C1 Spare tire cover - need help

[Wes P.]

Hi,

Need help from a C1 expert. I have a spare tire cover that looks original to my '59. It has two stickers - jacking instructions on the right rear and what I think was instructions for the posi-track on the left rear, although it's mostly torn away. I know this board was in the car when we brought it home in 1973. The board does not, however, have a finger hole. My question would be: Did they all have finger holes, or was mine most likely replaced with an imposter all those years ago?
Thanks for any help you can provide.

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 Spare tire cover - need help

By finger hole, are you referring to the hole in the center with a metal cup that is attached with 3 screws, or the notch on the edge for the trunk latch?

[Wes P.]

Re: C1 Spare tire cover - need help

Neither. A guy was looking at mine and told me it couldn't be original since there was no finger hole, by which - I assume - one inserts their finger to lift to board out. In the Corvette Central catalogue, P-138, they show a drawing of their aftermarket board and it has a finger hole. But, their drawing also depicts a 61-62 and mine is a 59. Therefore, I don't know the answer.

[Joe M.]

Re: C1 Spare tire cover - need help

The finger hole started when the tail end was changed in 1961. With the lengthened tail, the board no longer interfered with the trunk latch and instead of a crude cutout, a finger hole took its place.

[Wes P.]

Re: C1 Spare tire cover - need help

That makes sense. Thanks for helping guys.

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 Spare tire cover - need help

Wes,
Your board should have a hole in the center with a metal cup in the center that is attached with 3 screws. The metal cup has a hole in the center which the long retaining bolt passes through and screws into a bracket on the rear cross member.
There should also be a notch for the trunk latch. That's all. Sounds like yours COULD BE original.
If in fact yours is original, I'd put it away and buy a repo trunk board and decals for daily use.

[Wes P.]

Re: C1 Spare tire cover - need help

Thanks Tom,

Mine does have the center hole with the metal insert. No problem there. Appreciate all the help.

Wes

[John S.]

Re: C1 Spare tire cover - need help

The finger hole started when the tail end was changed in 1961. With the lengthened tail, the board no longer interfered with the trunk latch and instead of a crude cutout, a finger hole took its place.

with the exception of cars with the 5.5" rims. these cars still have a cut out area for clearance.

[Jerry B.]

Re: C1 Spare tire cover - need help

I Belive The Metal Center Piece Has A Marker's Mark. Would Someone Chime In !!!'

[Joe M.]

Re: C1 Spare tire cover - need help

Yes Jerry, there is a manufacturer's mark shaped like a squeezed capital G.