Hello all. The 72 Lemans I bought came with replacement body parts. I have noticed that some are for 64 -69 models. Case in point the center floor support. It seems to be identical to the current floor support except the seatbelt anchor nut is setback by about an inch. Right now Im thinking that I will modify the part since it is only a nut That needs to be moved (ie hole and weld). Btw Ill have a professional do that one as it is a direct safety gear. Is that the right thing to do Or should I dump the piece and get a new one. Any advice about what do would be appreciated as I dont know that I can find a proper 72 reproduction. I also have often read that reproduction parts pretty much always need some mods.
I am sitting here scratching my head at your post.
I mean no offense by that.
IIRC the GM A-body generations were:
1964-1967 & 1968-1972
This is to say that parts probably don't share between generations, and to the best of my knowledge anything floor/seatbelt-anchor related should not have differed between 1968 & 1972.
Does my post make sense?
believe it or not, I am trying to help.
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1970 Formula 400 Carousel Red on black (std) interior "no drivetrain option" car (same base drivetrain as GTO) 1:411 1970 Firebird Formulas originally sold in Canada
I was scratching my head to! First let me restate something: all my parts are 68 to 72 Except for my floor support which are 64 to 69. that said as I look on the net, invariably, the floor supports are advertised as 64 - 72. the supports I have are 64 - 69. Confused yet! I have posted a couple pics. In the end I spoke to a restorer and suggested that I save the current (original) floor supports. Any comments/advice would be appreciate.
I know that in 1970 on the two door there is an added angle bracing to the rear of the door opening. This is why the 70 to 72 armrests are built into the interior panel and the rear seat is narrower. I think the brace was installed to comply with side impact standards. There are probably other changes, this may be why your floor braces are different.
looks more like it has enough holes to do all models stated, just some wont be used depending on model. I suspect the seatbelt anchor needs to be installed on the new one. Notice the size of the plate? I wouldnt trust the nutsert in the new one as a seatbelt anchor. The seat belt anchor plates need to be a certain area. That small nut would get ripped out in an accident.
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cutting a roof off a four door is NOT a convertible.....
65 Parisienne convertible.one of 49 built for RHD export market,402BBC, T400, 2500 stally, posi rear, upgraded brakes with front discs, FUEL FAST efi custom built by me.
@Perfectca: thank you for the insight on the differences. The crux of the problem is that wherever I search on the net the center floor support looks identical to my new (black) center floor support. So try as I might I couldnt get one that looks like the original.
@koolconvertible: thank for the insight on the plate size. I did notice the difference but I didnt connect the dots that a bolt (even if large) doesnt have the surface area to withstand a serious impact. Though theoretically I shouldnt be driving it in such away to get into that kind of impact....Ive never been theoretical!
I just got my frame blasted and some slight repairs. I showed the pics to the restorer there (thats all they do) and he suggested repairing the existing support because in his view the damage was not bad. Keep in mind he saw pics not the actually piece. If you all have a different view let me know.
If that is the case I would just repair the original. At least you know it fits and everything bolts in as it should. Looks like more work to modify the new one. Then on sell the new one cheap.
Haha! I choose not to drive in a way to test the seat belt anchors too, but I just dont trust others on the road to do the same.
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cutting a roof off a four door is NOT a convertible.....
65 Parisienne convertible.one of 49 built for RHD export market,402BBC, T400, 2500 stally, posi rear, upgraded brakes with front discs, FUEL FAST efi custom built by me.
