Hand brake lever, early vs late

[54woody]

I know the handbrake lever on the series MM and early (cheese-grater) series II cars is a different style from the one used in later cars. Can anyone tell me if the early type lever is longer or is mounted further forward than the later model?

[stevey]

early cars have a longer lever mounted further back on the tunnel.

[54woody]

OK, that's helpful. Here are the approximate measurements I just took of my old style hand brake lever assembly:

Lever length: 13.5 inches.
Distance from toe board to front mounting bolt: 30.5 inches.
Distance from toe board to rear mounting bolt: 34.5 inches

Could someone kindly take similar measurements of the later style hand brake lever?

I'm installing a 5 speed kit in my car and the hand brake lever is interfering with the gear shift. I'm now considering my options. I'd like to keep the original style lever but it may ultimately come down to having to shorten it. Not entirely sure how hard that'd be to do with the old style lever. As a short term temporary solution, I'm wondering if a newer style lever could be installed using the existing mounting points and whether it'd provide sufficient clearance.

[philthehill]

If you want to keep your original handbrake lever - just move the handbrake lever backwards on the tunnel enough to clear the gear lever. That is what I did when I fitted the Ford gearbox to my 57 Minor. There is enough flexibility in the cable alignment to be able to do that.
The threaded end of the cable will stick through a bit further but you can always use a spacer between the cable nut
(MOSS Pt No: 311-520. ESM Pt No: HBK120).
The intention was to shorten the cables at the back end and swage a new nipple on but have never got round to it but it is possible. A good yacht chandler should be able to do that for you as they swage rigging cables all the time and if done properly will be just as safe as original.
It may be even worth considering moving the access points of the cables where they pass into the inside of the car rearwards to improve the total alignment but as always with these things you will have to suck it and see as they say in the trade.
I would consider the above to be easier than trying to shorten the early type hand brake lever (Pt No: ACA5168 or Pt No: AAA660 (MOSS)).

[simmitc]

In my late model Traveller, I found the same problem, even with the newer handbrake lever. My solution was the same as Phil's, and I moved the lever back a few inches. I did have shorter cables made to suit. I now find the lever more comfortable to use than the standard position in the other Traveller.

[54woody]

Does anyone have a good serviceable later style handbrake lever they'd like to part with?

[simmitc]

Club Spares did have some NOS, give Bryan a call.