C2 Deck Lid Rubber Pads

[Phillip M.]

At our last chapter judging meet I was helping judge C2 interiors and while judging a professionally restored '66 convertible came across something new (to me). Under the deck lid were two black rubber pads each approx. 1" square by 3/16" thick glued to the bottom of the lid. These were located directly across from where the front top locating pins are on a folded top. So, intent is to cushion the pins from directly contacting the bottom of the lid. I started researching this and could not find any reference for these pads being present on my '67, including not being called out in the '67 AIM or NCRS JG. So, question is, should these pads be on all C2's or just certain years?

[James W.]

Re: C2 Deck Lid Rubber Pads

Phillip,

Here is a picture of a late production 1965 Corvette 22,xxx that has original "anti-rattle" pads on the underside of the deck lid as you described. They were removed during restoration of the car and then reinstalled for flight judging.

Regards,

James West

At our last chapter judging meet I was helping judge C2 interiors and while judging a professionally restored '66 convertible came across something new (to me). Under the deck lid were two black rubber pads each approx. 1" square by 3/16" thick glued to the bottom of the lid. These were located directly across from where the front top locating pins are on a folded top. So, intent is to cushion the pins from directly contacting the bottom of the lid. I started researching this and could not find any reference for these pads being present on my '67, including not being called out in the '67 AIM or NCRS JG. So, question is, should these pads be on all C2's or just certain years?

[Tom G.]

Re: C2 Deck Lid Rubber Pads

Hi Phillip
My 65 had these squares installed when I bought the car used. My squares were more of a 1 inch cube glued right over the front latches. Most likely to prevent the latches from rattling. The cubes were not rubber but more of a closed cell foam. I never could find any documentation on them. Not in the A.I.M. Perhaps they were dealer installed to satisfy customer complaints of rattles.

[Jim D.]

Re: C2 Deck Lid Rubber Pads

Interesting thread. I had to go out and look at mine. 1965 May build 16,7XX. No pads, no trace of adhesive or of anything ever being installed. Both of those areas have a small spot of missing paint where the conv. top pins obviously hit the deck lid. The spots of missing paint exactly match the chip in the pic. posted by J.W. above

[Tom G.]

Re: C2 Deck Lid Rubber Pads

Jim,, My 'cubes' were not painted. Must have been added after body paint. My car is a late January build. Maybe somewhere along the line there's a technical bulletin that addresses rattles.

[Tom G.]

Re: C2 Deck Lid Rubber Pads

James, My pads looked just like yours. Same color,,,same material,,same location.

[Jim D.]

Re: C2 Deck Lid Rubber Pads

A technical bulletin would certainly clear things up. I agree that the pads were to stop the latch from rattling, not to prevent the pin from hitting the deck lid. The pic. above with the pad has the chipped paint from the pin just like mine without pads.

[Jim D.]

Re: C2 Deck Lid Rubber Pads

They're described with a photo in the new 1965 TIM&JG as being present at least up to mid-production.

The Judging Guide also states they are to protect the deck lid from contact with the hinge area of the folded conv. top.
The "hinge area of the conv. top" is not even close to that portion of the deck lid. I'll add that info. to my list of other inaccuracies (and there are several) of the new and improved 65 Judging Guide.

P.S. The previous edition of the 1965 Judging Guide states that the pads are "often" used to prevent the latch from rattling. At least that statement is more accurate than the revised version.

[Phillip M.]

Re: C2 Deck Lid Rubber Pads

Thanks for the comments guys. It's interesting to learn that these pads are noted in the '65 judging guide, but definitely not in my '67 JG. In discussions with a couple of C2 owners they also speculated that maybe these were added by the dealer as a technical bulletin to address a problem (rattling).
So, I guess bottom line is to not judge for lack of presence of these pads if not specifically called out in the JG.
Phil M.

[Tom G.]

Re: C2 Deck Lid Rubber Pads

Phil, It would be interesting to know if earlier C2 (63/64)cars had these pads. Anyone care to chime in.

[Jim S.]

Re: C2 Deck Lid Rubber Pads

Here are the 'glue remains on a early January 65 car before it was restored and the foam cubes replaced.

[Jim D.]

Re: C2 Deck Lid Rubber Pads

Odd that yours were installed in a different position than J.W.'s. I think that makes it more likely that they were installed someplace other than on the assembly line.

[Harry S.]

Re: C2 Deck Lid Rubber Pads

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?77534-65-deck-lid-cushions&highlight=decklid+pads

[Jim S.]

Re: C2 Deck Lid Rubber Pads

Odd that yours were installed in a different position than J.W.'s. I think that makes it more likely that they were installed someplace other than on the assembly line.

Notice where there are 'marks' on J.W's photo from the latch hitting the deck lid. Right where my foam was positioned.

[Jim D.]

Re: C2 Deck Lid Rubber Pads

Notice where there are 'marks' on J.W's photo from the latch hitting the deck lid. Right where my foam was positioned.

That made me look at mine again. I have no pads or traces of adhesive in either places, no marks where yours are and the only marks I have are in exactly the same place as J.W.'s pic and those are from the pins. Mine is a 29K mile car and the original paint under the deck lid is still perfect.
I think the link that Harry posted (thanks Harry) sums up the fact that those pads were a fix installed by the dealer and no cars left the factory with them or the pads would certainly have been in the A.I.M.