Gumball
09-10-2014, 12:32 PM
UPDATED - 7/20/16: Yep, another TTT for an old how-to.
Original post follows......
Although a cowl-mounted grab handle was only found on the small block cars, I really like the look. So, I reinforced my cowl during the bodywork phase and added a reproduction of the original style handle.
The rolled cowl is made using all fiberglass, with just a skim coat of filler during the final shaping. I also added some extra fiberglass behind the rolled edge. The handle mounts into an aluminum bar that is threaded to accept a pair of slotted oval-head screws.
I had to grind out the mounting surfaces on the handle to match the contour of the cowl, though, and I also made some gaskets out of rubber to help cushion them against the paint.
While it's not something I'd let a passenger use to pull themselves up out of the seat, it is surprisingly rigid.
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/IMG_20140909_2026421301_zps6150a5e9.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/IMG_20140909_2026421301_zps6150a5e9.jpg.html)
Here's a view from behind showing the aluminum mount.
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/IMG_20140315_091342829_zpsaf7e965f.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/IMG_20140315_091342829_zpsaf7e965f.jpg.html)
Original post follows......
Although a cowl-mounted grab handle was only found on the small block cars, I really like the look. So, I reinforced my cowl during the bodywork phase and added a reproduction of the original style handle.
The rolled cowl is made using all fiberglass, with just a skim coat of filler during the final shaping. I also added some extra fiberglass behind the rolled edge. The handle mounts into an aluminum bar that is threaded to accept a pair of slotted oval-head screws.
I had to grind out the mounting surfaces on the handle to match the contour of the cowl, though, and I also made some gaskets out of rubber to help cushion them against the paint.
While it's not something I'd let a passenger use to pull themselves up out of the seat, it is surprisingly rigid.
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/IMG_20140909_2026421301_zps6150a5e9.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/IMG_20140909_2026421301_zps6150a5e9.jpg.html)
Here's a view from behind showing the aluminum mount.
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/IMG_20140315_091342829_zpsaf7e965f.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/IMG_20140315_091342829_zpsaf7e965f.jpg.html)