot and fog lights mounted two per side as we see so often in contemporary photos of the rally and race GTAs. I thought the tow eye was a quite sensible idea, too, even for a street car.

I'll check out McMaster and OMG and see what looks right.

Thanks again! And Merry Christmas!

Chuck

JohnT · #5 (**permalink**) 12-17-2007, 05:50 PM

Here's a pic of the OMP version:

**George Willet** · #6 (**permalink**) 12-17-2007, 08:07 PM

Ok guys: I need to mention that the best tow ring is only bolted to the sheet metal on the bumper mount that is only two thickness's of sheet metal on a 105/115 chasis. I wouldn't want to trust someone in a hurry towing my car out of a sand trap ( happens to others never to me).

I suggest you make a plate with a large hole in it that uses the bolts to the suspension roll bar mounting; or insist that they put the strap on the roll bar inside the car, (not that I've ever needed to use this approach). Otherwise the front sheet metal can be torn and you are still in the sand trap.

**dan farmer** · #7 (**permalink**) 12-17-2007, 10:34 PM

Thank you, George. I've often wondered where to find anything strong enough at the very ends of these cars. Do you have any suggestions for rear tow eyes on a Giulia Super?

-df

innocenti · #8 (**permalink**) 12-28-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wil Painter

Two photos attached, the "eye bolt" is from McMaster Carr, McMaster-Carr , their service is outstanding, and their catalog gives detailed engineering data so that you can "engineer" your selection. The other is from Autoparco in Japan, I got it when buying wheels from them. I did add a weld bead along the bracket at the frame.
Wil

**Andrew** · #9 (**permalink**) 12-29-2008, 10:35 AM

The bumper-mounting structure on the rear of a Super is pretty similar to on a GTA or GTV; it just bolts to a couple thicknesses of sheetmetal. You could reinforce the body structure there on the inside with the pieces to the trunk floor or inner rear fender.

Gifford added some tow hooks/tie-down points on his white race Super (see the Sedan thread) at the bottom rear of the trailing arm, and the front lower A-arms. I've never seen that before, but seems like it might work.

Andrew

MeanRedSpider · #10 (**permalink**) 12-30-2008, 06:11 AM

I think the front mounting point is pretty good - there's a beefy bracket to take the load and I've been towed (not out of the gravel) by that a few times - including some pretty steep slopes.

The rear bumper mount I really wouldn't trust and I've seen a car where the eye was pulled right through (after damaging the rear valence). Before next season, I plan to fit a rod from that point forward to the mounting point of my Watts linkage. The rod, in tension, will take a lot of load.

Also bear in mind that race regs determine the size of the towing eye (these seem to be getting larger and larger....)

Richard