Front towing eye

ukmax

New Member
Hello, I'm just preparing SXE ( ex Pilkie 1968 P6 V8) for a classic car regulatory rally and I must provide an easily accessible and marked front and rear towing points. I've made and fitted the rear but the front is more of a challenge.

In the WM under the section for removal of the front lower valance (operation S-10A) reference is made to removing the front towing eye bracket if vehicle is a 3500S model. Does anyone know if this bracket and it's towing eye can be obtained and if so can it can be fitted to my earlier car?

As fabricating one should be quite easy, a photo of the bracket along with one where it is fitted would be a great help

Many thanks

David
 
Hi, There should be one welded to the front cross member, under the front of the engine not the one under the rad, thus. -
 

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Thanks for the response and for taking the trouble to post the diagram.

I do have that part welded to the crossmember but because it's welded, it can't be the one referred to in the manual which states "remove fixings securing towing eye bracket and withdraw the bracket". As it has to be removed in order for the valance to be removed, I presume it must protrude through the valance.

In fact I'm not sure that the welded eye is actually for towing because one would require the tow rope to be fixed very low down on the towing vehicle to avoid damage to the valance. I may be wrong but I think this eye may be to secure the vehicle during transportation

In any event, I can't use this welded eye because it is not easily accessible and identifiable, as required by the rally regulations.

David
 
Frankly, they seem like short-sighted regulations. It would be sensible to allow some alternative for cars like this with no easy towing point. Not that that helps your dilemma any.

Yours
Vern
 
The tow eyes that protrude through the front valance were ony fitted to nada v8 cars oand was integrated into the front bumper mounts also.
 
Thank you Clive. I see you actually have a nada V8 under restoration. Are you able to post a photo of the eye and bracket in position or do you have a parts diagram showing the part please?
David
 
Hi, I'm with Vern on this, if they are issuing requirements for something that was not fitted to all cars of the period then they will have to accept what they're given. You can as you say fabricate something or do you want a picture of one to copy?

Colin
 
The one welded to the front crossmember is just a lashing eye, not a tow point. There is a bolt on crossmember attached to the bumper irons and running under the rad.
 
Yes Harvey, I thought the welded one was was only a lashing eye.

Colin, I was hoping that there would be some holes in the base unit specifically for the mounting of the towing eye fitted on NADA cars and then, with the help of a picture, I could make the bracket and simply bolt it on. I can't see any obvious mountings holes but I don't really know where I need to look.

MSA and FIA regulations in are very strict in this respect and competing cars must have clearly marked towing points. In some classes four eyes must be fitted, one on each corner! It is a safety issue in order that a crashed or disabled car can be quickly recovered to a safe position. I would rather have eyes fitted, than be stuck in my car in a dangerous situation whilst the recovery crew messed around for ages looking for a suitable place to fix a tow line. Anyway, if they're not fitted, you don't pass scrutinering so you can't compete.

David
 
I used to be a MSA licensed Recovery operator to carry out recovery on car rallies and it was areal pain before towing eyes were made mandatory to work quickly and efficiently to remove broken down or damaged vehicles. Unfortunately some tow point that were fitted were not strong enough and I would strongly recommend that what is fitted is well up to the job as if one comes off it could kill someone!
 
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