60 softtop mounting brackets

[Howard Manko (34303)]

Section C, sheet 1.00 of the '60 AIM shows a tee nut bonded behind the side panel, for a bolt installation, to hold the outer softtop mounting bracket. My car does not have a hole anywhere in that location although the softtop mounting brackets were installed when I got the car from the original owner. There were no "pie plates" as I received the car. I will be reinstalling the mounting brackets including new pie plates. If I drill through the side wall in line with the outer bracket side mounting hole, will I find the tee nut that is suppose to be there or was this a possible goof at the factory during body buildup and the tee nut was forgotten?
Thanks

[John McGraw (31656)]

Re: 60 softtop mounting brackets

The nut was only installed on soft top cars, and the lack of pie plates and no T nuts, is a good indication that you soft top was added later. I have seen several cars without pie plates, and all of them had cracking on the rear bulkhead from the stresses placed on the 'glass without the plates. The easy thing to do, is to drill holes in the fiberglass with the bracket in place, and then remove the bracket and install a Rivnut. Once the bracket is in place, even the most eagle-eyed judge can not tell that you used one. It is impossible to install the T nut after the fact, as this must be done before the outside fiberglass is bonded in place.

Regards, John McGraw

[Howard Manko (34303)]

Re: 60 softtop mounting brackets

Thanks John
Sounds like the only way to go. Surprised that GM didn't put the tee nut on all the cars just in case someone wanted a soft top later. I quess pennies counted then also.