rear window storage tray
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg FL
rear window storage tray
My car is missing the rear window storage tray. I can see the rear brackets which are riveted onto the rear wall of the rear storage compartment, but no tray. I purchased one here on the forum and cleaned it up. When I tried to install it I could see that the tray was four or five inches or so too narrow to line up with my car's brackets. Leading me to believe that the tray I bought (which I believe the seller said he pulled out of a 72) is not interchangable with the one I would need for a 1970. Does anyone know if that is the case? If so, what year(s) will interchange on a 1970? I could try to move the brackets on my car, but that seems like a real challenge, and I'm really trying to keep the car original (though I'm not going NCRS or anything so a minor modification which really cannot be seen probably wouldn't be a big deal if it's not too much of a job to move the brackets.
Thanks in advance for your advice/thoughts.
Thanks in advance for your advice/thoughts.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: CORTLANDT MANOR NY
The 70 style is pressed cardboard and it is different in size and in latching mechanism. I made the same mistake as you did and purchased one off Ebay which came out of a 71 or 72. It latches with a button type latch which is different from the 70 style which is a spring steel handle.
I installed the later model shelf but couldn't use the earlier model latching mechanism. So I Bubba'd it. I so much hated to do it but I needed to close the shelf so it was usable. I attached a window lock that was used on the old style windows and it works fine. The lock is mounted to the top of the rear compartment and you turn it to catch and lock the shelf. I believe it cost me about $0.88 at Home Depot.
I have since purchased a correct storage tray but have yet to install it. The correct tray is pressed cardboard and is not as well built as the later tray and it is such a PIA to crawl into that confined space to attach the hinges that I moved it way way down the priority list. It may be the last thing I do if I ever have the car judged by NCRS.
I installed the later model shelf but couldn't use the earlier model latching mechanism. So I Bubba'd it. I so much hated to do it but I needed to close the shelf so it was usable. I attached a window lock that was used on the old style windows and it works fine. The lock is mounted to the top of the rear compartment and you turn it to catch and lock the shelf. I believe it cost me about $0.88 at Home Depot.
I have since purchased a correct storage tray but have yet to install it. The correct tray is pressed cardboard and is not as well built as the later tray and it is such a PIA to crawl into that confined space to attach the hinges that I moved it way way down the priority list. It may be the last thing I do if I ever have the car judged by NCRS.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
That is exactly right. There are two distinct types of rear window storage trays. The '68 thru early '71 use a cardboard (fiberboard) style with black flocking (like in the storage well trays) and the tray has open slits thru it, as well as rubber coated latches on each side to secure the rear window from moving around while stored in tray.
The '71, '72 style tray is fiberglass, it has a rubber coated press fit bracket at the middle back edge to secure the window when stored in tray, it also uses the same style button lock as the rear storage wells used.
The brackets to attach these two styles of window storage trays are around five inches apart in their respective locations where they are attached to the rear bulkhead. These trays can be found at Bloomington and Carlisle swap meets pretty regularly, and occassionally on e-bay as well.
The '71, '72 style tray is fiberglass, it has a rubber coated press fit bracket at the middle back edge to secure the window when stored in tray, it also uses the same style button lock as the rear storage wells used.
The brackets to attach these two styles of window storage trays are around five inches apart in their respective locations where they are attached to the rear bulkhead. These trays can be found at Bloomington and Carlisle swap meets pretty regularly, and occassionally on e-bay as well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Originally Posted by lostpatrolman
I believe there are 2 different styles. The early ones are pressed cardboard, the later ones I believe are plastic. I am not sure what style the 70 is supposed to be.
Im hoping when my car arrives it has the storage tray...cause I don't want to have to find one and then ship it back to Australia!
Last edited by cosmicvette; Jun 9, 2005 at 12:41 AM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by early shark
That is exactly right. There are two distinct types of rear window storage trays. The '68 thru early '71 use a cardboard (fiberboard) style with black flocking (like in the storage well trays) and the tray has open slits thru it, as well as rubber coated latches on each side to secure the rear window from moving around while stored in tray.
The '71, '72 style tray is fiberglass, it has a rubber coated press fit bracket at the middle back edge to secure the window when stored in tray, it also uses the same style button lock as the rear storage wells used....
The '71, '72 style tray is fiberglass, it has a rubber coated press fit bracket at the middle back edge to secure the window when stored in tray, it also uses the same style button lock as the rear storage wells used....
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg FL
Thanks to all of you. I might try to find the correct one, or if I get a wild hair maybe I'll try to make the later version fit my car. I'll take another look this weekend and see how hard it looks.
I'll try to measure the distance between the brackets this weekend and post the distance for my car (which takes the early tray) and the later tray I purchased, unless I see that someone has already posted the info.
I'll try to measure the distance between the brackets this weekend and post the distance for my car (which takes the early tray) and the later tray I purchased, unless I see that someone has already posted the info.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: CORTLANDT MANOR NY
The latter tray and the earlier tray can use the same brackets. I know I used the earlier brackets that were on my car to mount the later tray that I purchased. The distance is the same for both.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Originally Posted by early shark
There are two distinct types of rear window storage trays. The '68 thru early '71 use a cardboard (fiberboard) style.
