1953-55 soft top hinge area cover
In a separate thread I've been seeking information on the latches used on Plasticon hardtops for the '53-55 Corvette. That search may have revealed a surprise about my '54. Rob Musquetier in the Netherlands (Corvette C1 Registry) has been very helpful in sending me pictures of his Plasticon hardtop latches and how they attach to his car. One picture (see below) shows where a hole was drilled to accept the hook on the end of the rear latch. I compared that picture to my car and found that I might be missing the piece that had the hole drilled in it (see below). I see that same piece shown in the NCRS 1953-1955 Corvette Assembly Instruction Manual. In the drawing from the Manual (see below), the part is labeled as "3706397-8 L. & R. BRACKET BODY REAR PANEL TO MOULDING - R.H. SHOWN." There is no discussion of this part that I can find in the NCRS '53-55 Tech Info Manual and Judging Guide.
My question is: Did all '53-55 Corvettes have this piece, or was it a running change possibly made in the 1954 model year? In other words, is my car (1954 #814) missing this piece (on both sides of the car) or was my car made before the factory started installing this part?
I'm going to guess that that answer is that the part is simply missing on my car and that all '53-55 had this part on both sides of the car. Without this piece, there is an ugly gaping opening showing that is not covered by the seatback. And it's starting to look like I will need a pair of this part in order to mount the Plasticon hardtop in the intended manner.
My question is: Did all '53-55 Corvettes have this piece, or was it a running change possibly made in the 1954 model year? In other words, is my car (1954 #814) missing this piece (on both sides of the car) or was my car made before the factory started installing this part?
I'm going to guess that that answer is that the part is simply missing on my car and that all '53-55 had this part on both sides of the car. Without this piece, there is an ugly gaping opening showing that is not covered by the seatback. And it's starting to look like I will need a pair of this part in order to mount the Plasticon hardtop in the intended manner.
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