62 Convertible Front Latches

[David Tooker]

Found a pair of 62 Convertible Top front latches on ebay, with part numbers 3716389 & 3716390 Are these the short handle versions? Unable to verify thru other sources...

Thank you in advance Dave

[Joe L.]

Re: 62 Convertible Front Latches

Dave----

The part numbers which you provided were the last (and, perhaps, only) available SERVICE part numbers for the 56-62 soft top latches. However, I don't know anything about "long" or "short" handle

[David Tooker]

Re: 62 Convertible Front Latches

Good Morning Joe Thanks so very much for the quick responce.. I was told a little while back from a corvette vendor, that chevy came out later with a replacement latch and it was a longer handle than original. This latch would hit the canvass when you released the lever....

Thank you again

Dave

[Christopher R.]

Re: 62 Convertible Front Latches

The hardtop and convertible front latches are different. One is longer than the other. They used to be frequently mixed up.

[David Tooker]

Re: 62 Convertible Front Latches

Good Afternoon Chris Yes, the latches are different between the hardtop and convertible besides the length of the handle. The convertible base when viewed from the side is thin at both ends, then gets fatter towards the middle, the hardtop runs equal....

Not knowing anyone who has a 62 that could measure the length for me, I cannot ask the seller on ebay to measure them for me to find out if his units are the short or long handle..Evidently GM came out later with a unit with a longer handle than what was installed at the factory..Don't want to get stuck with the wrong units..

I do appreciate you responding to my question

Thanks again Dave

[Dale Pearman]

Re: 62 Convertible Front Latches

The curvature of the front bows is different hard-top to soft-top. The hard top latches will not interchange with the soft top latches regardless of handle length. You can get them on BUT they don't fit.

When the long handle replacement latches are used on a hard top, you RUIN the hard top liner which will get a couple of depressed holes in it from where the ends of the latches come in contact with the liner.

The latches on eBay are NORS. New Old Replacement Stock. They have long handles.

Dale.

[David Tooker]

Re: 62 Convertible Front Latches

Thanks Dale for the information on the latches, I will pass on them and continue the search...don't need them right away, as the car won't be driveable til summer....

Dave