Cal-Trac Setups...

[Reggie]

There were a limited number of CalTrac traction devices made, by a member of the forum. I am starting a registry of those who purchased them. Please let me know who you are, and the description of the car you installed them on, and the results you had at the Drag Strip, in terms of reduction of Elapsed Time. This will be very helpful to me, and everyone else, especially those with cars that have 365hp chevy engines, like the one Dick Steinkamp had. In spite of having 365 hp, with Ted Harbit at the wheel, Dick's car could only run about 14.9-something. Did he put some CalTracs on, and do better? How about Bams--what has he done with his CalTracs? Please--I cannot accept anecdotal evidence(aka, BS), I need verifiable results. Thanks.

[bezhawk]

You're not a lawyer are you????

[Chicken Hawk]

There were a limited number of CalTrac traction devices made, by a member of the forum. I am starting a registry of those who purchased them. Please let me know who you are, and the description of the car you installed them on, and the results you had at the Drag Strip, in terms of reduction of Elapsed Time. This will be very helpful to me, and everyone else, especially those with cars that have 365hp chevy engines, like the one Dick Steinkamp had. In spite of having 365 hp, with Ted Harbit at the wheel, Dick's car could only run about 14.9-something. Did he put some CalTracs on, and do better? How about Bams--what has he done with his CalTracs? Please--I cannot accept anecdotal evidence(aka, BS), I need verifiable results. Thanks.

I don't remember things very well any more but I do not recall ever driving Dick's car. ??

Ted

[Studerick64]

How many other people were in Dick's car during that run?

[Alan]

Ted, That was 2006 at the Omaha meet. I have video of that. Was sitting in the stands for that meet at Mid America Raceway. Dick will have to tell you what the problems were. Gearing was one.

[Reggie]

Well, I was contacted by the legal team of a certain suspension accessory, and told NOT to discuss them, anymore. So, I've given up on the Registry idea, as well.

[Chicken Hawk]

Ted, That was 2006 at the Omaha meet. I have video of that. Was sitting in the stands for that meet at Mid America Raceway. Dick will have to tell you what the problems were. Gearing was one.

Then I did drive it? Sure don't remember it.

Ted

[sals54]

[Jerry Forrester]

Has the patent run out on the Caltrac's traction bars? I think their patent is 20 years old.
Even if it is, you can still build your own. Just don't try to sell any.

http://www.hotrodsandhemis.com/Traction.html

[Reggie]

Yes, that looks like it would be fairly easy for the accomplished DIY. I had run across that design, and wondered if anyone had used them yet, and how streetable they are insofar as noise or harsh ride, etc. That is what I was researching. But, I guess I'll just build a set for my own use, and try em out. It will be easy to reverse the modification, if they don't work.

[61Lark]

Has the patent run out on the Caltrac's traction bars?

Doesn't look like it.

https://www.google.com/patents/US6386565?dq=calvert+racing&hl=en&sa=X&ei=zIU3U8PrGuqssASRsYHIAw&sqi=2&pjf=1&ved=0CDwQ6AEwAQ

[Jerry Forrester]

But that doesn't look anything Caltrac's original design.

Doesn't look like it.
https://www.google.com/patents/US638...ed=0CDwQ6AEwAQ

[Noxnabaker]

From the early/mid 70's & forward loads of Swedish drag-racers, even street-racers, had those & I don't know if they bother buying them or making it yourself but they were always yellow-painted.
So what's the interest in this...? Really?
I can hardly imagen they were that un-usuall in the States if they were all over the country in Sweden...
(I sure wished I had spring-leafs AND THAT on my -64 Chevelle SS (with more done to the 327 than I can remember) in -79 but coil-springs... BAH! )

[SScopelli]

Has the patent run out on the Caltrac's traction bars? I think their patent is 20 years old.
Even if it is, you can still build your own. Just don't try to sell any.

http://www.hotrodsandhemis.com/Traction.html

Good point

The first patent on this design was filed by M Valerio in 1976 https://www.google.com/patents/US4098523

John Calvert, of Cal-Trac, filed a patent in 1993 https://www.google.com/patents/US5354092 claiming an "Improvement" over Valerio's design

Michael W. Kugler, of Moroso Performance filed a patent in 2000, https://www.google.com/patents/US6386565, claiming an "Improvement" over Valerio and Calvert's design

The design in http://www.hotrodsandhemis.com/Traction.html[/QUOTE] resembles Calvert's design, not Kugler's..

It would be interesting to see when the description in the hot rod's link was first published, as to note prior art, voiding Calvert's patent.

Calvert's design was issued patent on Oct 11, 1994 which will be 20 years this October..

[SScopelli]

I wonder if anyone has a patent these traction bars..