mid year bird cage brace

[Ron De Vries]

I am wondering.... I am doing a resto on a 67 coupe. We have had to replace a large amount of the lower bird cage - a pillar, b pillar and sills. Looking at the picture in my GM parts book.. it shows a brace coming off the back side of the b-pillar just above the body mount access panel inside, and then angling down to the steel cross member that runs across the car just in front of the storage compartments behind the seats. We could see very clearly that there was a brace there at one time on both sides as there was spot welds were we believe it was. I have looked at a 67 BB coupe, 65 SB coupe and a 66 SB coupe and none of these cars had this brace. The picture in my GM parts manual and the assembly manual both show it as being there but like I say none of the other 3 had it and I know that 2 of them for sure have never been apart in this area. Both books show it and yet they are not there in the other cars. My first thought was maybe its for a convertable but why would it show in both books as a coupe cage from 63-67?

We have made up new braces and they fit and look great and make total sense as to what they are there for, as they connect the both sides of the rear lower cage together and give it much strenght and rigidity. I really just want to know why they would be in some and not others. ( like every other car I look at dosn't have them and they were a heck of alot of work to make up and install)

Thanks for any info and help Ron.

Ps this car is a SB 4 speed and it was red and a none power antenna and black tires and it had 37 cents in the heater air box if that makes any diff (hee hee)

[George R.]

Re: mid year bird cage brace

My 67 coupe has the same piece ou mention behind the seats. When I restored the car I found it had been cut in the center about 4" x 2" for reason. I just made up another one and welded it in using sheet metal. Covered with insulation and carpet.

Remember these are old cars and lots of things have happen to them over the years so don't be surprised to find missing parts or modified parts.Plenty of what is this or where is that stuff when you get into the cars restoration.

Good luck,grr#33570

[Ron De Vries]

Re: mid year bird cage brace

I dont think you are talking about the same thing as we had to cut out part of the (front)rear inner fenders to replace this bracket. I think you are talking about the cross member that holds the front lip of the rear compartment ( piece of sheet metal about 4' by 4"-6" high. these braces attatch to the to the cross member and then the front lip of the rear compartment is riveted to it on bother ends via two rivets, then run up(on a 45 degree angle) in front of the rear fender well inside and are welded to the rear of the b-pillar above the access hole for the body mount and below the door striker access hole on the back side of the pillar. I am really just curious as to why some have it and others dont. As I said in my previous post I have looked at other cars that I know have no been apart and none of them had them.

the braces measure about 18" in lenght on there top side and over all, hieght is about 14" by the time you weld it to the back of the pillar and on the inside side of it also, as it wraps it self around the lower portion of the b-pillar. We could be talking about the same part but your measurments dont add up to what I have described.

If any one else has 67 coupe it is easy to see it from inside the car. On the front of the rear inner fender were your carpet splits on the lower portion of the well if you look behind the lower portion of carpet it should be clearly visable. some one please tell me Im not the only one.

George thanks for your time and let me know if we are indeed we are talking about the same brace. I can email you a picture if there is any question of what I am talking about. Thanks again Ron