It sounded funny to us too, but after opening the press release, we get it. Hotchkis’ new first-gen Camaro Handle Bars are designed to tie the firewall of your Camaro into the sub-frame to create one strong unit, and are a true bolt-on. With the growing number of enthusiasts bolting on trick suspension systems, the Hotchkis Handle Bars look to be a great addition. Since we own a ’69 Camaro convertible, we expect these Hotchkis Handle Bars will be great at limiting cowl shake too.
See the press release from Hotchis below the photo.
Santa Fe Springs, Calif. (October 2009) – Take a long look at a modern Stock Car, a 1960s F1 car, and NHRA Top Fuel Funny Car or a 3,000 year old Egyptian pyramid and you’ll notice one similarity: lots of triangles. The triangle is the strongest shape in nature, so when a group of hardcore autocross racers asked Hotchkis to come up with a way to eliminate subframe flex in their First Gen Camaros, they looked to the past to define the future. The result: Hotchkis Chassis Max Handle Bars, the first tubular front suspension brace that triangulates the upper control arm pickup points to each other and the firewall for incredible rigidity, consistent driver control and handling.
First generation Camaros and Firebirds use a bolt-on style subframe that can twist and flex during hard cornering, altering suspension alignment and altering the tire contact patch, creating unpredictable handling at the limit. This problem is amplified in pro-touring style cars with sticky modern tires and high-power engines. To eliminate flex, Hotchkis to developed the Handle Bar system to tie the upper control arms to each other and then triangulate them to the firewall for maximum subframe strength and rigidity. The result is more consistent response, increased handling, and improved driver control that makes the most of any high performance suspension.
Handle Bars are CAD designed and built out of high-strength steel tubing, CNC bent brackets and laser cut gussets for easy installation and a perfect fit. All necessary hardware is included, and Handle Bars are available with a durable gloss anthracite powdercoat finish or in raw steel for those that wish to color-match their engine bay.
