The factory did this.

[Kemper]

I wasn't sure where to post this or if there is a current thread for such.

I don't have a pic available right now but I was wondering if anyone came across this.

I was tearing down a 1966 barracuda Formula S California car. When unbolting the seats I found there were rubber plugs pushed over the mounting studs under the car . I thought this was unusual and all 8 were still on the car. I noticed they had some red paint on them that looked to be more than just the overspray from painting the car.

At first I thought this was a safety thing as the studs could be a bit dangerous when working under the car. I think that they came from the seat belt mounting holes on the interior. The fine threads on those would get coated with paint if left unprotected while painting the interior floor area. When I tore down a white painted car I found one of these plugs under the carpet and it had white paint around the upper lip and that is what lead me to believe that is what they were used for. I'm thinking someone at the factory may have just pushed them over the seat studs on the red car . I haven't found any on the seat studs of other cars and was wondering if anyone else came across this.

 

[cudamark]

In the 20+ '66's I've had, no, nothing on the seat studs. The outer holes for a bench seat have the plugs though, just to keep water and dirt out.

 

[Kemper]

In the 20+ '66's I've had, no, nothing on the seat studs. The outer holes for a bench seat have the plugs though, just to keep water and dirt out.

Wish I had a pic handy. Did you ever find any of these in a car ?

 

[cudamark]

You mean extra ones under the carpet? Occasionally, I've found all sorts of extra parts there. My bucket seat cars all have those plugs in the outer bench seat bracket holes.

 

[Kemper]

You mean extra ones under the carpet? Occasionally, I've found all sorts of extra parts there. My bucket seat cars all have those plugs in the outer bench seat bracket holes.

I thought your username sounded familiar and I'm wondering if you are the same as cudamark on treasurenet forum ? I tried messaging you but your box is full. You can message me if you prefer rather than answer.

 

[cudamark]

Yes, same guy with a second addiction!

 

[Kemper]

Yes, same guy with a second addiction!

I haven't been on there in years but won't go into that . I haven't been out detecting in a while. I have an Equinox 600 but prefer my beep and dig machine . I've found a lot of neat stuff .

 

[Kemper]

I have seen where the fold down panel on a 65 /66 barracuda had a cut out area to a certain depth. I was wondering if this was only there if you ordered a 14 inch spare and needed the extra clearance for the panel to lay flat in th trunk area. I don't believe it was automatic with 14 inch wheels as I haven't seen it on all cars with factory 14s .

Anybody else seen this cut out area in their panel ?

 

[cudamark]

Yes, the '65-6 Barracudas that came with the 14 X 5 1/2" wheels have the cut out in both that panel, and the spare tire cover.

 

[Kemper]

Yes, the '65-6 Barracudas that came with the 14 X 5 1/2" wheels have the cut out in both that panel, and the spare tire cover.

But I think you had to order a 14 inch spare . I haven't seen it on all Commando or S cars and they would have 14s.

 

[cudamark]

Just the wide 14's. All the Formula S's and any other that ordered the wide wheels. A full size spare the same as the ones on the ground were standard.

 

[cudamark]

The 14 X 4 1/2" wheels didn't get the cutout.

 

[Kemper]

The 14 X 4 1/2" wheels didn't get the cutout.

Okay. I thought all the 14 inch wheels that came on a 65/66 Cuda were 5.5 inches. They were on all the ones I came across. I thought any time you ordered a Commando or Formula S car you automatically got 14 inch 5.5 wheels and you had to order a spare the same to get a cut out panel.