Yup, mechanical brakes werre the norm. And Ford had them until 1939. They were either cable or rod actuated, nortorious for being in constant need of adjustment. Plus most cars up to the mid to late 1920's had brakes only on the rear wheels. The first Chrysler in 1924 not only had hydraulic brakes, but hydraulic brakes on all four wheels! Bill Vancouver, BC ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark McDonald" <tomswift@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2003 2:04 PM Subject: Re: IML: Please Welcome ken allison > Let me ask a stupid question (if you don't ask, you never learn). > > What kind of brakes did cars have before hydraulic brakes? Pure old muscle > (i.e., mechanical brakes)? > > Matk > > Dave Duricy wrote: > > > Ken, > > > > Hydraulic brakes where a Chrysler hallmark ever since the first Chrysler > > debuted for 1924. > > > > Your majestic 1928 Imperial came with hydraulic brakes new. > > > > Dave Duricy > > http://www.duricy.com > > > > At 10:10 AM 6/22/03 -0500, you wrote: > > >New Subscriber(s): ken allison > > >Email Address is: muleman2470@xxxxxxx > > >Member Location: denver colorado > > > > > >Car(s) owned: 1928 L 80 > > > > > >Self-Introduction: I BOUGHT CAR TO RESTORE I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT AS > > >ORIGINAL AS POSSABLE THE CAR IS A 1928 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL L80 2 DOOR SEDAN > > >THE CAR IS FAIRLY COMPLETE AND RUST FREE SOME ONE HAS CONVERTED THE BRAKE > > >SYSTEM TO HYDROLIC IT LOOKSLIKE WITH A KIT MADE FOR THE CAR THE WHEELS ARE > > >WOODEN SPOKE WITH EXTERNAL BANDS WITCH LOOKS LIKE POSSABLE A MECHANICAL > > >LINKAGE WAS REPLACED WITH HYDROLIC WHEEL CYLENDERS MADE FOR THIS APPLICATION > > >I WOULD LIKE TO FIND INFORMATION AND PICTURES OR ILLISTRATIONS ABOUT THE > > >CHASSI AND ENGINE ASSORYS AND HOW THEY WORK AND HOOK UP > > > > > >