Cal-Look T-Bars

[65bug]

Hey guys,
          Alright, if I decide to go with T-bars for my car, I have a few questions:
1. Steel or Aluminumununmn?
2. Bugpak? Empi? Any other brands?
3. Round bars or hex?
        I saw a set of Bugpack aluminum ones. They looked really nice! I like the polished aluminum ones. But I know if you can get steel ones, they will be more protection in a impact. Any special ones out there?
       IF YOU GOT PICS PLEASE POST EM!!! I may hang up[ my stock 65 bumpers for these, as my original rear one got creamed with I got hit. Just wondering if I would dig the change. And for all you weight weenies out there, how much pounds would I be saving?
      Thanks [ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ] [ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]
         

[2manytoys]

Aluminum, hex, full polish. These are almost as old as dirt. Not sure who made them,...alum vs. steel in a fender bender,..toss up on the damage. Think I would take the aluminum and save the apron/bumper mounts as much as possible. Steel will rust, alum will not.

$0.02

[65bug]

Beautiful car there! Nice job. They look great on that car! Are your quiet packs S&S? They look just like mine. And it looks like the drivers side is tucked in further then the passenger side??? Just like mine!
       The hex shape on your T-Bars looks cool too. I did not think I would like it. But it looks good. Got any front shots?
 
 Thanks again

[65bug]

Fast fab has ALL FOUR for 70.00! Just not polished............

[2manytoys]

yup old skool S&S. They actually fit pretty evenly on the drivers and pass side. It may be the angle of the dangle on the photo that makes for an optical conclusion. I will see about more pics.

[kingsburgphil]

If it matters to you the original Cal Look T-bars were made by Greg Aronson of FAT Perf. fame. He used hexagonal aluminum rod stock for the first ones and switched to round stock later on as a production item. Either of them tend to be delicate in nature and protection is really not their strong suit.

If you plan on running into things, I'd keep your stock bumpers.  Otherwise, think out side the box and surprise us with your imagination  

[65bug]

kingsburgphil,
     It's not ME I am worried about! I just got rear ended in my car by a guy. I was sitting at a red light and he plowed into the back of me. I suppose I am a little paranoid now...........................
     Thanks for the T Bar history.....................

[2manytoys]

Picture nabbed from Ed Craig at the Classic..thanks Ed.

[65bug]

Ahh! Thanks! Great looking Cal-Looker. The fronts look clean for sure. I will make a decision and act on it. Maybe we can get some more photos going on here.
 

[So.Cal.Life]

        Lets face the truth , T-bars , stock bumpers , if youre planning on  5mph.or faster protection, youre plan is allready a bad one, the idea is about no tickets right? If you go with T-bars, go aluminum , (no rust)  just make sure the welds are good , I had to tow a friend home from Carlsbad drags to Anaheim with F.A.T. T-bars ,rope and T-bars on I-5 frwy. one CHP. warning was the closest thing to a problem we had , but be clear ,I wouldnt recommend it.

[So.Cal.Life]

       That oval is bitchin, and with the wheels ,its PORN

[Rennsurfer]

My first Cal Looker that I built in '79 had really nice aluminum t-bars that I had to constantly polish 'cause they were raw. But they looked great. My current car has a set of steel ones (thanks to Jason Foster) that I painted  Zenith Blue to match the body color.

In this picture, Hector's maroon '67 has black ones... Rick's yellow '67 has polished ones, and my blue '67 has the color coded ones.


To each their own. As far as your weight question... I don't know 'cause I've never weighed my bumpers and brackets while they're off the car. I'm guessing total weight loss would be around 20-40lbs. More, if you have German bumpers and the rear inner stiffener.

[Mags]

i have some one with me to Budel and EBI
2 set Alu std
and  2set Powercoat black also Alu


Mags
47 90508914
you can see after that car

[Sarge]

i have some one with me to Budel and EBI
Alu std
and Powercoat black


Mags
47 90508914

My personal favorite!  

[Zach Gomulka]

Gotta be aluminium. It's all about weight!

If you're worried about what happens in a crash, get a Volvo

[RFbuilt]

i have some one with me to Budel and EBI
Alu std
and Powercoat black


Mags
47 90508914

My personal favorite!  

im torn, thats one of my fav shots of ur bucket sarge
except its  neck n neck with my other fav the Feb 03' HVW's cover

LOL

[cal-look 56]

If you're worried about what happens in a crash, get a Volvo

hahahha.  Thats shit is funny

[Sarge]

im torn, thats one of my fav shots of ur bucket sarge
except its  neck n neck with my other fav the Feb 03' HVW's cover

Hahahaha... your free case of beer is on the way!  With T-bars, if your
in an accident, you'll still be able to check the oil and access your red cups...
something to consider.

[RFbuilt]

hahahahaha  sarge, but if u get rear ended? ur front bumper can be the red cup  holder/table whilst u drink and wait?


oh wait.. that only happens here, where u can get stuck  because the tow truck broke  on its way HAHAHAHA

[speedwell]

here's mine , TOPLINE from the 80's , black /alu /round

[Jeff68]

On my first bug (1971 Super) I had cheap steel T-bars that I painted the color of the car.  Not long after I finished the car I rear ended a woman in a Honda that stopped in the middle of a turn.  I was probably going 5 miles per hour when I hit her bumper.  I hit the Honda with one T-Bar (Drivers side front)  as I hit her car on an angle. The T-bar that hit the bumper just folded right over and I think it bent the front apron and bumper bracket (of course). I think it made a hole in the Honda rubber bumper.  My car was damaged much more than hers. 
So in my opinion, the T-bars will not provide your car any protection.  It's pretty much about saving weight and the look if you ask me.

[kingsburgphil]

Or just make your own, no big deal.    You could be the first to have a set of Ti T-bars 

[Flow]

They look pretty cool !!! 

[neil68]

I've had the EMPI aluminum T-bars on my Beetle for six years and they still look good as new:

[DKK Ted]

FYI, Fast Fab has the hex T-bars also, great quality, have a set for my 69' from Fast Fab.

[Kaferdog]

These are Fast Fab Hex-T's

[DKK Ted]

Picture nabbed from Ed Craig at the Classic..thanks Ed.

Patrick, thats was your oval?, I'm parked in the back ground, the late model 69', nice oval!

Ted

[2manytoys]

Picture nabbed from Ed Craig at the Classic..thanks Ed.

Patrick, thats was your oval?, I'm parked in the back ground, the late model 69', nice oval!

Ted

What the Hell! You were there and didn't stop by to say "hello"?  Yup,  that is my Oval,..thanks for the compliment, I have fun with it.  Actually after I parked it, wiped it off, I was gone walking. I left the show about 12 noon because of the long drive home. I tried to do as much as I could that weekend, starting with Nicks, then the Big/little 3, bowling, Bergs, etc..etc...BTW,  I have your empi axle box still just in case those axles ever show up from the USPS, but I ain't hold'n ma breath.

[Lids]

Soemtimes I look at T-Bars and think they stick out to far, is this just me.  This is not true for all, just some.  So it must be down to who made them.

[65bug]

Hey guys,
     Those all look great! You know, I have a friend that runs a flow jet machine!!!!!!!! ONE PIECE T BARS................MOOOOHAHAHAHAHAHAHA  MOOOHAHAAHAHAHAHAAH MOOOOHAAHAHAHAHAH