Convertible boot

[Baz]

I have a 1977 spidy and am dammed if I can figure out how the boot fixes over the roof when down. I have two chrome hooks on the panel between the trunk and the edge of the roof base. I have two odd looking bent metal brackets that are supposed somehow to locate the boot to the hooks. I cannot find any info on the net or manuals that I have. I have convert ed one boot I have to the same way my old 69 Pontiac GTO convert was mounted. Simple, efficient and works well with the Fiat body, however I would like to know how the original one works.
Baz

[pope]

On the back trunk section, there are two chrome hooks. You attach the two curved metal rods that are sewn into the boot through those hooks. The boot will now start taking the shape of the back seat. There are two plastic arms that have hooks also on then and they attack to a grommet head in the back side window opening, near the back of the door on either side.
As the boot is now in place, look for two little metal hooks toward the bottom of the boot that go into holes into the side panels left and right.

[mbouse]

Ok, you are either missing some hardware, or some hardware is broken, because this boot is not rocket science...no offense.
http://www.international-auto.com/index ... sid=858603

should be two of the above plastic pieces that fit inside a pocket on either side of the front of the boot. they hook onto a small button on the top frame JUST behind the door on either side.

sewn into the back seam of the boot should be something that looks like this http://www.international-auto.com/index ... id=1263475 one for each side. the only part you should actually see is the D ring. that D ring fits into the hooks fastened onto the body.

[Baz]

Thank you all for your advice. Mbouse, my boot does not have any pockets or flaps that the bent metal brackets could be fitted. I will have it altered to accept the 'D' bracket things.
Thanks again
Baz

[mdrburchette]

Actually, those metal brackets are glued/sewn into the back of the tonneau cover with a slit cut in the fabric to let the "D" ring protrude.

[Baz]

I hate to keep on about this but I am, unlike you lot, unable to pop down to the local and pick up another boot, after butchering the one I have (I hate to say it, but purchased from Europe) I can grasp the concept but have no idea how far out the 'D' part protudes from the leading edge of the boot, if at all. There are very few of these cars over here so I have no model. I have spent hours looking at the Spiders for sale site in the USA...every photo one could possibly imagine EXCEPT the %$#@! shot I need. I would give you a decent Rugby team for a pic showing the underside with the 'D' clamp protruding....please.....someone...
Bended knees Baz

[perthling]

I would give you a decent Rugby team for a pic showing the underside with the 'D' clamp protruding....please.....someone...

Baz, I will take a photo of my setup tonight (light permitting). I, like you, bought mine in and couldn't figure out exactly what needed to happen to fit it all together. I ended up taking mine down to a motor trimmers where we fitted up the boot, lined up where the D-rings would poke through the underside of the rear section of the boot to line up with the chrome hooks, then made some discreet slits with a Stanley knife. Pretty straightforward once you see how it holds on over the folded roof.

FWIW, my bent sections with the D-rings just sit inside the back of the boot cover - they aren't sewn in or glued. Never been a problem.

[Curly]

G'day Baz,
Hopefully these shots might help you out a bit. They are taken from the underside of the cover. The exposed part of the 'D-hooks' are part of a much larger curved steel strip which is sewn into the cover and extend maybe 4" or so each side of the 'D'.


The plastic hook plate fits into a pocket on the underside of the cover and the press-stud connects to a small bracket near the top of the door slam panel when the cover is in place.

[perthling]

Dang! Looks like Curly beat me to the punch... but here's my underside D-ring shot for comparison.
http://gallery.italiancarclub.com/124og ... 042008.jpg
http://gallery.italiancarclub.com/124og ... 8_001_.jpg

Edit: Changed to links as the pics wouldn't appear in the post for some reason...
Not sure what the cable tie in Curly's shot is for though?

[Baz]

Thank you Perthling and Curly....exactly what I needed to know. Pictures spot on !! Rugby teams on the way....

Baz

[perthling]

Baz

Save it for the game!

(Sorry, for those Up Overs (the opposite of Down Under?) that is a reference to the West Australian rugby team the Western Force. Apologies for the in joke).)