Re: Randy Berger's 1956 Caribbean

Posted by BH On 2007/7/11 21:47:25

Randy & Robert -

There was barely enough room at my offsite storage to get to my Carib Hardtop to get another part that Randy needed study for his car, but I think I can clear this up from my chair.

I cracked open the good old factory parts book and started scanning thorugh the body section looking for things unique to the Carib. No luck in the "Front Fenders" subsection, but I found something interesting in the "Radiator Grille & Splasher" subsection.

Check out Group 30.874932 for a "Radiator Side Splasher to Frame Brace". The hardware listed seems to match details that Randy provided to me (privately), and there is a LH and RH version of the brace.

Also, this bracing is used only on 5588 and 5699 (convertible) body styles, but NOT the 5697 (Hardtop). Actually I'm not surprised about that since the Caribbean Hardtop body is essentially a Four Hundred shell. So, there's probably no need to check my Carib.

I think Robert is right about the purpose of this brace. When I have had my Hardtop up on a lift or four jackstands, I see a change in the gap between the trailing edge of the door and the leading edge of the rear fender. I can only imagine how much more the deflection would be on a car without a fixed roof.

Hence, this is very likely one of those things that was added by the factory to accomodate an open car configuration. I'm sure there are other measures employed throughout the convertible body and chassis.

My only explanation for the lack of the RH (passenger side) brace on Randy's car might be an omission made during some past collision repair.