Hand Throttle

[Mike B]

I bought a NOS hand throttle recently and went to install it in #32 this weekend. I noticed that there was still an original plastic grommet in the accerator pedal mounting point and there was still a screw in the cable bracket. I have read that some of the early cars came to the US with hand throttles, but they were removed either at the port or by the dealer. I guess it was just easier to cut the throttle cable and leave the grommet and screw behind when they removed it. Anyway, I think it is nice that is it restored to the way I believe it left the factory now.

-Mike

[hls30.com]

The DOT required the hand throttle be removed before selling the car-The throttle assembly did not have a dead man switch to disengage it in the event of an accident, meaning the engine RPM would stay as set until the car ran out of gas or the engine was destroyed.

I wouldn't mind having a hand throttle in my car, but I wouldn't hook it up to work, just to look like it did. Too much chance of having a bad accident made horribly worse-even if you don't use it-in an accident things fly around-debris could set it...

Will

[Mike B]

The DOT required the hand throttle be removed before selling the car-The throttle assembly did not have a dead man switch to disengage it in the event of an accident, meaning the engine RPM would stay as set until the car ran out of gas or the engine was destroyed.

I wouldn't mind having a hand throttle in my car, but I wouldn't hook it up to work, just to look like it did. Too much chance of having a bad accident made horribly worse-even if you don't use it-in an accident things fly around-debris could set it...

Will

Will, I don't plan to use it as some type of cruise control while driving, just to warm up the car on the all too often cold Seattle days we have up here. I don't think it would work as a cruise control anyway. It only moves my gas pedal about 1/2" right now. Not enough to even affect the RPMs yet. I think I need to adjust the pedal so there is not as much play in it first. Even after adjusted it would probably only be enough acceleration to barely keep the car moving in first gear (if someone were stupid enough to even try that), otherwise I think it would just stall out. This version of the throttle is shown in the US & Canada parts catalog and only has a range of half that of the choke. It is different than the one in the right hand drive cars, which has the full range of the choke switch (I also have a used one of those that I got from Australia).

-Mike

[hls30.com]

I have both versions of the choke plate, and hadn't even considered the half travel!

Good point!

Will

PS-two hand throttle assys.....a gnose kit.....pavlovian triggers!

[sblake01]

The roadsters had those. On my 70 SPL311, it had full travel. It was a knob that you could pull out and twist to lock it in position. I never used it while driving.

[hls30.com]

Stephen,

I have one in my roadster too-as a pull I didn't disable it, but like you, I don't use it either.

Did you register with 311.org?

Will

[sblake01]

Don't have the car anymore. I sold my 'Cheater 2-liter' (1600 block-2000 crank-rods-pistons) in 1997 and it got shipped to Japan.

[hls30.com]

Sorry, missed the "had"! I have a 70 that thinks it is a 68...

Will

[bpilati]

Where do you get the throttle cable support bracket in pic #1?

[Mike B]

Where do you get the throttle cable support bracket in pic #1?

They were welded to the underside of the cowl area at the factory. The brackets on low VIN cars are different than the bracket on later 1970's. See my post #28 in this thread for pictures of the differences. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29554&highlight=hand+throttle

I had a 3/71 parts car that didn't have a bracket, so I think they were eliminated in the US when they went to series 2 production.

-Mike

[ezzzzzzz]

HLS30, it was a pleasure meeting you and your family when you stopped in Portsmouth. Hopefully, I can get your way and buy you lunch some day. As for this lever, I've got one in my 71. It will move beyond halfway and it will raise the rpm high enough to use as a makeshift cruise control though I'd NEVER consider that. I only use it to warm the engine on cold mornings so the plugs don't load too much using the fuel enrichment lever alone. As the engine warms up the rpm rises so I find myself slowly lowering that fast idle lever. It's so old school!

[kats]

Hello Mike B,

Great work, your #32 is really the best example 1969/blue unmolsted car.

More pictures please:love:

kats