1968-72 Rear Window Tray Brackets

[Gregory M.]

Apparently a previous owner removed the mounting brackets that should be up under the decklid on my 1968 Coupe. I have no way to mount the tray and am not sure how, or where, they should be mounted as the holes have been filled.

Can someone post or forward pictures via email of the mounting brackets with the tray removed so I can see them clearly. I need to know where (measurements?)and how (rivets or bolts) they are mounted.

Also, are they reproduced or do I have to find them used? Thnaks

GM

[Warren F.]

Re: 1968-72 Rear Window Tray Brackets

Greg,

I can tell that the brackets were riveted to the back panel. Someone else will have to provide pictures/measurements.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 1968-72 Rear Window Tray Brackets

Warren is right...the hinge mounting bracket (well, not actually a "bracket") is a tapping plate that's riveted vertically, high up on the rear compartment wall. The tray hinge bolts to the tapping plate.

If you have any "bracket" on the rear bulkhead, then you are probably looking at the stationary part of the the hinge. The actual tapping plate is on the backside of the bulkhead, and is not visible on the inside except for the mounting rivet heads, and two oversize holes in the bulkhead where the tapped holes are located. It makes no sense for anyone to fill those holes; you can hardly see that area when you are really trying.

If you have an AIM, the tray mounting details are shown in the 70 AIM on UPC 1, Sheet F17...other 68-72 years will be the same or very close to that reference. If you don't have the AIM, get one...the AIM is your friend.

[Michael B.]

Re: 1968-72 Rear Window Tray Brackets

I have these pictures in my photobucket. Sorry they are not clearer. That is an added speaker box next to the brackets. Just noticed that the attachment on the passenger side is different than the driver side. Don't thing the screws are correct. See next post.

[Michael B.]

Re: 1968-72 Rear Window Tray Brackets *NM*

[Chuck S.]

Re: 1968-72 Rear Window Tray Brackets

If anyone else is having trouble visualizing this installation, Mike has inverted the picture for easier viewing...the tray is the flat area on the bottom of the picture; up is down. The round rivet head centered above (below?) the two lower hinge mounting bolts (four total; I remembered two...NCRS!) is one of two rivets that attach the tapping plate.

I've always assumed from the amount of rust on the stationary side of the hinge that they were natural steel. BUT...I sometimes wonder if the only reason the rust isn't worse is because they might have put a thin gray phosphate finish on the hinge...only speculation.

[Gregory M.]

Re: 1968-72 Rear Window Tray Brackets

OK, I can clearly see and visualize the stationary hinge/bracket, but it appears bolted to the bulkhead wall...whats the deal? Bolts or rivets?

Bolts would require a threaded receptacle, which means I have to find the old holes. If riveted I could just drill and pop 'em anywhere close...

GM

[Chuck S.]

You're Not Paying Attention...

In my first post, I said there is a "tapping plate" RIVETED to the outside surface of the bulkhead. A "tapping plate" is a steel plate with drilled-through holes at the tray hinge bolt locations, with nuts (usually square nuts) spot-welded to the backside; the tray hinge bolts thread into the nuts on the "tapping plate".

The ORIGINAL HOLES in the bulkhead for the tray hinge bolts will be about 3/8" diameter in a rectangular pattern (for each hinge) in the fiberglass bulkhead, and will be located in each upper corner of the bulkhead. Further, I would bet my first-born that they are still there, and are unfilled...no one in his right mind would get into that tight space trying to laminate resin and mat to cover holes that are virtually impossible to see.

[Chuck S.]

Disclaimer...

Perhaps 68 is different from later cars; I'm pretty sure the tray hinges themselves are very different. If the 68 tray hinge installation is significantly different from later cars, you 68 guys need to step forward and help Greg...we 70 guys may only be confusing him.

[Chuck S.]

Oops...Up Is NOT Down...UP 'R UP!!!

Mike shot that picture BETWEEN the tray and the deck. My mistake; UP really IS UP! Sorry, Mike.

[Michael B.]

Re: You're Not Paying Attention...

The pics are with the tray open. You are looking at the top "felt" side of the tray with the tray side bracket pointing upward. The bulkhead bracket is the rusty piece. Like I said I never noticed the screws in the drivers side bracket before and I'm sure they are not correct. I have had the car for 25 years and I didn't put them there. The pivot bolts are improvised. I used a wiper door canister bushing and a bolt with 2 jam nuts. The holes in the tray bracket are larger than the bulkhead bracket and require a bushing to match.

This is an October 3 1968 build date car.

[Chuck S.]

Re: You're Not Paying Attention...

"The holes in the tray bracket are larger than the bulkhead bracket and require a bushing to match."

True on later cars as well, Mike...my examinations have those bushings appearing suspiciously identical to the white bushings used in the wiper door linkages. I have seen some spring-loaded tray hinges on a fiberboard flocked tray...I concluded they must have been used in early 68, because they were atypical of anything I knew about. I note that your hinges are the later, plain style.

On my late 70, the indented hex head machine screws attaching the hinges to the tapping plate/bulkhead are #10 NC X 9/16" long, finished in black phosphate with the anchor headstamp. The hinge pivot bolts were also black phosphate, 1/4" NC X 3/4" with P headstamp.

Thanks for the pictures.

[Kurt B.]

Re: You're Not Paying Attention...

My May 10, 1968 built coupe has the spring loaded hinges and as stated the hinges bolt into the backing plate, not riveted.
The backing plate is riveted to the bulkhead but not the hinges.
Kurt