67 E-Brake Handle

[Al B.]

I believe that earl 67 corvette had an all black e-brake handle and at some point they added a chrome insert down the lenght of the handle and a ring around the push button end. My question is does any know when this change took place ? Mine has the all black handle and was built on or about 30 Sept 67, not sure if it wore off and should be chrome or should it be all black.

Thanks for the help

Al Burton

[Wayne W.]

Re: 67 E-Brake Handle

Yours would likely have been black. The chrome doesn't generally wear off. If its black now and hasn`t been changed, it came that way.

[Al B.]

Re: 67 E-Brake Handle

Yours would likely have been black. The chrome doesn't generally wear off. If its black now and hasn`t been changed, it came that way.

Thanks Wayne, I had another 67 some years ago and it was chrome and read that the factory had made the change but wasn't sure when.

Thanks Again

Al Burton

[Randy R.]

Re: 67 E-Brake Handle

I have a May 67 built car. The E-brake handle is all black. The judging manual says both designs appear throughout the year. Randy

[Mike E.]

Re: 67 E-Brake Handle

My early May car also has all black.

[Michael F.]

Re: 67 E-Brake Handle

post a picture of an all black one, never seen one myself.

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 E-Brake Handle

I have a May 67 built car. The E-brake handle is all black. The judging manual says both designs appear throughout the year. Randy

Randy------


There never was a part number difference between the "all black" and "chrome hi-lighted" 1967 parking brake lever assemblies----both were GM #3897428. So, the difference must have been accomplished by a change to the specifications for the assembly.

The 3897428 lever assembly was used from 1967 through 1976. One of the main problems with these lever assemblies is that the black plastic handle was made from polystyrene plastic. This is a fragile, easily broken type of plastic (e.g. it's the same type of plastic that model airplanes and cars are constructed of). In my opinion, this was a very poor choice of material for the handle.

For the 1977 model year the lever assembly was changed to GM #378207. I believe this was the first Corvette lever assembly to use a new type of plastic that was "soft" and virtually indestructible---from a functional perspective a MUCH better choice. In February, 1979 the GM #3897428 was discontinued and replaced by the 378207 for 67-76 SERVICE.

For 1982 the lever assembly was changed again to GM #14033719. I don't know how this assembly differed from the 378207. In June, 1982 the 378207 was discontinued and replaced by the 14033719 for all 1967-81 SERVICE.

[Michael J.]

Re: 67 E-Brake Handle

post a picture of an all black one, never seen one myself.

+1. my Feb. '67 build has the chrome (really just plasticized chrome-like) ring around it.

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 E-Brake Handle

post a picture of an all black one, never seen one myself.

Michael------


I have not a picture but the "all black" handle appeared just like the "chrome hi-lighted" version except that the chrome cap on the button end and the chrome "spine" down the length of the top of the handle were not present.

By the way, there were also differences in the configuration of the embossed "cross-hatch" grip surface of the handles. However, I believe that change might not have been coincident with the addition of the chrome and somewhat carried over for awhile in the chrome period.

[Michael M.]

Re: 67 E-Brake Handle

post a picture of an all black one, never seen one myself.

Here's a picture of my black handle - not a close-up but most features are visible. Build date is 5/19/67 and handle is believed to be original.

[Neal K.]

Re: 67 E-Brake Handle

My September 6, 1966 production date L-79, has an all black emergency brake handle. I have owned the car since September of 1969.
Neal

[Al B.]

Re: 67 E-Brake Handle

My September 6, 1966 production date L-79, has an all black emergency brake handle. I have owned the car since September of 1969.
Neal

Thanks Neal, always though the ones without the chrome wrer ones that had just worn off (as the chrome is realy plastic). My first 67 (bought in 1971) had the chrome. Just purchased a 67 coupe (427/400/AC) and in going thru it I noticed what I though was the wrong handle. Some quick research shows two replacements availabe. The tank sticker has a 30 Sept 66 build date and didn't kow when they made the change but it appears that it was not a complete change toa chrome handle. Started doing restoration work on vettes in 1967 should have known that.

Thank you all very much !!

Al Burton

[Wayne W.]

Re: 67 E-Brake Handle

Thanks Neal, always though the ones without the chrome wrer ones that had just worn off (as the chrome is realy plastic). My first 67 (bought in 1971) had the chrome. Just purchased a 67 coupe (427/400/AC) and in going thru it I noticed what I though was the wrong handle. Some quick research shows two replacements availabe. The tank sticker has a 30 Sept 66 build date and didn't kow when they made the change but it appears that it was not a complete change toa chrome handle. Started doing restoration work on vettes in 1967 should have known that.

Thank you all very much !!

Al Burton

This is from observation only and is a general rule.

Early 67s, except the pilot cars were generally black. Middle production cars were generally chrome trimmed. Later production were generally black. The black handles were used into 68 production. All of the handles had the same cut pattern whether chrome or not.

Sometime about `70 the plastic part of the handle was changed to a thicker design and a molded pressed pattern.

After `76 there have been a couple more grip material and pattern changes.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 67 E-Brake Handle

There are several differences between the early all black plastic and the 2 other "generations" of handle up to 1976. Below is a photo of all three with a top and side view of each. The one on the bottom is the latest hard plastic design. These are all unrestored originals that have been separated from their handles in preparation for replating and restoration. It may be hard to see but the diamond pattern stops short of the chrome tip by about 1/8" where the earlier black and chrome designs have the diamond right up to the chrome. The pattern itself is sharper in the earlier designs and the corners are sharper. The all black is manufactured differently in that it is essentially molded as one piece. The chromed ones have center core which is completely chromed and the sides are molded to this core. The core material is a grey ABS or polystyrene material as are the black sides. It is softened by lacquer thinner or acetone which generally indicates ABS. I have had hundreds of these sent to me over the yeas rand have never had an all black one from a '68 although it is entirely possible that they are out there.
Jeff

[Al B.]

Re: 67 E-Brake Handle

There are several differences between the early all black plastic and the 2 other "generations" of handle up to 1976. Below is a photo of all three with a top and side view of each. The one on the bottom is the latest hard plastic design. These are all unrestored originals that have been separated from their handles in preparation for replating and restoration. It may be hard to see but the diamond pattern stops short of the chrome tip by about 1/8" where the earlier black and chrome designs have the diamond right up to the chrome. The pattern itself is sharper in the earlier designs and the corners are sharper. The all black is manufactured differently in that it is essentially molded as one piece. The chromed ones have center core which is completely chromed and the sides are molded to this core. The core material is a grey ABS or polystyrene material as are the black sides. It is softened by lacquer thinner or acetone which generally indicates ABS. I have had hundreds of these sent to me over the yeas rand have never had an all black one from a '68 although it is entirely possible that they are out there.
Jeff

Thanks Jeffrey. Mine looks like the one in the upper left hand corner, my VIN number is 2226 (end Sept/early Oct 66 production) and i wanted to be sure someone hadn't installed the wrong one along the way.

Al burton