Vintage tow bar

[BrianCT]

In a recent thread on trailer hitches , GM mentioned a tow bar from the past.
I have had this one for many years and plan to modify it to mount via the inner bumper bolts on a 34 instead of clamping around the bumper. Then attach a ball receiver and it should be good for short tows. Does anyone know what the mechanism with the spring and lever was for?

 

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Years ago in the 60's I had a 53 ford I used at the drag strip. I made a couple of plates bolted to the bumper bolts hole in the frame and dropped down below the bumper. I took an A frame from an old Ford front end, cut the ends off that old perchs went through and welded a couple plates on and drilled holes for bolts to go through. Cut the ball off the other end and welded a plate on and welded a tralor hitch for the ball. It towed that 53 great back and forth from the drag strip. Walt

 

[Gary in Mozarks]

In a recent thread on trailer hitches , GM mentioned a tow bar from the past.
I have had this one for many years and plan to modify it to mount via the inner bumper bolts on a 34 instead of clamping around the bumper. Then attach a ball receiver and it should be good for short tows. Does anyone know what the mechanism with the spring and lever was for?

I have a simular tow bar but it doesn;t have the spring. Mine came from a hertz rental place back in the 60's

 

[PeteVS]

Your picture isn't too great with all the shadows from the sun being low in the sky, but I'd hamper a guess that there's some sort of damping mechanism too keep the car being towed from going into some wicked sort of oscillating. There was an article, I believe in Hot Rod Journal?, about flat towing and that sort of thing can be disastrous to both vehicles involved (tower and towee.)

 

[1931 flamingo]

Back in the 60's made up a tow bar out of a wishbone, with a few plates to attch to front frame horns on the "32, towed by my 60 impala 2 dr h/top. Those were the days.
paul in CT

 

[BrianCT]

Years ago in the 60's I had a 53 ford I used at the drag strip. I made a couple of plates bolted to the bumper bolts hole in the frame and dropped down below the bumper. I took an A frame from an old Ford front end, cut the ends off that old perchs went through and welded a couple plates on and drilled holes for bolts to go through. Cut the ball off the other end and welded a plate on and welded a tralor hitch for the ball. It towed that 53 great back and forth from the drag strip. Walt

I think you are right. naturally it came without instructions.

 

[NYfatboy]

Wow, I have the same one- it came with another part that attaches to the rear bumper of the tow car, your then slide the tounge into that part, attached with a pin.The clips go on the bumpers, then you tighten the chains. Worked great, but too little space between the cars in my opinion.