[DeTomaso] Decklid/Fender Problem

[Art Stephens]

Mike,
Ok,  it's good to know that I'm not the only one in the world with the problem.  My car does in fact have the bar instead of the later style catch.  I did notice on my other car,  with the new style latch and catch,  that I did get the paint scuffed up but no metal damage.


Thanks,
Art





  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: MikeLDrew at aol.com 
  To: artstephens at verizon.net ; detomaso at realbig.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 6:56 PM
  Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Decklid/Fender Problem



  In a message dated 4/27/10 18 16 57, artstephens at verizon.net writes:



    What I'm concerned about is whether or not I am missing something here as to the cause of the chewed up fenders?  Has anyone seen one beat up this bad before?



  Sure, that's pretty standard in fact, for the 1971 cars that didn't have a proper decklid catch.  The later cars had a stamped steel catch that had 'ears' on it that captured the sides of the latch (on the body), which largely prevented side-to-side movement, but the early cars just had a simple bar on the decklid, which was useless.

  There were two different styles of bar used.  On the later 'bar-cars', you can just unbolt the bar (un-nut it actually) and attach the new catch over the same studs.  On the earlier cars, the bar is shaped differently, the studs are in a different place, and you'll have to drill holes and use nutserts to install new studs for the new catch to attach to the decklid.

  The good news is that the new catch is widely available from the Pantera vendors for $25, and often less when it goes on sale.

  Mike 


------------------------------------------------------------------------------



  No virus found in this incoming message.
  Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
  Version: 9.0.814 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2839 - Release Date: 04/27/10 11:27:00