Dash bracing
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 113
Likes: 2
From: Kingsville Md
Dash bracing
Does anyone have a picture of these two dash braces. The ones connected to the brackets on the windshield frame, #4 and #6 on the drawing. My car is a 69 conv. and doesn't have these tabs welded there. Or is this for the t-top cars? Thanks
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The 19467 in the lower left corner of the AIM title block indicates convertibles. Everything shown on that page would have been applicable for convertibles. 19437 would be coupes only. 19000 would be all 69s regardless of body style.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,214
Likes: 4,302
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi P1,
The info I have indicates the braces were installed on convertibles built in April of 1968 onward.
So???
Regards,
Alan
Hi again,
Because I'm curious I took the time to dig out an article about the braces that appeared in the Spring 1993 edition of the NCRS magazine THE RESTORER. It was written by Jim Wood.
He indicates the drawings are dated late January 1968 with revisions in Feb., Mar., and Apr.. He studied a few cars and it confirms the thought that the braces began to appear on cars in the spring of 1968. He mentions a May built car as an example.
Then it gets interesting for a moment…. he writes that the braces continued through the 69 model year. He speculates that the cowl MAY have been changed to a more rigid structure which allowed the braces to be dropped. But in fact, they're still shown in my 71 AIM. Is there any chance the cowl WAS changed and a period of no braces was tried? I'd think not.
So that really does deepen the mystery of your car with no braces.
The info I have indicates the braces were installed on convertibles built in April of 1968 onward.
So???
Regards,
Alan
Hi again,
Because I'm curious I took the time to dig out an article about the braces that appeared in the Spring 1993 edition of the NCRS magazine THE RESTORER. It was written by Jim Wood.
He indicates the drawings are dated late January 1968 with revisions in Feb., Mar., and Apr.. He studied a few cars and it confirms the thought that the braces began to appear on cars in the spring of 1968. He mentions a May built car as an example.
Then it gets interesting for a moment…. he writes that the braces continued through the 69 model year. He speculates that the cowl MAY have been changed to a more rigid structure which allowed the braces to be dropped. But in fact, they're still shown in my 71 AIM. Is there any chance the cowl WAS changed and a period of no braces was tried? I'd think not.
So that really does deepen the mystery of your car with no braces.
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 11, 2014 at 05:42 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,214
Likes: 4,302
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi pf,
What's interesting to me is while the workmanship on the 68-72 cars was frequently disappointing, I don't read about cars having left St. Louis missing parts.
So still????
Regards,
Alan
What's interesting to me is while the workmanship on the 68-72 cars was frequently disappointing, I don't read about cars having left St. Louis missing parts.
So still????
Regards,
Alan
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 971
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From: Middlesex NJ
My 69 convertible only had heat and it had all the braces like it's supposed to.
I had to relocate the lower one when installing my vintage air and do a small mod to the upper brace. You can search for my vintage air install pics about relocating my braces.
I had to relocate the lower one when installing my vintage air and do a small mod to the upper brace. You can search for my vintage air install pics about relocating my braces.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Kissimmee fl
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St. Jude Donor '07
here is a pic. of the two braces. I was not documenting the braces, so maybe not the detail you are looking for.
My car is a late Oct. 69 build with no AC. My AIM shows the page above as standard for non AC convertibles. The AC convertibles had additional bracing attached to a saddle mounted to the transmission hump.
My car is a late Oct. 69 build with no AC. My AIM shows the page above as standard for non AC convertibles. The AC convertibles had additional bracing attached to a saddle mounted to the transmission hump.
Last edited by c69vete; Mar 11, 2014 at 09:43 PM.
Burning Brakes
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Drifting
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From: Kissimmee fl
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St. Jude Donor '07
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
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Different model year. The OP has a 69. My 68 also has the braces, same as yours, but the configuration may have been another one-year-only thing for us.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Massapequa Park NY
