By Frank Colgoni

Because of the theme of the car, I wanted to use a stock (looking) inside door handle and, as such, acquired a set of very nice Vintique reproductions.

Originally, I assumed that the hookup between the handle and the latch mechanism would be via cable. However, the handles pulls toward the front and the latch is actuated by either pulling it towards the front also or by pushing/pulling down. As such, the route of the cable would be less than direct and potentially problematic. Dream Machines came up with a solution that utilized a bell crank system versus cable.

Bell Crank According to Wikipedia:
A bell crank is a type of crank that changes motion around a 90 degree angle. The name comes from its first use, changing the vertical pull on a rope to a horizontal pull on the striker of a bell , used for calling servants in upper class British households.

In the photo above, you can see:

1. The Vintique handle which has been mounted to an angle bracket and the inner door skin (hole was required).
2. The location for the bell crank (hole was required) behind which the bell crank will sit. The handle will be connected to the bell crank by a rod.
3. The latch pull. The bell crank will be connected to the latch by a rod also.

• Dream Machines
• Vintique