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My 69 coupe was missing the rear storage compartment that fits over the jack. So I was looking for a dated original for quite a while with no luck (EBay). So at a Corvette flea market in Florida this past winter I picked up on of the replacements they make today. After I came back up North this Spring and tried to place it in the car, surprise! It wont fit! Because of the shoulder belt assembly is in the way and I cannot open the lid back high enough to insert the piece. I can't imagine they expect you to remove the shoulder belt assembly to take the compartment out to get to the jack? Am I not seeing something here?
Are you replacing the whole compartment assembly or just the lid over
the jack? I replaced the complete assembly on my 73 and I have no
problems with the lids opening. I took a photo of my jack compartment
with the lid open and it doesn't even come close the the shoulder belt
cover. Maybe something in my photo will help you.
Hi Donnie, I was just replacing the missing compartment tray. The car is very original and untouched. All I can think of is the tray I bought is to deep. Where a shallow tray could be inserted in with the compartment door only opens up 4 or 5 inches before it hits the shoulder harness assembly. I thought I read somewhere that 2 compartment trays were made, one is not as deep as the other. That's all I can come up with. I will look in the aftermarket catalogs I have and see if they offer two different ones.
Thanks!!
I misunderstood, I didn't realize you meant the tray. I believe that the
original trays were fiber material (the original on mine was) and about
6" deep. The replacement ones are about 5" deep. Regardless, the door
should open up all the way without hitting the wheel well or the shoulder
belt cover. As in my photo, the door has about 1/2" or more space between
the edge of the door and the shoulder belt cover.
I replaced my original with a new one from Willcox, as I still have the
original, but have misplaced it in my storage and haven't found it yet.
If I can be any help with photo or anything, just ask.
Thank you Donnie. The car is at my friends garage and he is putting in a set of rebuilt trailing arms for me at the moment. The car has only 19k original miles on it, original shocks, exhaust, you name it but I am afraid the grease is like candle wax after all these years so I thought for my peace of mind I would replace them. When I get the car back I will take a second look. I thought when I first lifted the lid and it banged into the shoulder harness that I could just turn the assembly, rotate it back and allow the lid to clear. We shall see, thanks again for your help!!
Hi my,
Your problem made me curious so I looked at mine and it seems to have about the same clearance as Donnie described and showed.
I'm not sure why your door is hitting the reel??
Regards,
Alan
Here's a slightly different angle.
Here's the other side with the quarter trim removed so you can check the position of your reel.
Early 69's had the shoulder belt retractor on the side of the wheel well so the door would hit the retractor I believe that later or maybe 70 the retractor was moved to the top of the wheel well. On my early 69 it was a little difficult to remove the lift out tray.
Early 69's had the shoulder belt retractor on the side of the wheel well so the door would hit the retractor I believe that later or maybe 70 the retractor was moved to the top of the wheel well. On my early 69 it was a little difficult to remove the lift out tray.
Hi 69Fastfun my 69 donor car which is very original early build 1968 (D11) has the seat belt retractor up on the wheel well. Wonder when they changed.
R
Yes, my shoulder belt assembly is mounted on the side of the wheel well. Not like your picture at all. My car was delivered March 23, 1969. I would bet the reason I do not have the original tray was perhaps they needed to repair a flat and had a hell of a time getting it out. It just broke as they were made of a cardboard like substance and it was thrown away. How do I post a picture? I will take a pic with my smart phone a show you.
Thanks!!
I would also mention the spare tire is an original F70X15 Firestone wide oval tire that was never on the ground. HOWEVER... according to the 1969 Stingray guidebook by Rick Bizzoco, these Firestone wide ovals were available in the summer of 1969 and my car was built in March 1969. In some books I see my car listed (by VIN) as an "early" car and others as a" late" car. As I am lucky enough to have this "time capsule" I find several oddities that are contradicted in many books, but I know they are original to this car with out a shadow of doubt. I find it fascinating.
Yes, my shoulder belt assembly is mounted on the side of the wheel well. Not like your picture at all. My car was delivered March 23, 1969. I would bet the reason I do not have the original tray was perhaps they needed to repair a flat and had a hell of a time getting it out. It just broke as they were made of a cardboard like substance and it was thrown away. How do I post a picture? I will take a pic with my smart phone a show you.
Thanks!!
Hi 69Fastfun my 69 donor car which is very original early build 1968 (D11) has the seat belt retractor up on the wheel well. Wonder when they changed.
R
I know you are looking for original, but I just bought a replacement tray for my '73 from willcox and it fit perfectly, even over a non original jack. I was surprised it had the felt like material on the inside that matches the center compartment.
Hi 69FF,
Interesting!
I didn't realize the reel was ever mounted on the SIDE of the rear wheel house!
Thanks for the info!
The 68-69 TIM&JG seems to indicate ALL 69 coupes had the reel OVER the wheelhouse, but the wording may be misleading.
The diagram in the Paragon catalogue does show the mount on the SIDE of the wheelhouse.
Regards,
Alan
It does seem hard to believe that Chevrolet would place the assembly's on the side of the wheel well and not notice the lid would not fully open? Yikes! But Corvettes like all cars back then had running production changes. As they go along and find a problem they might correct it and that's it. If you had a car with a problem such as this minor issue they would not provide a recall I'm sure.
The whole project of the C3's was such a radical change in engineering and styling they were beset with troubles, overheating, fit and finish, frame flex and so on. A shoulder harness problem would not get much attention I'm sure!!
Rear storage compartment
Am I not seeing something here?
