Questions about secondary front sway bar for early Vettes.

[Tom P.]

As I have always understood it, the secondary front sway bar for the early cars was only available from the parts dept as a field installation. Is that Correct?
Was the secondary bar EVER installed on the St. Louis assembly line, or was it ever part of the HD brake/susp RPO?

Second, when did the secondary front sway bar become available?

[John H.]

Re: Questions about secondary front sway bar for early Vettes.

As I have always understood it, the secondary front sway bar for the early cars was only available from the parts dept as a field installation. Is that Correct?
Was the secondary bar EVER installed on the St. Louis assembly line, or was it ever part of the HD brake/susp RPO?

Second, when did the secondary front sway bar become available?

Tom -

I've only seen one personally (at the Kissimmee Regional several years ago) - the secondary bar was long-gone, but the brackets were still there, with fairly goober-looking welds that said field installation. As far as I know, none ever left St. Louis.

[Mike E.]

Re: Questions about secondary front sway bar for early Vettes.

Gulf Oil install (welds) were very high quality. I also owned a NOS set-up back in the 80s--included install instructions/diagram. It was clear that it was a non-production over the counter or out the back door option. 36-gallon tank and exhaust in the rocker area were the same. Non-production, but designed and engineered by GM.

[Mike E.]

Re: Questions about secondary front sway bar for early Vettes.

By the way, Tom, Gulf felt the car handled best with the double front bar and none on the rear, and it's hard to argue with their success.

[Michael H.]

Re: Questions about secondary front sway bar for early Vettes.

Tom,

I believe the bar was shipped as a kit, as Mike Ernst mentioned. It likely first became available in service some time around mid/late 1962 for use on 57-62 cars. The kit included the bar, brackets and bushings.
It was shown in the parts book in group 7.241. I think it remained available through at least 1972?? but I'm not sure. It's not shown in my 1974 price book.
The part number was 3823052. (typical part number numerical value for the 63 model year)

[Tom P.]

Re: Questions about secondary front sway bar for early Vettes.

That's EXACTLY what I thought!!! BUUUUUUUUT, I wasn't totally sure. I have NEVER seen one installed, although, John Neas has one in his big "garage" (actually a warehouse!). So, I have actually viewed the bar, but not seen one installed.
Years ago, SOMEONE posted pictures of the install instructions and the box the kit came in, but old age has faded my memory as to who that person was.
THANKS A TON for the info!

[Terry D.]

Re: Questions about secondary front sway bar for early Vettes.

Now that you have us curious, could someone post a picture or at least describe where it was installed?
Thanks
Terry

[Tom P.]

Re: Questions about secondary front sway bar for early Vettes.

Terry,
From what I've seen (John Neas' bar and pictures from the past), the secondary bar is shorter than the factory installed front bar and a little more irregularly shaped (my best description). The kit also includes (as I remember) two brackets which are the same, or quite similar, as the brackets that are spot welded on the under side of the lower A-frames for the front bar. These 2 brackets are to be welded to the underside of the lower A-frames at the rear. There are brackets that are to be welded to the INSIDE sides of the frame rails behind the front cross member for attachment of the links which connect between the frame and the lower A-frame brackets. The bar is positioned below the front step of the engine oil pan and requires that the exhaust cross over pipe be removed and the fitting on each exhaust pipe, just below the exhaust manifolds, be capped.
I have ZERO clue how many of these secondary sway bar kits were made, sold, installed on cars. But it was provided by GM for improved competition handling on the early Vettes.

[Gary C.]

Re: Questions about secondary front sway bar for early Vettes.

Tom,

No information in any of the C1 P&A's or the '59 Corvette Sports Car brochure.

First place the part number that Mike Hanson provided shows up in the 1963 P&A.

Good luck with your research. Keep us posted if you find anything.

Gary
....

[Steven B.]

Re: Questions about secondary front sway bar for early Vettes.

Tom, in '65 I asked my parts man about OTC availability. He went to the back of the parts area and came back to tell me he could get a kit. He called someone at Chevy (Region, IIRC) and told me the kit contained a bar, mounting brackets and instructions. I can't remember the price but Charlie often gave me a discount on the "odd" pieces. I also checked on an AC 8000 RPM and I was quoted somewhere in the $70 range and a fast steering adapter. (Woulda', Shoulda', Coulda')

Steve

[Tom P.]

Re: Questions about secondary front sway bar for early Vettes.

I just got off the phone with John Neas, and he said that the secondary sway bar which he has came off of the 56 Sebring race car. Also, he says the Sebring car has the A-frame brackets and the frame mounting brackets. So, when I get a chance, I'll get up to John's and take some pictures.

[Joe L.]

Re: Questions about secondary front sway bar for early Vettes.

Tom,

I believe the bar was shipped as a kit, as Mike Ernst mentioned. It likely first became available in service some time around mid/late 1962 for use on 57-62 cars. The kit included the bar, brackets and bushings.
It was shown in the parts book in group 7.241. I think it remained available through at least 1972?? but I'm not sure. It's not shown in my 1974 price book.
The part number was 3823052. (typical part number numerical value for the 63 model year)

Michael------


GM #3823052 first became available in late 1962. It was discontinued without supercession in July, 1967.

[Michael H.]

Re: Questions about secondary front sway bar for early Vettes.

Michael------


GM #3823052 first became available in late 1962. It was discontinued without supercession in July, 1967.

Joe,

Ok, I was pretty sure it first showed up in mid/late 62 but I was too lazy to look up the date that it was discontinued.

[Tom P.]

Re: Questions about secondary front sway bar for early Vettes.

It's listed (bottom listing, group 7.241) here in my 66 parts book.

[Mike E.]

Re: Questions about secondary front sway bar for early Vettes.

I think it showed up in the parts book then. It was available earlier than that to the right people, because Gulf, et. al had them at Sebring. It was also already announced in Corvette News vol. 5 no. 3.