So, I bought a new rear package tray for my 63 Riv from OPGI (was missing completely when I got the car). It was $65, which I thought was ridiculously reasonable, until it showed up. It is basically just a cut piece of flat cardboard with textured paint on it. No big deal, I thought.....but, when you'd bend it for the contours it must make, the black covering and cardboard would crack. I tried wetting it, heating it, pretty much anything I could think of. So, I decided to use it as a template and base, and learn how to fix it properly myself. I installed it and left it for a week or two to let it get it's shape. I then removed it from the car, and glued washers to the mounting holes for some support, as the cardboard and paint would just crack and break with any kind of pressure on it. Next, I spray glued some 1/8" thick foam to it and let it dry. I used an exacto knife to cut the foam around the perimeter of the package tray. I bought some "four way" stretchable leatherette (make sure you get some stretchable stuff with a backing on it) and spray glued it down to the foam. This took some time and finesse. I smoothed out the wrinkles using a spray paint can as a roller while the glue was still wet (I'm kind of a hillbilly do whatever works kind of guy), then set some books and weights on top of it and let it sit overnight. This is where I'm at right now. I'm going to try to finish up tonight and install it back in the car this weekend. I'll post more progress pics, but super happy with how it's going so far. I figure I'm only out about $80 total if it doesn't work, but it's basically the same process I've used on doing newer car's headliners at home Hope this helps anybody thinking about trying something like this yourself......
Yeah, I was pretty surprised and happy at the time to find someone making them, too. I see CARS sells them as well, but I had never heard of them before I got this car and started searching for resto parts. After seeing some of their "mixed" reviews, I don't know if it'd be any better, anyway (although the few small things I've personally gotten from them have been great).....Oh well, it'll be nice when it's done, and hopefully if anybody else is missing their rear tray, my little experiment here can help them get some decent results for little money. Is there anyone else beside OPGI and CARS making 1st gen specific resto stuff?
Get an EXACT repro from Clark's Corvair Parts. MANY yrs. ago I sent them an NOS prototype from Buick. They copied it EXACTLY & it comes complete, even covered with the proper material. Tom T.
Very nice! I checked their website out and that definitely looks like the way to go if this doesn't work out. Just got done gluing and cutting the last of my package tray. Looks good to me right now, but won't know for sure until I put it in. I'm surfing on my phone right now and didn't see a price. Do you happen to know what they charge for one? thank you again for your time.
Got it all glued and trimmed up last night.....will be putting it in tomorrow. It's a lot smoother than the pics make it look, really happy with it. You can see the washers bulge through the foam and leatherette, which I will just "x" cut.
Thanks guys. Got it all finished and installed. Much better. I used chrome chevy valve cover hold downs as trim around the mounting screws.....I like doing little different cheap custom things that other car guys will notice Sorry my pics are fuzzy. Snowing outside and its dark in the garage with the doors closed.
OPGI should be ashamed to sell that as a replacement part. It doesn't even COME CLOSE to fitting properly, even AFTER you've done all the work to correct it. I'd hate to see what it looked like installed before the repairs.
Thanks Eddie, it came out pretty decent compared to what it started out as for sure. Maybe $80 into the whole thing. Started redoing the center console in the leftover material. Tedious work cutting all the parts to fit.......Oh well, what else is a guy to do when it's 10 degrees out haha.....
