Is it possible to move the handbrake to under the dashboard?

[Caterham84]

As some of you will be aware, I'm considering buying a second hand Caterham, and I have a preference for cars with 60s styling (i.e. clamshell wings, bench seats, etc.)

I've noticed that all newer cars have the handbrake positioned on the transmission tunnel. I'm wondering how difficult it would be to move the handbrake back to the position that it used to occupy on the earlier cars (i.e. under the passenger's side dashboard).

I realise this question might seem a bit nuts to some of you, because in many respects, it makes more sense for the handbrake to be on the transmission tunnel. However, in my opinion, the under-dash handbrake is one of those amusing quirks that gave the earlier Sevens their character.

Incidentally, does anyone know why Caterham removed the option of having the handbrake under the dash, on their new cars? IVA requirement perhaps?

[Porkbrain]

I had a VX Caterham with the handbrake under the dash for 3 years - total pain in the rear when wearing a harness rather than a seatbelt.

I soon stopped using it after tightening the harness then having to release the straps because I'd forgotten to release the handbrake, so always left the car in first gear when parked.

Living just outside Caterham means that there are a large number of 1 in 4 hills, so a real pain if you get stuck in a queue of traffic on a steep hill, even when wearing a seatbelt you have to bend double to be able to engage or release it, not that easy if wearing a fleece and heavy jacket in the winter.

If you really prefer the older style of 7 - then why not just buy an old one, there are shedloads still on the road.

[Aeroscreens]

My '93 Caterham has an under the dash handbrake and it gets used once a year for the MOT, as said above it's just get left in 1st gear. However, it is nice to have a 'clean' tunnel top. Not sure I'd go to the expense of trying to convert to something you won't use...

[fergus]

Aeroscreens said:

My '93 Caterham has an under the dash handbrake and it gets used once a year for the MOT, as said above it's just get left in 1st gear. However, it is nice to have a 'clean' tunnel top. Not sure I'd go to the expense of trying to convert to something you won't use...

+1. It's just an MOT requirement for me.

I think "all" you'd need to do would be to weld on the bosses for the underdash handbrake and some of the handbrake cable outer stops (found towards the diff end of the transmission tunnel. Not a massive job in itself, but may require removing the dash and scuttle to gain access.

If you can find a "friendly" MOT station, although they're not technically allowed as they're not mechanical, you may be able to pass an MOT with a (hydraulic) line lock installed in the rear brake circuit. However, this depends how your brakes are setup. I can tune F/R bias on mine, so have discrete fwd and rear brake ciruits.

[Caterham84]

Porkbrain said:

If you really prefer the older style of 7 - then why not just buy an old one, there are shedloads still on the road.

I could, and I might. The trouble is that most of the older style Sevens are based around the Xflow engine, and I've ruled out that engine as an option.

There was a small window of time in the mid-90s when Caterham was selling K-Series Sevens in the older style. However, there don't appear to be many of those cars around. I'm conscious of the fact that if I'm too fussy, I'll never find a car that meets my requirements within the budget I've set myself.

[Eric Mc]

I have one of those aforementioned Crossflow powered Sevens with the handbrake under the scuttle. To be honest, I wouldn't go for that handbrake option out of choice - but it is livable with. It does make hill starts interesting.

[justleanitupabit]

Caterham84 said:

Porkbrain said:

If you really prefer the older style of 7 - then why not just buy an old one, there are shedloads still on the road.

I could, and I might. The trouble is that most of the older style Sevens are based around the Xflow engine, and I've ruled out that engine as an option.

There was a small window of time in the mid-90s when Caterham was selling K-Series Sevens in the older style. However, there don't appear to be many of those cars around. I'm conscious of the fact that if I'm too fussy, I'll never find a car that meets my requirements within the budget I've set myself.

Flared wings can by bolted on a k seven once you've sourced them obviously then if the handbrake bothers you aesthetically that much, then buy one of these.

http://www.softbitsshop.co.uk/caterham-academy-han...

[7ss]

Caterham84 said:

I could, and I might. The trouble is that most of the older style Sevens are based around the Xflow engine, and I've ruled out that engine as an option.

There was a small window of time in the mid-90s when Caterham was selling K-Series Sevens in the older style. However, there don't appear to be many of those cars around. I'm conscious of the fact that if I'm too fussy, I'll never find a car that meets my requirements within the budget I've set myself.

Look for a race chassis, RSA, Acadamy, etc. Theses kept the under dash hand brake until the change to metric chassis. My 2001 RSA still has it under the dash. Still wouldn't hunt it out specifically mind.

[Tom_C76]

7ss said:

Caterham84 said:

I could, and I might. The trouble is that most of the older style Sevens are based around the Xflow engine, and I've ruled out that engine as an option.

There was a small window of time in the mid-90s when Caterham was selling K-Series Sevens in the older style. However, there don't appear to be many of those cars around. I'm conscious of the fact that if I'm too fussy, I'll never find a car that meets my requirements within the budget I've set myself.

Look for a race chassis, RSA, Acadamy, etc. Theses kept the under dash hand brake until the change to metric chassis. My 2001 RSA still has it under the dash. Still wouldn't hunt it out specifically mind.

Not true for academy cars, mine is a 2005 academy so imperial chassis but has a tunnel handbrake.

OP, if you want vintage styling, surely a crossflow would only add to the charm? They sound wonderful, plus you get the authentic stains on the clamshell wing from the carbs...

[Caterham84]

Thanks for the replies. I agree it's not worth the expense and hassle of moving the handbrake, if that's the only modification you're making to the car. Indeed, it would be a slightly crazy thing to do.

However, if I was making extensive modifications for some other reason (for example replacing the entire chassis after an accident) then I was wondering how easy it would be to move the handbrake at the same time. Obviously, the aluminium sheet covering the transmisison tunnel is different. But are there any other structural differences to the chassis?

And what about the differences between Imperial and Metric chassis. Can you fit an under-dash handbrake to a Metric chassis?

This is really more of a thought experiment than something I'm ever likely to do.

[BertBert]

Caterham84 said:

This is really more of a thought experiment than something I'm ever likely to do.

Well along the lines of thought experiment answer, I can't think of a more daft mod to make

[wile7]

What was the outcome?

Old school seven or K-Series car with under dash handbrake?

[wile7]

What was the outcome?

Old school seven or K-Series car with under dash handbrake?

[bcr5784]

BertBert said:

Well along the lines of thought experiment answer, I can't think of a more daft mod to make

The under dash handbrake was far from elegant, but I have to say that (at least for a shortarse like myself) that it was rather more convenient than the current one. It did pose the problem of inadvertently fondling your passengers knee (or, I suppose the opportunity of advertently (?) doing so)