Hi Guys & Gals,

After recently having my right leg amputated “above the knee” due to bastard cancer, I find myself ready to get back to driving my beloved VW’s, and would love to find some first-hand knowledge from anyone who has fitted “Hand Controls” to either manual T3 (not type 3) or an aircooled beetle.

As both my VW’s are manual & I no-longer have the ability to operate the brake or accelerator with my right leg/foot, I will need to fit hand controls to perform these important tasks.

This is normally not such a big deal & If I was dealing with more modern cars I don’t think there would be an issue. Most modern vehicles have pedals that hinge/pivot from up under the dash, & hand controls are readily available for these, but seeing as though my T3 has the brake pivoting from under the dash, but the accelerator coming from the floor, & beetle pedals come from the floor, I think I am up for more of a “custom” arrangement.

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated, but would prefer actual experience / knowledge over hearsay, if you understand where I’m coming from.

Oh, and yes I “could” convert my T3 to auto and all would be sweet, but this isn’t really an option with my beetle.

Cheers
Brendan

Hi Brendan sorry to read that mate,I did a few conversions when I worked at the dealership but they were auto and it was a matter of fitting a l/H accelerator pedal and lins to suit. Unfortunately this isn't as easy with the manual trans,possibly a motorcycle type throttle could be modified and use the brake and clutch as they are. I am prepared to give you some help to fabricate something but it will have to be approved by the RMS or whatever they currently call them selves.
Best regards on your recovery. Les

Thanks Les, initially I am going to sell our manual Golf & get something with an auto transmission, this will get me mobile for starters....then will look at hand controls for my manual cars.
There are hand controls out there for brake & accelerator, but I think my pedal configurations will make them harder to adapt to my cars. I could be wrong as it's only early days in my research.

I may also need to vacuum boost the brakes to enable enough mechanical advantage to use my hand/arm for brake application rather than my leg. (just thinking out loud)

Thanks for the offer for help & yes will have to get whatever I work out past the RMS.

Hi

Sorry to hear about your predicament. I've seen several systems like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGPy7SkK1Qo  might be the way to go

Steve

Hey,

Sorry to hear,

I think these guys did it for a mate once...

http://auto-extras.com.au/ 

Regards
Denver

You could try a "Duck Clutch" http://www.pmeautoconversions.com.au/solutions/driving-controls/electronic-co...

This would free up you for left foot accelerator and brake.

Thanks Gents, I had been concentrating on hand controls for the brake / accelerator & hadn't goggled clutch options. Had spun the clutch hand control through the gears in my head so to speak but hadn't actually researched it.

Looks interesting.....would at least keep my foot movements the same between an auto & manual cars........excellent work

Glad that you got some helpful responses, its amazing how the body and brain can adapt, soon you will be dubbing around again which has got to be good therapy

Pretty tough deal there, Brendan, however I like your attitude.

Years ago I built a hillclimb car, with a motor-bike engine. To keep it narrow, I used only 2 pedals - brake and throttle. The clutch lever was operated with the left hand, and the gearshift [pnumatic] was by buttons on the steering wheel. Most people thought it would be hard to get used to, but it wasn't !

If you jump on a motor-bike, with a hand throttle, hand front brake, hand clutch, foot rear brake, foot gearchange, etc. your brain automatically re-pogrames without a problem. I am sure you will manage, and I wish you all the best.

Cheers, Greg

Thanks men,

Yes it is funny how you can quickly switch from car mode to bike mode without even really thinking........

This is Alex Zanardi's races set-up (legend)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WevRPJqC5Qs&list=PLtglzo-CRas2ACo2Tc-5AF7...

semi auto pan swap for the beetle?

Just had a ponder on the modified clutch route...

What if you could mount a motorcycle clutch lever to the gearshift stick? Then you could pull the clutch in at the same time you shift gears?

Would probably need some kind of pulley system to work with the existing cable setup or could run hydraulic lines with a hydraulic clutch setup?

Motorcycle clutches are multi-plate, and require a lot less pressure. The hand lever would need a very strong hand.

Motorcycle clutches are multi-plate, and require a lot less pressure. The hand lever would need a very strong hand.

Good point...

Turns out there's an electronic clutch hand actuator called a "duck clutch". Probably costs an arm and a leg though.

Hi

I'm not sure about your ability with electronic and mechanical items and such but I might give you a few ideas that I had for a friends bug, he has been a paraplegic since he was a young boy but loved his VWs and motorsprt, he used to rally a semi auto Superbug and later on a 1500 Beetle, but that's a side issue, apart from letting you know that semi autos can take a bit of abuse.

You may not be aware but the semi auto Beetle gearstick bends very slightly when touched, it has contact points similar to ignition contact points.

What I was thinking was to have a servo like a wiper motor or even the semi auto vacuum servo operated by semi auto gear stick, when you touch it, it would disengage the clutch, then when you let go of the gear stick the clutch would re-engage.

The trick would be to have the servo releasing slowly for a smooth take off but releasing quickly enough for on the move gear changes with out slipping the clutch, I thought maybe a speed sensor to sense if the car were moving or not.

Maybe someone else could chime in on this idea.

Steve

Servo unit

Hi Brendan. Have you had an Occupational Therapist driving assessment? Most states require someone who has had an amputation to see an OT whi will conduct a driving assessment. Most OTs that do this also provide advice and assistance in getting back to driving, including recommending and sourcing of aids to make your driving safe for yourself and other road users. Many people see OT driving assessments in a negative aspect, that they are trying to take away your licence, but usually they are just trying to help you get back to driving. Even of you don't need an assessment, seeking out an OT who specialises in theis area can help you save time and effort in seeking solutions by yourself.

Thanks mate, yes seeing the OT for this is next on my list, as I am now ready to look at starting to drive again.

all of our cars are manual, mk3 golf, T3 caravelle, 72beetle. and they would stay that way if I had my way, but wifey is insisting on trading the golf for an auto. This will get me going pretty quickly once I find the right car.

My real concern is the different pedal design in my older cars especially my beetle, and was really trying to find someone that may have already been through this on a beetle, just to get some more specific info on how they fitted it up to the pedals etc.
I find sometimes it's better to be armed with a bit of your own research information when it comes to dealing with these great old cars.

Cheers
Brendan