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So my 82 CE came loaded originally with all the options including the CB radio and the V54 T Top Carrier. Sadly, all I had of the V54 option were the 4 plugs in the rear deck. Well, thanks to a great seller on Ebay and lucky timing, I got my carrier hardware today (near mint condition) and it looks great! I still wouldn't drive with these things on, but looking forward to standing out a bit at the next car show. The only shame is that there was no carrier vinyl bag, so if anyone knows if those are being reproduced or if someone is willing to part with one, please let me know! Neat fact - I didn't realize there were clips installed in the cargo area to hang the bag from when the carrier equipment was stored. Took a look in the back and sure enough, there they were.
I realize that they were designed to be "driven" with the T-tops on, but I think I would be a nervous wreck that they would either "fly off" while driving or be "scratched up / Stolen" when I got back to the car! Great find for the car shows though.
Is there any kind of "locking mechanism" that keep them from being "borrowed"....?
(I would assume there would be).... right??
Last edited by 76C3forme; Jun 23, 2016 at 11:42 PM.
I realize that they were designed to be "driven" with the T-tops on, but I think I would be a nervous wreck that they would either "fly off" while driving or be "scratched up / Stolen" when I got back to the car! Great find for the car shows though.
Is there any kind of "locking mechanism" that keep them from being "borrowed"....?
(I would assume there would be).... right??
I'm with you on that. I just don't see how it would be secure enough at highway speeds (would probably be OK in city driving under 40 MPH). As for any locking mechanism, there isn't any; just undo the straps and go. I think the intent was to use them when you needed to transport something in the cargo area while wanting to ride with the tops off. Once you got to your destination, you'd then put the tops back on.
I regularly drive mine with the tops on the V54 at 90 mph with no problems, and did so back in the day as well. I think because they're locked into the center bracket and strapped over the tabs you'd have to be going really fast before they'd come off.
I see that you've got the straps clear through the opening, you only have to insert the thick part of the straps into the opening. I forgot about this when I got mine but after wrestling with them to get them back out I remembered that it was designed to be held in place by the thick part on the end.
Interesting to see them on a CE, I've always thought that the rear window opening could be a problem with the V54.
Last edited by Illegal Vette; Jun 25, 2016 at 09:02 AM.
I regularly drive mine with the tops on the V54 at 90 mph with no problems, and did so back in the day as well. I think because they're locked into the center bracket and strapped over the tabs you'd have to be going really fast before they'd come off.
Interesting to see them on a CE, I've always thought that the rear window opening could be a problem with the V54.
Great find, congratulations! I've always thought that was a neat option. Imagine the engineering and testing that went into this option before GM signed off on it, LOL.
My 82 CE is Complete!!
