[DeTomaso] Upper deck latch

[Mike Drew]

Robert,

Yes, the U-shaped rod was only used on the early cars, replaced by a straight rod and finally the definitive third version, a stamped steel catch. 

My wife’s car #1765 had the same type of setup you have. We bought a late style catch (they only cost $25 or so) and were able to fit it by carefully drilling two holes in the underside of the frame of the decklid, and fitting it with Nutserts and studs.  That has worked quite well (although the decklid started popping open on the drive to Las Vegas this year until Forest thought to gently bend the catch tang so it engaged the latch better).

Mike

Sent from my iPad

> On May 19, 2018, at 01:38, Robert Stroj <npdrs at maui.net> wrote:
> 
> Hi, I had my upper deck latch break and we repaired it by welding a new
> steel rod.
> The problem is that it keeps bending, making the deck move, so I am looking
> for a replacement.
> 
> The problem is that mine does not look like any of two styles I seen on
> parts diagrams.
> It is '71 flat deck car and latch looks like a classic, "U" bent steel rod
> extending back to engage with the lower latch.
> 
> On Wilkinson page I found picture for early latch, but mine definitely does
> not go straight across between the bolts; it extends quite a bit back. 
> 
> Does someone know if this style sold by vendors would work on early deck or
> are some dimensions different?
> 
> Thanks, Robert
> 
> <Capture.JPG>
> <Early style.JPG>
> _______________________________________________
> 
> 
> Detomaso Email List is not managed by POCA
> Posted emails must not exceed 1.5 Megabytes
> DeTomaso mailing list
> DeTomaso at server.detomasolist.com
> http://server.detomasolist.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso
> 
> To manage your subscription (change email address, unsubscribe, etc.) use the links above.
> 
> Members who post to this list grant license to the list to forward any message posted here to all past, current, or future members of the list. They also grant the list owner permission to maintain an archive or approve the archiving of list messages.