63 convertible, brace-body lock

[Steve D.]

63 AIM Sect 1 Sheet A20 shows an item labeled "brace-body lock pillar". In the attached picture of my unit, it appears that a section has ben cut out. It would be a major job to replace it since it is tied in behind the door pillars. Since it seems to be a structural piece, I assume that I should have a piece of sheet metal shaped and welded into the missing section?

Sect 1 Sheet A31 has a view of the same area, and has an item labeled "support" that appears to fit over the brace. I am missing that piece also. The closest thing that I have found in the catalogs for this piece is a metal plate described as a "luggage stop".

Comments?

Steve

[Joe C.]

Re: 63 convertible, brace-body lock

Steve:

The luggage stop is a piece of sheetmetal, non structural, that appears to be missing in your photo. Is is riveted to the upright rloor bulkhead behind the seats, is about 12" high and extends across the entire interior section behind the seats. The structural members that you speak of, are part of the birdcage, and can only be accessed by removing "fiberglass" surrounding the door lock pillar.

Joe

[Ken Edmunds]

Re: 63 convertible, brace-body lock

Most vendors have the luggage stop. It was riveted in before the body was installed. If you are doing a body off restoration you can rivet it back as per OEM. If not you can pop rivet it in place for a good functional repair.

[David D.]

Re: 63 convertible, brace-body lock

Steve, From your photo, it looks to be an early 63 car, with the tool wells. It also looks like someone trimmed the edge of the triangular shaped pieces that attach to the wheel well and luggage stop. I believe they should go straight down, at the luggage stop attachment point. As for a replacement luggage stop, I don't think anyone makes a correct 1963 repro, but I could be wrong. If I remember correctly, it is a TWO piece luggage stop, for 1963 and possibly 1964. I am sure others will correct me, if I'm wrong, but I don't think I am. Hope this helps. Dave

[Steve D.]

Not trying to beat a dead horse, but ......

The link below includes a picture of the driver side (passenger side photo above)and a copy of Sect 1 sheet A6 of the AIM. The AIM shows a Gusset (labeled), a Brace (item #1, part # 3797454), and a Support (item #12, part # 3832366). All of these pieces are topside, not underbody. The driver side photo shows the Gusset and Brace, but the Support is apparently missing. Does anyone know for sure that the "Support" (part # 3832366) is the same as the "lugggage stop" plate that is offered in the catalogs (ie Corv Central pg 115) or if it is a separate piece? It appears to me to be a separate piece.

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=1138194

[David D.]

Re: Not trying to beat a dead horse, but ......

Steve, I will try and clarify this a little better. Item 12, the 3832366 support (Corvette Central 482440) is the luggage stop, but it is riveted to item 1, 3797454. The 3797454 brace is the item that I do not think is reproduced, as it was only used on 1963 and possibly some 1964's, as I stated in my earlier post. The gusset is the triangular shaped piece, one on driver side next to the rear door pillar (as shown in your photo of the driver side rear door pillar), and a similar one on the passenger side, next to the door pillar. The 3797454 brace is attached to the 3832366 support and BOTH are riveted to the triangular shaped gussets, at each door pillar. Your photo's show you have the 3797454 brace, but a piece of it is missing, from the rear arm rest mount, to the passenger side gusset and part of the gusset has been cut off. The 3832366 support is used WITH the 3797454 brace, on a 1963. That is also one of the reasons a 1963 jack cover board is different, it is not as wide as the 64-66 jack cover board, because it needs to allow room for the 3797454 brace. If you just want to repair the area and are not concerned about factory correctness, I would suggest just removing what is left of the 3797454 brace and use a replacement 64-66 luggage stop (Corvette Central 482441). You will probably also need to use the 65-67 jack cover board. Hope I have not confused you more, or may have to turn that dead horse over, and try again. Dave

[Steve D.]

Re: Not trying to beat a dead horse, but ......

Dave

This horse is going to be tender enough to serve for Sunday dinner.

Here is the reason that I thought that the support(3832366)was a different part from the luggage stop plate __ On Sheet A6, Item 13 says "spot weld 12 to gusset and to 1 (brace 3797454) , then Sheet A31 shows the support with rivets. I assumed that meant something was being riveted to the support, but evidently not. There are notes on both A6 and A31 indicating a revision on 5/22/63. The note on A31 says "3832366 support removed", so I guess the parts changed with time. Mine is an early car with a build date in 62 so it was before the revision. So that means... who knows. One of our club members has a 65 with the interior removed, and I'm going to take a peek at the "luggage stop". Perhaps all will be clear after that.

Thanks for your help.

Steve