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I recently bought a '68 convertible with a new top. It doesn't have the correct mounting pins that attach to the deck. Under the deck there is a release handle but no release lever. The assembly manual shows the release lever mounted to a plate under the deck with a weld nut on the back. My mounting plate does not have a hole drilled in it nor a weld nut in the back. It looks like a factory error but can hardly believe that it has been this way since '68. Has anyone seen this and if so is there a different way to mount the release lever? I can drill the hole and probably hold a nut in place to attach a new lever but don't want to do that if there was a different way to mount it. See photo of my mty plate attached. Thanks for your reply.
Sully, would you estimate that the mounting hole on your plate is about 2.5 inches from the left edge and a half inch from the top edge? If so you answered my question. I do have a hole there but it appears that the stud is broken off in the nut and it is painted over so it didn't look like a mounting hole. It also looks like the bolt holding the lever is only about 3/16. Does that seem correct? You have really helped me solve the puzzle I think. Now I have to get that broken off stud out. Thanks a lot.
Paul, is your car a '74? You are correct, I am missing all of the release mechanism but I didn't want to buy it until I understood how to mount it. It looks like your release lever mounts about 2.5 inches from the left side and a half inch from the top edge. That answers how it is mounted. Thanks so much.
Paul, is your car a '74? You are correct, I am missing all of the release mechanism but I didn't want to buy it until I understood how to mount it. It looks like your release lever mounts about 2.5 inches from the left side and a half inch from the top edge. That answers how it is mounted. Thanks so much.
Yes it is a 1974 but all C3s are the same. I can take a closer picture if you wish. Just tell me where. It might have to wait until tomorrow.
Sully, would you estimate that the mounting hole on your plate is about 2.5 inches from the left edge and a half inch from the top edge? If so you answered my question. I do have a hole there but it appears that the stud is broken off in the nut and it is painted over so it didn't look like a mounting hole. It also looks like the bolt holding the lever is only about 3/16. Does that seem correct? You have really helped me solve the puzzle I think. Now I have to get that broken off stud out. Thanks a lot.
I just went to the garage and took a few measurements. It is approximately 2.5 " from the left edge of the mounting plate and the bolt takes a 9/16" wrench so that makes the bolt 3/8". As Paul says, it looks like you're missing a few parts.
And a very good one! I was going to take an additional pic but yours says it all. I would say that 68 Mako now has all the pics he needs, but he does need parts. Many are missing.
I bought parts to have what you guys have. I was sent two springs but can't tell from the assy drawing how they mount. The longer of the two springs mounts to the top release handle but I can't see where it connects to on the left end facing your pictures. Can one of you send me a close up picture of where that spring mounts? I am unclear where the second spring goes. Corvette Central's catalog shows it underneath the top release handle but I can't see anywhere where is would hook and the assy drawing doesn't even list springs on the picture in my assy dwg which is the same as the drawing someone sent with this thread. Any help with these springs is appreciated.
Another question, my car is a May 68 car. Turns out the top pins that latch in the deck are 3/8 inch, which is 69-75. Is there a chance this was a running change in 68? A 68 calls for a 1/4 inch pins. There is a replacement pin on the assy dwg but it doesn't give a description for me to know.
I recently bought a '68 convertible with a new top. It doesn't have the correct mounting pins that attach to the deck. Under the deck there is a release handle but no release lever. The assembly manual shows the release lever mounted to a plate under the deck with a weld nut on the back. My mounting plate does not have a hole drilled in it nor a weld nut in the back. It looks like a factory error but can hardly believe that it has been this way since '68. Has anyone seen this and if so is there a different way to mount the release lever? I can drill the hole and probably hold a nut in place to attach a new lever but don't want to do that if there was a different way to mount it. See photo of my mty plate attached. Thanks for your reply.
Here's a pic of the spring and where it connects to the release lever. I could only find one spring though. Maybe someone else can provide some info on the other one. Hope this helps.
better late than never, another handle picture. also note the 2 lower control rods are solid 1/8" steel. The upper control cables slide inside an outer sleeve, much like a lawn mower cable, which you could substitute if needed, with a bit of work.
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Convertible Top Release Mounting Plate