The '71, '72 style tray is fiberglass
The '71, '72 style tray is fiberglass
Someone on the forum informed me a while back...so which is correct? up to early 70 or up to early 71?
As Id like to purchase the correct one.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 38
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From: St. Petersburg FL
Originally Posted by BUGGSY1970
The latter tray and the earlier tray can use the same brackets. I know I used the earlier brackets that were on my car to mount the later tray that I purchased. The distance is the same for both.
I'm wondering if your car is set up different than mine (by the way mine's a feb 70 build date so I guess it's an early 70). The brackets on my car are at least 2 inches too wide on each side to mount up to the later model tray. I'm not sure if I can move the brackets without substantial work. They are riveted to the back of the storage area. Also, I'd be afraid to drill any new holes because I'm not sure what is behind the storage area. Do you know if there is enough room to drill new holes for new rivets? Or am I going to hit something (like the gas tank)?
Last edited by vettelawyer; Jun 10, 2005 at 10:00 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
The correct trays for both applications are not that hard to locate or purchase. I would not go thru the work to change mounting positions and re-rivet the brackets.
You should be able to pick up the correct tray for around $40, I have seen many at both Bloomington and Carlisle meets.
You should be able to pick up the correct tray for around $40, I have seen many at both Bloomington and Carlisle meets.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg FL
Originally Posted by early shark
The correct trays for both applications are not that hard to locate or purchase. I would not go thru the work to change mounting positions and re-rivet the brackets.
You should be able to pick up the correct tray for around $40, I have seen many at both Bloomington and Carlisle meets.
You should be able to pick up the correct tray for around $40, I have seen many at both Bloomington and Carlisle meets.
Thanks.
That's what I'll try to do.
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth, VA
That is exactly right. There are two distinct types of rear window storage trays. The '68 thru early '71 use a cardboard (fiberboard) style with black flocking (like in the storage well trays) and the tray has open slits thru it, as well as rubber coated latches on each side to secure the rear window from moving around while stored in tray.
The '71, '72 style tray is fiberglass, it has a rubber coated press fit bracket at the middle back edge to secure the window when stored in tray, it also uses the same style button lock as the rear storage wells used.
The brackets to attach these two styles of window storage trays are around five inches apart in their respective locations where they are attached to the rear bulkhead. These trays can be found at Bloomington and Carlisle swap meets pretty regularly, and occassionally on e-bay as well.
The '71, '72 style tray is fiberglass, it has a rubber coated press fit bracket at the middle back edge to secure the window when stored in tray, it also uses the same style button lock as the rear storage wells used.
The brackets to attach these two styles of window storage trays are around five inches apart in their respective locations where they are attached to the rear bulkhead. These trays can be found at Bloomington and Carlisle swap meets pretty regularly, and occassionally on e-bay as well.
Perhaps someone can tell me what the three rubber buttons (left, center, right) on the rear bulkhead are for? Can't seem to find anything in the manual. They're stand maybe 1/2" proud to the surface of the bulkhead and are perhaps 1" in diameter. Perhaps they're there to hold up the carpet against the bulkhead?
Thanks!
r
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Hello. I've got a '70 coupe, and am wrestling with tray issues as well. I've got the fiberglass tray, with a too narrow footprint to work with the brackets as installed. However the brackets in my car are bolted, not riveted. So I turned the brackets around and now have the following dimensions to work with: distance between pivots on the tray is 37 1/2" and the distance on the turned around bracket is 39". Using some plastic bushings and slightly longer 1/4" bolts I'm able to suspend it just fine. what I DO need to figure out is a striker plate for the catch (my tray has the push-button type release). I'm hoping to find one or will have to fabricate one.
Perhaps someone can tell me what the three rubber buttons (left, center, right) on the rear bulkhead are for? Can't seem to find anything in the manual. They're stand maybe 1/2" proud to the surface of the bulkhead and are perhaps 1" in diameter. Perhaps they're there to hold up the carpet against the bulkhead?
Thanks!
r
Perhaps someone can tell me what the three rubber buttons (left, center, right) on the rear bulkhead are for? Can't seem to find anything in the manual. They're stand maybe 1/2" proud to the surface of the bulkhead and are perhaps 1" in diameter. Perhaps they're there to hold up the carpet against the bulkhead?
Thanks!
r
But to answer your question, those hold the rear carpet riser part in place
M
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth, VA
Thank you Mooser. I'm a newcomer to the forum so haven't quite figured out all the pieces. So the "buttons" that hold up the carpet to the bulkhead....these are in lieu of contact cement?...and am I correct holes are drilled in the carpet to accommodate the "buttons?" Quite the mystery!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Welcome to the forum. Please consider updating your profile to include the year of your car and maybe the rough location (even just the state or province)
I don't think the holes are actually in the carpet, typically you have to cut them yourself to match once installed. (a cheap soldering iron works well)
More often than not, those rubber plugs don't come out well so plan on buying new ones (you can get them at all the regular places, Willcox, Corvette Central, etc)
M
I don't think the holes are actually in the carpet, typically you have to cut them yourself to match once installed. (a cheap soldering iron works well)
More often than not, those rubber plugs don't come out well so plan on buying new ones (you can get them at all the regular places, Willcox, Corvette Central, etc)
M