66 Park Brake Handle Bracket Hazard Flasher hole

[Donald H.]

I believe the same under dash park brake handle bracket was used for 64 through 66. One difference is that in 66 the optional hazard flasher (V74) was mounted in a hole in the bracket. The AIM indicates the location and size of the hole, so that would lead me to believe the hole was drilled on the assembly line at some point, or did all 66s have the hole in the bracket to accept the V74 option?

My car has the hole, so does that mean it had the Hazard Flasher, or someone replaced the park brake bracket?

According to the black book, only 20% of the 66s had the V74 option. Given the low options of my car, it's hard to believe it came with V74 originally!!

Thanks,

Don

[Russ S.]

Re: 66 Park Brake Handle Bracket Hazard Flasher hole

!966 did not have the hole if not equipped with V74. That's why the AIM gave instructions as to the specs of the hole with V74.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 66 Park Brake Handle Bracket Hazard Flasher hole

Keep in mind that parking brake dash brackets have a hole (higher up) for the oil pressure line. This is the case for '65 and probably '64 and '63.

[Donald H.]

Re: 66 Park Brake Handle Bracket Hazard Flasher hole

Keep in mind that parking brake dash brackets have a hole (higher up) for the oil pressure line. This is the case for '65 and probably '64 and '63.

Yes, I was aware of the hole at the top for the oil pressure line. Mine has the hole in the center down closer to the handle, and there is areas around the hole that would indicate something was attached at some point. Assuming the assembly is original to my car, then I assume my car had the hazard option. My car options that I am fairly certain of are L79, Positraction and 4 speed. So not a high optioned car with comfort features. It just hard to believe someone chose the V74 option for this car, which was on about 20% of the 66s.

Don

[Brian K.]

Re: 66 Park Brake Handle Bracket Hazard Flasher hole

Remember some State laws required hazard lights it 1966, I think NY was one and WV? It became Fed law in 1967 like side marker lights in 1968 and shoulder belts in 1969.

[Donald H.]

Re: 66 Park Brake Handle Bracket Hazard Flasher hole

My car was delivered new in NY, so that would explain the hazard option.

[John L.]

Re: 66 Park Brake Handle Bracket Hazard Flasher hole

My 66 was also delivered new to NY (Rochester) and has the hole. I have the flasher unit however I have not re-installed it.

[Donald H.]

Re: 66 Park Brake Handle Bracket Hazard Flasher hole

My 66 was also delivered new to NY (Rochester) and has the hole. I have the flasher unit however I have not re-installed it.

Do you possibly know of a way to bench test the flasher unit? I'm talking to a guy about purchasing one. Folks are asking crazy money for them and I'm just starting restoration so there is no way for me to plug one into my car and see if it works.

Don

[Mike T.]

Re: 66 Park Brake Handle Bracket Hazard Flasher hole

Don - My 66 never came with the V74 option but I thought it was a neat option to add and now have it on both my 66 and 65 Coupes. Luckily I bought them a long time ago when they were going for $35-$50. Been a while since I messed with them but do remember a single power lead that connects to the fuse block but can't remember seeing a ground wire so suspect the body of the flasher grounds through the parking brake handle so you could probably wire up another clip to provide ground. But to actually see if the unit works, I'm thinking you might have to attach it to the crescent shaped 'banana-plug' connector above the steering column as it would be in normal configuration and pull the activator knob and hope for the best. Maybe someone else will have a suggestions that doesn't entail making a full installation just to see if it works or not. Good luck.

[Donald H.]

Re: 66 Park Brake Handle Bracket Hazard Flasher hole

Don - My 66 never came with the V74 option but I thought it was a neat option to add and now have it on both my 66 and 65 Coupes. Luckily I bought them a long time ago when they were going for $35-$50. Been a while since I messed with them but do remember a single power lead that connects to the fuse block but can't remember seeing a ground wire so suspect the body of the flasher grounds through the parking brake handle so you could probably wire up another clip to provide ground. But to actually see if the unit works, I'm thinking you might have to attach it to the crescent shaped 'banana-plug' connector above the steering column as it would be in normal configuration and pull the activator knob and hope for the best. Maybe someone else will have a suggestions that doesn't entail making a full installation just to see if it works or not. Good luck.

Unfortunately I have the wiring out of my car as I get ready to lift the body. It will likely be a year before I get that the point of re installing the harnesses, so a complete test now really isn't possible unless I convince a friend to use his car. I would not be real happy with paying what the guy is asking for a unit and finding out a year from now it doesn't work. Might be rather hard to get my money back.

Don

[Mike T.]

Re: 66 Park Brake Handle Bracket Hazard Flasher hole

I see your dilemma. No doubt the seller isn't local to you and doesn't have a midyear around to use as a test stand for the flasher unit. While those flashers, like everything else associated with midyears, have gone up in value and could be a bit more expensive in a years time, I'd suggest holding off on getting one until you are ready to test it a year or so from now. Truth is though, they are simple mechanisms and I've never bought one that didn't work. I even have the Pontiac version which has a slightly different face plate and pull knob but works on the same principle.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 66 Park Brake Handle Bracket Hazard Flasher hole

Exactly what does the switch look like? My buddy installed a unit in my 63, probably as early as 1964 or 1965, when I was out of the country in SEA. It's a pull type switch with a red jewel in the knob. More likely than not it was an aftermarket piece and, as such, I re-wired/mounted it much further up under the dash on the peddle mounting bracket so it was not seen by the public (the informal no it all judges at car shows). To an expert judge or inspector it can be seen when looking under the dash. I rarely use it and when I do I have to probe with my hand to find it. It works very well and I'm glad I have it as it came in handy a couple of times.

Stu Fox

[Mike T.]

Re: 66 Park Brake Handle Bracket Hazard Flasher hole

Stuart - The actual Chevrolet switch portion behind the parking brake bracket looks identical to the pic I attached of the Pontiac version. For Corvettes there was no 'face plate' and the pull knob was totally red plastic, no chrome edging as used on Pontiacs.

[Donald H.]

Re: 66 Park Brake Handle Bracket Hazard Flasher hole

Here's a couple of more picture of the corvette hazard switch assembly.

There seems to be a lot of the 60's hazard switches around. Some of the GM models look to be interchangeable, but not all. However, the transparent red knob on the front seems to be specific to 65/66 corvette. Or at least that's what I have found searching the internet. I've see a one or two of the correct switch assemblies on Ebay, but missing the red knob. So, for me they are not usable without the correct knob.

Don

[Dan T.]

Re: 66 Park Brake Handle Bracket Hazard Flasher hole

Don, Congratulations to Don. He has everything in order. I have one in my car too. It a neat option. I was under the impression that these were installed in 66's only. Not in 65. Good luck with your restoration, get it together and bring it to the 50th anniversary next year. See you there. Dan