61 Reinforcement rail

[William B.]

I am replacing the rear glass panels on my 61 Corvette. The old ones were so full of bondo and bad repairs that it made more sense to repair the supports and bonding strips and install new outer panels.
I have found in my restoration experience, that most parts are easily available, where as some are really hard to find. This is one of those.
When we took the rear top trunk deck off we discovered that the right side steel angle reinforcement channel for the trunk lid opening was missing. (probably a casulty of some long ago repair).
In the 61 AIM (Page A44), it is listed as a REINFORCEMENT with a part number of 3781988 LH.
I have tried all the usual suspects (Paragon, Corvette Central, etc.) with no luck.
Does anyone have one from a trashed car or does anyone know where I can find one?
These are about 16ga steel Z channels with rolled edges, riveted in and out of sight. Unless you are doing repairs or replacement of the top panel you wouldn't even know you had one.
I am not sure about the earlier cars, but these are found on 61s & 62s
Help!
Thanks,
Bill Babb

[Richard M.]

Re: 61 Reinforcement rail

Hi Bill,

I see on my 62 AIM it's in Section E sheet 2. Left is 3781987, right is 3781988.

If you cannot find one, maybe remove the opposite side and have a mirrored one fabricated at a metal fab shop? Maybe aluminum would work and be easier to fabricate?

Rich

[John H.]

Re: 61 Reinforcement rail

Have you tried Paragon Vintage? They may be able to liberate one from their "yard" collection.

[Roger W.]

Re: 61 Reinforcement rail

Try Faber Corvette
2232 North 21st Ave
Pheonix, AZ 85009
602-252-7436
Carey Faber is the owner
I was able to get part of the floor and body mount reniforcements for my 59.
Most of the places that I called previously did not even know what I was talking about. Carey understood immediately what I needed. He emailed me a picture of what he had and qoted a price.

[William B.]

Re: 61 Reinforcement rail

Thank you all for your responses. I wasn't aware of Paragon's vintage parts, and I will give Faber Corvette a call.