Hi guys, I was just wondering if anyone has had, heard, or seen anyone running a hand operated throttle setup in there rod. Similar to what a boat would run. Pics would be appreciated. Thanks, -J
Who me??? NEVER!!!! Ha Ha...but mine wasn't so much like a BOAT... ...it was more like "fly by wire"...!!!
i actually worked on a `46 ford that had all hand controls. the trottle was on the right of the column with a motorcylce type control (it returned to idle when you took your hand off it) mounted on a lever . push the lever down and it was the brake i think most boat throttle controls don't return to idle when you take your hand off it , and you have to pull them back...that might be kinda dangerous
Well I guess I didn't mean "exactly" like a boat throttle, obviously it would need a return of some sort so it isn't to shaky to drive. I have been thinking about running it in my truck since there is limited foot space on the floor, and I almost feel that having the gas and brake so close it might be more dangerous than a hand throttle.
I worked on a restored '40 Buick that had a second throttle cable attached to a pull out lever. It was a (very)primitive cruise control. It seemed like a bad idea because you couldn't quickly and easily return it to idle if an emergency situation came up.
My girlfriends old man has a 28 chevy sedan that used to run a hand operated throttle. It's channeled so low over the frame there isn't much room to put a throttle pedal in. Before he made room for the throttle pedal he was running a choke cable to the throttle linkage. It was pretty wierd...but it did have it's benefits, crude cruise control!
motorcycle type throttle, hand operated brake lever set up where a floor shifter would be. Did one for a guy who had limited use of his legs. One concession was the use of a 'neckerknob' on the steering wheel. About a 11 to 1 ratio on the brake pedal, pushing forward. Trouble with hand controls is, if you don't 'need' them, your natural reactions take over (like trying to stuff your foot through the floorboard to stop). Other than that, they are handy as hell in cramped quarters.
I am disabled and have been using hand controls for throttle and brake for 19 years..."normal" people can drive it too. Works slick! Frank
There was a picture in Rolls and Pleats of a little roadster that had a hand controled throttle. Jan-Feb-Mar 2006 issue. page 15
I bet yours isn't a string thru the firewall though. Seriously, perhaps you could take a few photos and post so these guys could get a few ideas.
HA HA...this is an awesome post! I completely sheared off my gas pedal this year on the way back from a cruise about 15 miles away....don't ask how. Anyway, it was late and I didn't feel like letting my truck sit in a parking lot overnight, so I hit up a Rite Aid and they sold picture hanging wire...pretty similiar to throttle cable. After a complex series of knots, I had a hand throttle to limp me home. I did a few miles of this on the highway and thought this would be a kick ass setup to do just for fun...only do it not as hokey......kind of like a boat throttle but with a pretty heavy duty return spring to bring it back to idle when you let off. I'm glad this was brought up, because I haven't completely thrown this idea out yet and am still half ass engineering a way to do this and make it look cool.
Hey there, I used o build custom JEEPS, I had a bicycle hand lever attatched to my throttle linkage as well as the foot linkage. It allowed me to use both feet for riding the clutch and holding the break when Rock Crawling. I know a few guys who used bicycle shifter handles because they had a step to them and would hold in place. All of these were mounted to the shifter lever in manual shift jeeps.
Not only did the Model A's (and T's) have hand throttles, but I believe that they were on the later V8 Fords as well.... My "mostly" stock A has one, (now disconnected due to a later Ford engine install) and I've driven with it as a "cruise control"...It works well....
A stock 1940 Ford had a throttle knob by the headlight switch. It worked a cable on the left side of the throttle butterfly shaft on the Model 94 carbs.
I saw a TV report once on the famous Indy Car driver that lost his legs in a crash. Sorry I can't remember his name. Anyway, he was racing again in a specially set up car. For his throttle he had a hoop that was the same size as the inner diameter of the steering wheel. It was mounted behind the wheel. He pulled it forward towards the wheel to go. This way he could grab it with either hand, and when he let go it had a return spring to pull itself away from the wheel. It reminded me a little of the throttle lever on self propeled lawnmowers. Once he had it pulled in it wasn't a nusicence to hang onto. Also, if limited leg room is your problem his crew had mounted the clutch in the form of a button on top of his shift knob. He used a prosthetic leg to push the brake. Pretty amazing guy.
I have a buddy that has had dozens of hot rods that were fitted with hand controls. He's been in a wheel chair as long as I've known him.
It was heavy gauge WIRE with TWO return springs used to drive the car ONE final time...just for the record, ya know.
This doesn't really count, but one time I broke the throttle on my old coupe so I tied a wire on the carb linkage and drove it home that way using my left arm out the window. I soon realized how uncoordinated I was with my left hand and also how touchy that hemi was (didn't like to idle cold). Good thing I wasn't too far from home.
A pic, not due to limited space though: full page at: http://www.artrodfoundation.com/art_rod_-_the_car.htm Also, FDR drove with special hand controls because of his paralysis from polio.
I think the ultimate setup was that Joystick used to drive the "Pink Panther" show car. Drive the car from either seat with 1 hand holding the joystick anywhere you wanted to. It would be much easier to do the same thing today. Even do it wireless. Wish I had a pic.
Model 'T's were hand throttle only from the factory, so there's millions of cars that have been built without foot throttles, and a lot of those 'T's got hopped up some- they really were the first hot rods. There was an accessory foot pedal available as an aftermarket piece if you were 'weird'.
I sold a nice galaxy to a neighbor that had limited use of his legs, when he bought he asked if I would put a hand control kit in it for him. It wasn't a fancy thing but it worked good. So he used to go to the track here and they wouldn't let him race it because of his legs. So he used to take me with him and I'd race it using the hand lever. Made a slow car a lot more fun!
My car is set up with hand controls push down to brake and twist grip for gas, Just like a motorcycle and you can use the pedals if someone else needs to drive.I just transfer from my wheel chair to the car seat.I like the set up of the car you posted with the ramp so you just stay in your chair but than you need wheel chair locks.I have only been disabled for two years.And boy does it make it fun to work on you hot rod addes a whole new mean to thing being out of reach.My 47 plymouth came stock with a dash mounted throttle just like a cruise control.I think you can only use hand controls if you are disabled you have to check your state laws they mark it right on you license.
55/57 Chevy pickups had the dash throttle too. Mostly worked to warm up the truck on those -0 mornings or use as a cruise control. Back in the early 70's we had a guy around here that used to set up cars with the push button tranny and hand controls and a roll cage. (He had no legs). Then he'd take them out and flip them at speed for fun and go do another one. Did it like 6 times before I left for the NAVY. Never did hear if he ever finally managed to kill himself but he had fun trying.
Not hand controls like some handicapped cars have, but a dash throttle. NO, it's noot a choke. It has a choke knob, too. Apparently it was a high end accessory because I haven't seen any other 49-52 CHevys with one
This roadster claims to have working throttle controls like an airplane. Is this kind of what you're talking about? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300037694080
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