[croker]

I always thought, power front disc brakes where a mandatory option on BB Chevelles, is this true ?? I found a 1968 138 vin car ,,it has manual 4 wheel drum brakes ,,?? Can that be ???

 

[shovelrick]

Pretty sure it was just an option

 

[billdini]

Always an option and 67/68 Chevelles (all) that ordered optional disc brakes were 4 piston calipers. Disc on front only. I have that setup and the car stops on a dime. Some cars like my 69 Camaro SS did come standard with single piston disc brakes but our 68’s did not SS or not, drums were standard

 

[Saltherring]

Discs were standard on '69 - '72 SS Chevelles. The standard 4-wheel drum brakes on '66 - '68 SS Chevelles were horrible and very scary. GM should have never let such high powered cars out of the factory with such inadequate suspensions and brakes. Every BBC Chevelle, not to mention Buick GS, GTO and 442, should have been equipped with front disc brakes and F41 suspension. I'm guessing a lot of lives would have been saved if the company had done so.

I have built and restored many Chevrolets over the past five decades. During the last four decades the first things I have always done involve making the car safer, by rebuilding/upgrading the braking, steering and suspension.

 

[billdini]

Discs were standard on '69 - '72 SS Chevelles. The standard 4-wheel drum brakes on '66 - '68 SS Chevelles were horrible and very scary. GM should have never let such high powered cars out of the factory with such inadequate suspensions and brakes. Every BBC Chevelle, not to mention Buick GS, GTO and 442, should have been equipped with front disc brakes and F41 suspension. I'm guessing a lot of lives would have been saved if the company had done so.

I have built and restored many Chevrolets over the past five decades. During the last four decades the first things I have always done involve making the car safer, by rebuilding/upgrading the braking, steering and suspension.

We can agree to disagree. My 68 L79 with F40 suspension and 4 piston disc brakes is far from dangerous. For a matter of fact since I added Bilstein shocks, larger front sway bar and added a rear bar it will handle with the best classic street cars. Brakes are superb IMO. I agree a stock no option car would be horrible especially without power steering and power disc brakes "IF" the car ws to be used for street or track racing. We have to remember that's how the cars were and I can remember people complaining about cars with disc and PS and PB and how they had no road feel. .

 

[SSuper Dave]

I think Saltherring was condemning the drum brakes, not the discs. I agree with him.