Question for early 63 convertible owners Pre VIN 108307 February 6

[Stephen G.]

My car built 2/6/63 shows no evidence of ever having the wedge blocks, metal plate, and body boding all called out in the AIM. I have posted a link to some photos of the car (in red) before we began the restoration and also after it had been stripped of paint. All the bonding indicates (to me) that the rear fenders and body are all original.

Perhaps this is what they did in hardtop only cars? I've also included in this post the view of the boding from the AIM and a photo of a car with the wedge blocks, which were white when used in the 63.

Link to photos:

https://www.icloud.com/journal/#2;CAEQARoQDOL8jgh8ClwB5ZO1liZbrQ;1ED39D54-ADAA-46BE-B346-8A337D6A7AAF

[Gene M.]

Re: Question for early 63 convertible owners Pre VIN 108307 February 6

This will not answer your question but other mid years I uncovered right hand and left hand plastic guides used universal.
But If you look at the guides they are opposite hand likeness. I assume the wider section is installed farthest from the hinge.

[Nick K.]

Re: Question for early 63 convertible owners Pre VIN 108307 February 6

Better late with a response than never. My serial number is 30867S101626, October build. No hood centering guide blocks. I look for these and they are very random. I've seen '63's with none, 2 or 4 blocks. I saw an un-restored original '63 convertible this past summer in Carlisle and it was an earlier car than mine if I recollect and it had balsa wood blocks glued to the hood surrounds, one on each side. He said the car was untouched and he was the second owner. I've never seen that before. Maybe a random factory or dealer fix.

[Alan D.]

Re: Question for early 63 convertible owners Pre VIN 108307 February 6

Stephen, a little confusing for me so let's see if I'm on the right track. The AIM photo shown, view c, is from 1 sA26.00 ?
The wedges shown are at 1 sB16.00, the rear lid area, not the hood.
So if these are the subject then the AIM, view C, is the hardware which is riveted to back side of the upper rear panel of a convertible, ie part number 1 on the mentioned AIM sheet. When completed one only sees the large rivet and two holes.

Now 1 sB16.00 is where the wedge gets installed on convertibles.

Note two changes on the Lid occurred, 10-29-62 & 12-3-62, so did the earlier Lid have the wedges? (note # on wedge stuff are all listed at the end so supposed it could have been an undocumented ADD)
Going back to 1 sA26.00; changes do not seem to help however the numbers listed are again at the end and so supposed it could have been an undocumented ADD

Sorry, not much help.

[Nick K.]

Re: Question for early 63 convertible owners Pre VIN 108307 February 6

Ignore my previous post. I was thinking about hood guide blocks not deck lid blocks so my post was not relevant.

[Stephen G.]

Re: Question for early 63 convertible owners Pre VIN 108307 February 6

Thanks Nick. I found a cut up body ( I have photos ) at Kissimmee last year. It had no evidence of the blocks. This confirmed to me that some early cars just didn't have them.

Steve