The black plastic hand brake handle on my '69 Spider has a crack on the top running lengthwise, about 1/16" wide. Does anyone know where a replacement might be available? Alternatively, does anyone have any ideas as to how to restore it? I'm also looking for an original-type boot for the handle; does anyone know if they are available? Thanks.
'69 Spider Hand Brake Handle
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I just replaced the tunnel carpet, hand brake boot today on my '69 Spider. I found an original style rubber hand brake boot at reoriginals.com. It was an excellent match for the original, once I cleaned up the excess rubber along the mold parting line. As for the plastic handle, replacement sounds like your best bet. It should be easy enough to find a hand brake from a donor car. Ebay is the likely source, although you might also check with Alfa Parts Exchange (APE).
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I know, Reoriginals is not inexpensive, but they have some very hard to find items. I think the actual price was somewhat less, just under $100. The original boot was stitched into the carpet (at least mine was), so you might consider finding an auto uphostery shop to do the stitching if you decide to replace the shift boot.
There is a hand brake on ebay. The listing says it is for a 71-85. It looks like the one in my '69 though. Maybe someone on the BB knows for certain if this is correct for the "69 spider.
eBay Motors: Alfa Romeo Spider Emergency Brake Handle Assembly 71-85 (item 310004135239 end time Dec-09-07 09:16:50 PST)
There is a hand brake on ebay. The listing says it is for a 71-85. It looks like the one in my '69 though. Maybe someone on the BB knows for certain if this is correct for the "69 spider.
eBay Motors: Alfa Romeo Spider Emergency Brake Handle Assembly 71-85 (item 310004135239 end time Dec-09-07 09:16:50 PST)
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69 Dog Leg
Up through '69 the brake lever in a SV had a "dog leg" just behind the handle. In 71 they were straight but had the same black handle. I just had to sub a '71 in my '6's9 as it was all seized up. After I figure out how to get the #%^$#)(*U thins apart and unseize it, I'll probably put it back on.
Up through '69 the brake lever in a SV had a "dog leg" just behind the handle. In 71 they were straight but had the same black handle. I just had to sub a '71 in my '6's9 as it was all seized up. After I figure out how to get the #%^$#)(*U thins apart and unseize it, I'll probably put it back on.
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Thanks for noticing! This part has been hard to find for a long time, so it's nice to finally have something to offer.
It's hard black plastic with a pebbled vinyl texture to it. It would be most correct on a later model car, but will work on a '69.
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Yea but . .
While it has a pebbled finish rather than the smooth black plastic finish of a '69 or '71 handle, if yours is cracked or has a piece out (like mine), it may be better than that until you can find or make a correct handle. It will work fine and look better than a cracked one; perhaps not concourse. The bent 69 arm with the new handle is way more correct than a straight '71 one. Heck, get a chunk of mahogany and make one to match the Nadri and shift knob. There's "not correct" but nice. Just save the old parts.
While it has a pebbled finish rather than the smooth black plastic finish of a '69 or '71 handle, if yours is cracked or has a piece out (like mine), it may be better than that until you can find or make a correct handle. It will work fine and look better than a cracked one; perhaps not concourse. The bent 69 arm with the new handle is way more correct than a straight '71 one. Heck, get a chunk of mahogany and make one to match the Nadri and shift knob. There's "not correct" but nice. Just save the old parts.
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Chuck:
That DeNoya Trading Post handle on ebay appears to be what DeNoya claims it to be: a '71 or later handle. Notice that it is straight.
As Alfanuts writes, "Up through '69 the brake lever in a SV had a "dog leg" just behind the handle". I don't see that dog leg in the picture DeNoya posted on ebay.
That DeNoya Trading Post handle on ebay appears to be what DeNoya claims it to be: a '71 or later handle. Notice that it is straight.
As Alfanuts writes, "Up through '69 the brake lever in a SV had a "dog leg" just behind the handle". I don't see that dog leg in the picture DeNoya posted on ebay.
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You can disassmeble everything except the button and return spring without removing the handle. Remove the bolt that holds the lever to the bracket. Then, push out the long hollow pin. You'll then have to work out the long shaft as it will have quite a bit of old grease. Before pushing out the shaft, make note of the orientation of the tooth. If it's not oriented correctly, the lever will not catch and lock the parking brake.
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There are two small screws to remove. And after removal, my handle stayed stuck. I presume you soak it with solvent and eventually it may slide off without being destroyed. Haven;t finished this job yet. One of the UK vendors (perhaps others) sold the correct 69 smooth handles just in case (Alfaholics or Highwood, or both). I got one as mine is chipped anyway.
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