Re: Early C1 Disc Brakes? SR1 or Sebring
Sebring style Halibrand wheel.
SR1 style Halibrand wheel.
Sebring style Halibrand wheel.
SR1 style Halibrand wheel.
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Re: Early C1 Disc Brakes? SR1 or Sebring
Hi Tom,
Mine are definitely similar to those that you've identified as SR-1 Style. Does your wheel have the Halibrand code WH 2011 onthe reverse side?
Thanks,
TomComment
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Re: Early C1 Disc Brakes? SR1 or Sebring
Tom,
Those are not my wheels. Those are John Neas' wheels. I was kind of waiting for John to post pictures of them, and since he hasn't yet, and because the discussion has gotten into the Sebring vs SR1 wheels, I thought it would be good to post pictures of the differences between the two for clarification.
John is the owner of the cars, but I have been around them so much, I built the engine and 2x4s for the Sebring car, various rears, 4spds and FI units for John and consequently, in some aspects, I'm probably more familiar with some of his stuff than he is.
Another thing I keep forgetting to do (just because it is significant to me personally), is to take close pictures of the rear brake scoops on the Sebring and SR1 cars. At first glance, they APPEAR to be the same, but upon close examination, they are shapped totally different.
Why is this important???? From my view point, there were 4 1956 Sebring cars (THESE WERE PREPARED BY CHEVROLET, NOT BY AN OUTSIDE SOURCE!!!!) and MAYBE 2 exist (John has one). There were 6(?) 1956 SR1 cars built (AT THE St. LOUIS PLANT) and MAYBE 2 exist (or at least known). These cars are (in my opinion) the very first GENUINE effort by Corvette to develop and pursue a true version of hardcore high-performance/racing efforts. That continued (somewhat) through the early 57 model year. We all know about the ban of 57 and the rest is history. As a result, these VERY EARLY examples of more or less serious Corvette performance cars are ultra scarce!!! And fortunately, 2 of those examples reside in John's posession. John has made every effort to return these 2 cars to their TRUE configuration (56 Sebring race and June 56 factory delivery) when they were new. Primative??? Heck yes, by today's standards, but state of the art by the standards of the day for a factory effort to build a REAL competitive performance sports car. Successful?? Not hardly with only less than a handful in existance today. Commendable?? Absolutely!Comment
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Re: Early C1 Disc Brakes? SR1 or Sebring
ALL Halibrands of that type will be numbered 2011 - having such a # does NOT = Chevrolet's first disc brakes. The test was a FAILURE and a week later, testing with drums led to wider linings and plan "B" - drum brakes - came into effect.
You have a set of 50+ year old Halibrands that apparently were "raced" - by the safety wires - at some time. Perhaps they came off another one of the "SR" cars; perhaps they came off a Bonneville or El Mirage racer or ?
Right now, because of their age, they are suitable for static display. Enjoy.Comment
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Re: Early C1 Disc Brakes? SR1 or Sebring
Hi Tom, I think I mentioned my phone conversation with John. He was very supportivve and did confirm that his wheels had the WH 2011 casting on the back of the one set he pulled to check.(see his thread).
I believe what I have is a late 55 or early 56 Corvette disc brake that was designed for brake trials at Sebring. Had that test been successful, disc brakes would have shown up on either the SR1 or Sebring Corvettes. As we know from Chevrolet records, those trials were not successful.
Does anyone have information on the calipers/bearings/brackets as described in AIM 2934 SR Corvette?
Thanks again,
TomComment
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Re: Early C1 Disc Brakes? SR1 or Sebring
Thanks Loren,
Do you have the details of that failed trial? Additionally, what info may exist on the calipers that were used and any mention of lining materials?
Thanks,
TomComment
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Re: Early C1 Disc Brakes? SR1 or Sebring
Hi Loren,
I have Googled Halibrand Spot Disc and Spot Disc with little luck in finding any photos , blueprints, etc. for this brake. I also tried the Sprint Car pages for info. Are you aware of any pictures ,AIM's , etc for this brake caliper? Does anyone have a picture of Halibrand Spot Discs?
I agree that any further work on this project would result in static display only.
Thanks,
TomComment
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Re: Early C1 Disc Brakes? SR1 or Sebring
Tom -
Quote from A.J. Watson (famous Indy roadster builder) which may explain the negative outcome of the Halibrand spot disc brake test on the Corvette:
"Building this car has been kind of strange because I didn't build the original. But it's been fun, chasing stuff and figuring out how the thing was set up. The biggest problem with building new 'old' cars is finding engine parts and steering parts. And Halibrand brakes are getting scarce, mainly because they were so bad everybody threw'em away back then."
From http://www.caranddriver.com/features...ng_cars_page_2Comment
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Re: Early C1 Disc Brakes? SR1 or Sebring
Tom
I believe that a brake rebuilder has advertised that they rebuild Halibrand spots. It may have been White Post. You might try them. After that you might try the Indy roadster group. There is a McConnel sp in Columbus Ohio that has over 20 Roadsters, He will probably have a good understanding of the spots.
RegardsComment
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Re: Early C1 Disc Brakes? SR1 or Sebring
Thanks again for your reply. It's funny that the spot discs are notorious as a design intended for "industrial brakes". You'd think that after tanks and aircraft, a Corvette would be simple. Additionally, Ted Halibrand's first products were used in the aircraft industry. There, he won his most coveted awards for safety design.
I'll follow any lead to find a set of these for my early brake set-up.
Thanks again,
TomComment
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Re: Early C1 Disc Brakes? SR1 or Sebring
I'll follow any lead to find a set of these for my early brake set-up.
Thanks again,
Tom[/quote]
WHY? Do you own a car that was used in these brake tests? If not, all you will have accomplished is the assembly of an Engineering Trial setup that ALL regarded as "deficient"! Not to mention that installation on your car and subsequent mileage put you in the "danger zone". The testing revealed them to be inadequate and now, fifty years later, you want to use oxidized mag wheels to ride around on..........Comment
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Re: Early C1 Disc Brakes? SR1 or Sebring
I have read this thread with interest and have a question for each of the 56 race experts who have contributed.
Do/have any of you seen or have a copy of the Chevrolet Engineering Work Order # 17725?Comment
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Re: Early C1 Disc Brakes? SR1 or Sebring
John
Thought you might enjoy these pictures of an AJ Watson Indy Roadster
...recently restored by AJ Watson for the current owner.
This roadster was purpose built for Eb Rose ( in 1962 or 1963 ). Eb Rose and AJ Foyt were partners in the early days.
JoeComment
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Re: Early C1 Disc Brakes? SR1 or Sebring
WHY? Do you own a car that was used in these brake tests? If not, all you will have accomplished is the assembly of an Engineering Trial setup that ALL regarded as "deficient"! Not to mention that installation on your car and subsequent mileage put you in the "danger zone". The testing revealed them to be inadequate and now, fifty years later, you want to use oxidized mag wheels to ride around on..........[/quote]Comment
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