63 Spare tire carrier

[Michael G.]

The spare tire carrier lid on one of my cars has gap between the carrier and lid at the forward edge, when it is closed with the spare in it. Is this normal? I believe the bolts are original, but I could be wrong.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 Spare tire carrier

The spare tire carrier lid on one of my cars has gap between the carrier and lid at the forward edge, when it is closed with the spare in it. Is this normal? I believe the bolts are original, but I could be wrong.

Michael,

Keep in mind should you have a original '63 bucket/lid the lip of the bucket is appximately 3/4" less than that of a '64 thru '67 bucket. You will be able to see some of the tire. The lip of the bucket was increased after the '63 model year so more of the bucket would cover the spare tire and keep debris out.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 Spare tire carrier

That's interesting, the buckets is an original 63 and the tire is visible at the front. My other 63 is tight all over, it must have a later bucket.

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 Spare tire carrier

That's interesting, the buckets is an original 63 and the tire is visible at the front. My other 63 is tight all over, it must have a later bucket.

Mike, I agree that very late 63's have the 64 to 67 tub. My April car had the normal 63 tub, my mid July 63 has the later tub.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 Spare tire carrier

Harry, my late April car has the later tub, though that car is a bit of a "brought back from the dead" example, so who knows if that is the tub it originally came with.

The November car has the early tub and I'm pretty sure its original. I lost a point last time it was judged because it was "loose", so I'm thinking "loose" means the lid was not tight against the tub. That apparently is correct, though, so I won't worry about it.