69E corvette T top strap help
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 934
Likes: 20
From: Indianapolis Indiana
69E corvette T top strap help
I am in the slow process of removing some home made carpet in my 69 early corvette and for the first time noticed I had a pair of straps in the rear compartment. After a little research I figured out these were part of the T tops storage.
I went to my upholsterer and he said that the straps should be connected above the wheel wells and than make a Y and connect to right behind the console.
I've found pictures of later corvettes setup this way but they dont look like the straps I have. I think the 69 might be a little bit different or I am missing something significant.
My straps have clips that are connected to loops mounted on the wheel wells but the other end of the straps also seem to have the same clip/loop setup and look like they need to be mounted somewhere.
Does anyone have a picture of there 69 or relevant Vett that has this setup?
Thanks for the help
jim
I went to my upholsterer and he said that the straps should be connected above the wheel wells and than make a Y and connect to right behind the console.
I've found pictures of later corvettes setup this way but they dont look like the straps I have. I think the 69 might be a little bit different or I am missing something significant.
My straps have clips that are connected to loops mounted on the wheel wells but the other end of the straps also seem to have the same clip/loop setup and look like they need to be mounted somewhere.
Does anyone have a picture of there 69 or relevant Vett that has this setup?
Thanks for the help
jim
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 934
Likes: 20
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Well I stumbled across a diagram and found out the below picture is how the straps are to be mounted. I even found the holes. I havent figured out how this setup held in 2 t tops though. Anyone have this setup being used?
P.S. I hope this picture helps others. Not many pictures of this in use that I found with google.
p.s. It seems that my setup may have stopped in early 71. Anyone know?
jim
P.S. I hope this picture helps others. Not many pictures of this in use that I found with google.
p.s. It seems that my setup may have stopped in early 71. Anyone know?
jim
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
From: Weddington North Carolina
I am in the slow process of removing some home made carpet in my 69 early corvette and for the first time noticed I had a pair of straps in the rear compartment. After a little research I figured out these were part of the T tops storage.
I went to my upholsterer and he said that the straps should be connected above the wheel wells and than make a Y and connect to right behind the console.
I've found pictures of later corvettes setup this way but they dont look like the straps I have. I think the 69 might be a little bit different or I am missing something significant.
My straps have clips that are connected to loops mounted on the wheel wells but the other end of the straps also seem to have the same clip/loop setup and look like they need to be mounted somewhere.
Does anyone have a picture of there 69 or relevant Vett that has this setup?
Thanks for the help
jim
I went to my upholsterer and he said that the straps should be connected above the wheel wells and than make a Y and connect to right behind the console.
I've found pictures of later corvettes setup this way but they dont look like the straps I have. I think the 69 might be a little bit different or I am missing something significant.
My straps have clips that are connected to loops mounted on the wheel wells but the other end of the straps also seem to have the same clip/loop setup and look like they need to be mounted somewhere.
Does anyone have a picture of there 69 or relevant Vett that has this setup?
Thanks for the help
jim
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,159
Likes: 4,236
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
Here's a link to a thread with a picture of the 68-69 roof panel storage.
Regards,
Alan
Post #9.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...re-t-tops.html
Here's a link to a thread with a picture of the 68-69 roof panel storage.
Regards,
Alan
Post #9.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...re-t-tops.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 752
Likes: 31
From: Melbourne Australia
Hi, My 69 VIN 2185 has the two single straps like yours. Built in September 68. They work just fine.
The inboard hoops mount to the storage compartment floor in the center, not far from where they are laying in your picture.
To use them...
Fit the straps to the hoops on the wheel wells. Loosen the straps. Do not connect the lower ends yet.
Place the t-top into the storage compartment facing backwards but correct way up, so that the stainless trim on the side of the t-top is on the carpet floor and the other side is sitting on the top of the wheel well. Push the t-top onto the wheel well, away from the center of the car to expose the hoop in the floor and attach the strap. Pull to tighten. Repeat other side.
Let me know how you go.
Joe
The inboard hoops mount to the storage compartment floor in the center, not far from where they are laying in your picture.
To use them...
Fit the straps to the hoops on the wheel wells. Loosen the straps. Do not connect the lower ends yet.
Place the t-top into the storage compartment facing backwards but correct way up, so that the stainless trim on the side of the t-top is on the carpet floor and the other side is sitting on the top of the wheel well. Push the t-top onto the wheel well, away from the center of the car to expose the hoop in the floor and attach the strap. Pull to tighten. Repeat other side.
Let me know how you go.
Joe
Last edited by jyounane; Nov 6, 2014 at 08:00 PM. Reason: instructions
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 934
Likes: 20
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Wow didn't even know the clips came off the loops. Mine were frozen up. I used some pb blaster and wd 40 to loosen and clean them up. I have the feeling they may have never been used with the car. They were unscrewed from the base portion and never put back in when they did their own crazy carpet replacement.
They look pretty good now but wow, the clips are tight on the loops. Id bend them out but I am afraid they would break. I think they are the way they are supposed to be anyways. Mine are so tight i am not sure how anyone could reach back and hook them. I had to use pliers.
thanks for the pictures and explanation. Now I know how to use them.
jim
They look pretty good now but wow, the clips are tight on the loops. Id bend them out but I am afraid they would break. I think they are the way they are supposed to be anyways. Mine are so tight i am not sure how anyone could reach back and hook them. I had to use pliers.
thanks for the pictures and explanation. Now I know how to use them.
jim
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 752
Likes: 31
From: Melbourne Australia
Wow didn't even know the clips came off the loops. Mine were frozen up. I used some pb blaster and wd 40 to loosen and clean them up. I have the feeling they may have never been used with the car. They were unscrewed from the base portion and never put back in when they did their own crazy carpet replacement.
They look pretty good now but wow, the clips are tight on the loops. Id bend them out but I am afraid they would break. I think they are the way they are supposed to be anyways. Mine are so tight i am not sure how anyone could reach back and hook them. I had to use pliers.
thanks for the pictures and explanation. Now I know how to use them.
jim
They look pretty good now but wow, the clips are tight on the loops. Id bend them out but I am afraid they would break. I think they are the way they are supposed to be anyways. Mine are so tight i am not sure how anyone could reach back and hook them. I had to use pliers.
thanks for the pictures and explanation. Now I know how to use them.
jim
Joe