My convertible boot must not be original,- I have always fastened the front of the boot using 3 binder clips on the boot and convertible top wheh retracted. Would like to see what the right way is to fasten the boot. It looks like there were clips on the boot and the back of the back seat that fasten the boot to it? If anyone could snap some picture that would be awesome. Thanks guys!
My original '68 boot has two snaps on each side to snap to the rear side panels, several clips that connect to the chrome strip around the well, and the front flap gets tucked behind the back seat panel. To put the boot on properly, the top needs to be put down all but the last 8-12 inches, the folds in the front pushed back to clear the rear seat back, the top hold-downs closed, and then the top lowered completely into the well.
Note that those special clips are available and that is fortunate since they eventually fatigue and break. I go through a couple each year. Also, if the foam padding gets old, I found a good replacement roll of the stuff and cut a new one.
Thanks for the Pictures Jim. So the front of the boot is held in place by being pinched between the back of the rear seat and the folded top? I understand the clips that attach the "rear" and partial sides of the boot to the chrome strip. Also, my boot only has foam padding on each end maybe a foot wide, is that correct or should the foam cover the entire backside of the top boot?
Thin foam padding is on the under side of the entire boot except for the front flap and ends that clip to the side panels. The end pieces and the center long piece overlap. The following picture is all original with the exception of some replaced clips, the handyman's secret weapon reinforcing the old brittle plastic edge and the end foam separated from the boot from dried glue. The red madrid vinyl has well withstood 49 years and hundreds of times installed, removed and stored but not the more fragile foam and plastic parts. (The other end has the new piece of foam that I mentioned earlier.)
Ah, great! And the front of the boot that goes behind the rear seat has no snaps or fasteners and just gets trapped between the rear seat and the actual convertible top, correct? Any one final questions: let me know how thick approx. is the foam padding,- I'll have to go out and get me some.
There are no clips on the part that tucks behind the seat. However, I can understand why someone would put some there since if the top and boot are not done just right, at high speeds, that front flap can come out and the boot inflate. The original foam is 5/8. The stuff I got from a crafts store or fabric store (sorry I can't remember which one) measures about 7/8 but it is soft and smashes well so the extra 1/4 is not noticeable. .
The "GM Convertible 1968 Folding Top Operation" owner's manual covers all GM models and includes two possibilities (2 vs 3) for that front flap, depending on the GM model.