'71 Roof Panel Stowage Strap Original?

[Mark H.]

I was looking under the rear storage compartment trays and found this.

Hope it's the original.

On the release buckle is a stamp that I've seen on parachutes from my Special Forces days back in the '80s.

IRVIN Parachute Company? Guess that could make sense since it's nylon webbing.

Rear brackets intact. Front bracket may be hidden under carpet. Searching... Bags are MIA.

Mark

[Randy C.]

Re: '71 Roof Panel Stowage Strap Original?

Good find! Your strap looks exactly like mine, including the markiing. I'd say there is a very high liklihood it is original.

Randy C.

'71 350/270 L48 Coupe
Mille Miglia Red, THM, 3.36 rear, standard replacement exhaust, standard replacement black interior, A/C, PS, PB, PW, T/T, 123K miles, as close to numbers-correct as I can get it

[Mark H.]

Re: '71 Roof Panel Stowage Strap Original?

Thanx Randy,

Looking for the front strap hanger. Measuring according to the '71 Assembly Manual. 2.25 inches down from top of seat back reinforcement on center line.

Mark

[Mark H.]

Re: '71 Roof Panel Stowage Strap Original?

No strap hanger (u-bracket) for the front.

The tapping plate is there, but it has no holes in the 2 round flat spots for the spacers that the screws should thread into that attach the hanger.

Possible it never had a front hanger installed???

[Alan S.]

Re: '71 Roof Panel Stowage Strap Original?

Hi Mark,
Perhaps the 2 "flat spots" you're feeling are the rivets for the mounting plate for the' footman loop' screws. The holes are just outboard of the rivets.
Your straps look nice!
Regards,
Alan

[Mark H.]

Re: '71 Roof Panel Stowage Strap Original?

Alan,

Right you are. (Huge Surprise!) LOL I was doing it blind by reaching up under the carpet after removing the PB console.

I feel the raggedy holes just outboard of the rivets now. Guess I need a hanger.

Thought I might get lucky and it would be under the back of the front carpet or something. No Luck.

At least I have the important stuff. You're the best.

Mark

[Mark H.]

Re: '71 Roof Panel Stowage Strap Original?

Strap Hanger on the way. Paragon and Corvette Central both have 'em for under $3. Good enough for this '71 anyway.


So glad the original strap was under the storage compartments and the 2 back hangers were still in place. !!!

[Alan S.]

Re: '71 Roof Panel Stowage Strap Original?

Hi Mark,
The 3 footman loops each had 2 'spacers', (1 on each screw, with a part # no less), that held the 'loop' away from the carpet as you tighten the screws. If the spacers aren't there, the 'loop' gets pulled down into the carpet, and tight against the underbody and seat bulkhead. Then you can't get the strap clips into the 'loops.
I'd think this has to be one of the most ' just disappeared' parts on our cars!
STILL having big FUN!
Regards,
Alan

[Randy C.]

Re: '71 Roof Panel Stowage Strap Original?

I agree with you, Alan, about this being one of the most "just disappeared" parts. I was fortunate as mine was there when I bought the car at 4 months shy of 8 years old, but the original screws and spacers were gone and it was held loosely in place by a couple of sheet metal screws. The glove box liner and light were gone, the tray above the jack was gone, the foam pad for the battery door frame was gone, and the tray for the rear window was gone. A previous owner had dismantled the interior, painted the panels gloss black, lined the back part of the interior with tin foil (for CB radio reception) and put everything else together again with more sheet metal screws. It's just hard for me to understand why someone would do such a shabby job but, then again, I'm sure that previous owner was quite proud of his work!

Randy C.