History Buick Drums on Ford Backing Plates when did it start?

I have always wondered when the use of Buick drums on Ford backing plates started and why?

Oval track racers started using Buick Drums in the early 1960s however they used the Buick backing plates. The backing plate was machined to fit a Ford Spindle and the drum was machined for a Wide 5 hub. This was done to get bigger brakes on the Ford axle.

My dad read Hot Rod in the early 1960s other than stock cars he doesn't remember seeing Buick Drums.

I have a large collection of Hot Rods from the 1960s to the mid 1970s and I don't recall seeing Buick drums on any of the featured cars in that era.

I will be the first to admit just because I haven't seen it doesn't mean it didn't happen, I just tring to pin-point when it started and why anyone would give up bigger brakes.



Pete Cory at Fonda early 1960s




Ed Stevens appears to be Middletown

 

I believe they came out in 1958, so you wouldn't see them before that. They wouldn't be in the junk yards in any amount until 1960 or there about, so that is about right.

 

I suspect it happened pretty quickly after those Buicks hit the street...kind of like any other innovation, such as the small block Chevy. It doesn't take long for some enterprising person to try something new. It's fun to speculate who was the first person to use them - maybe it was some guy who worked at a Buick dealership; he was doing a brake job one day, and when holding a drum in his hands the light bulb went on over his head.

 

@Robert J. Palmer I seem to recall seeing something about using them in one of the old little magazines about a 1958 or 1959 issue. I don't recall which magazine it was. When I get a chance I'll look through some to get you a better answer.

 

Many of the Oval trackers went to the Buick Dealers and bought a complete set up.

I have always wondered why.

Oval Trackers ran the whole Buick set up drums backing plates and shoes, they wanted bigger brakes.

That is what has confused me why put the Buick drums on the Ford backing plate and give up a 1/4 of shoe.

 

Locally I remember the Buick drum appearing on the dirt track in the early '60s. Initially on the right front with a safety hub. I seem to recall as many Ford F2 backing plates as Buick.

 

Just, maybe this cool combination of parts started on the car show side of things. Then it spread to actual use on the road ?

 

My dirt modified has 'em. It was built in 1965 and was in original condition when I found it so I hafta believe it was built that way .

 

I remember my old AMT model cars would come with one chrome Buick brake drum as a car show display item.

 

I would say that the "look" and cooling trumphs the 1/4" unless you knew of the Lincoln Bendix brakes instead of of the Ford Lockhead. Rough stab off top of my head I think guys started digging deeper into inter change in the 70's and using Buick drums and backing plates maybe cause they saw them on the circle track cars?

 

That is what has confused me why put the Buick drums on the Ford backing plate and give up a 1/4 of shoe.[/QUOTE]
Rob, you did not lose any of your original FORD brake shoe. You gained a aluminum drum. Ron

 

We know the answer.
"Johnny Callaway at the wheel of the Deuce Of Spades, 1955 - El Mirage dry lake, CA" He was running Buick 90 fin drums in '55. Ron

 

I think you mean 2007 Hollywood.

 

There you have it. Gospel according to Hollywood.

 

Used open skeleton backplates & wide 5 safety hubs that accept 2-1/2" shoes on my avatar

 

That is very impressive, he was running Buick finned drums 3 years before they appeared on Buick cars. Amazing!

 

And in '58 they were 45 fin! The 90 fin drums not available until late '66. Ron

 

Buick drums are cool, but they're even cooler with these backing plates...

 

they were on a lot of modified dirt track cars in central texas in the early 70's. i'd have to think that someone connected to circle track racing was first to put them on a street driven hotrod.

 

The first street car that I saw with Buick drums was Barry Lobeck's Springfield, OH roadster in the mid/ late '70's.

It also had dirt track rear tires.

 

I would save them up and use them on all 4 corners of a build.

 

My racing partner has them on a '66 Chevelle he built with my brother in 1977. For some reason I believe he used Lincoln spindles with them up front. This guy could make/adapt anything.

 

I didn't say you were losing of the Ford shoe; you are giving up the full width of the Buick shoe and drum.

Buick Shoes are 12"x 2.5" 94.2 square inches vs the Ford's 12"x 1.75" 65.94 square inches.

By using the Buick drums on Ford baking plate, you are giving up 28.26 square inches of brake per wheel.

 

Rob, I think your math is still off. The FORD brake shoe does not get narrower when you add the Buick drum. "baking plate"???
Gotta admit even if you cannot stop as well, you look better. Ron

 

When a enterprising young hot rodder realized he needed something better to slow the car down, plus they looked good. HRP

 

this is a really good question, Id love to see evidence of a 58-64 era built car with these brakes!

 

Why? In order to deem them "traditional" and on-topic here?

 

Listen to the drum beat of the Buick aluminum drums.

 

no Brian, Im not really sure what you're getting at here, I just have an interest and respect for tradition and history.

 

Is it the size of the wheel, or offset that exposes that much finned drum?