4AD Boot Straps wanted

[Stephen]

Hi Everyone,.. Looking for a set of boot straps for my 1952 4AD roadster, if anyone has a spare set and want to sell, please contact me .. Regards Stephen

[kabu]

Hi Stephen,

This canvas strap from Gregorys Autoparts is the correct dimension and the buckle is very close to the original.

http://www.gregorysautoparts.co.uk/cata ... ?t=0&c=475

I have both these and the originals and can take a picture of both when I go to my garage next time.

Regards,
Pekka

[Stephen]

Hi Pekka .. Thank you for your response, but I should have been more specific in what I asked for ! .. I actually need the metal hinges ( I called them Straps) that hold the boot in the open position .. I do not have any of the buckled straps you have mentioned either, so when you send a photo, maybe you could let me know where they go ? .. Regards Stephen

[kabu]

Hi Stephen,

The boot has three canvas straps. One is holding the spare wheel in place and two can be used to carry baggage on the open boot lid. The latter two are attached with two screws onto the sheet metal in front of the spare wheel and with a holder onto the top wood of the boot lid.

Boot straps

Below is a comparison picture with the original straps and buckles with the ones sold by Gregory's autoparts I mentioned in my earlier message. They are a close match.

Strap comparison

The scissor mechanism that limits the boot lid opening looks like this. They are fairly easy to fabricate so if you are not able to find originals I could make you drawings with dimensions for fabricating them.

Scissor mechanism

Regards,
Pekka

[Stephen]

Hi Again Pekka .. Thank you for going to the trouble of photographing the straps, ..
I did not even know they existed, I thought the metal hinge on either side, of the boot was the only thing holding the boot open,.. now I can see that I need canvas straps as well .. will order from Gregories ..
Regards Stephen

[50's car buff]

Kabu: I have been trying to contact gregorys auto parts to order the straps you mention. I do not get a response from them, can you help me find the straps?
Louis

[50's car buff]

Can someone let me know if the boot, when open, is flat and level with the ground? My boot only opens half way, not like the picture above.
Thanks
Louis

[mikeyr]

don't know about flat to the ground but sure is close to that if not flat.

[Stephen]

Hi Louis. my 4 Ad is the same as the photos above, almost parallel with the ground, and two other Singers I know of down here are the same as above,..
Stephen

[kabu]

Hi,

The boot open almost flat but not quite horizontal. It stays maybe ten degrees up. Here is a period photograph showing the boot lid configuration, the picture is maybe taken at the factory yard in the early fifties and I have the same setup in my car shown in the pictures earlier in this discussion.

And another picture from the same car and photography set.

The boot opening is limited by the metal scissors on the side. If yours is not opening fully, there may be something different on those mechanisms, either they are attached differently or they have different dimensions.

[kabu]

Hi Louis,

I did some investigating on alternative source for the straps and found one source that looks similar that the ones I got from Gregory's. This seems to have similar buckle setup that the original Singer straps I have.
http://eshop.lmslichfieldltd.com/epages ... ts/Lms0040

Old military Jeep has quite similar straps used on them. The buckle seems to be somewhat different but might be a feasible alternative.
http://www.surplusjeep.com/images/a3141.jpg
http://www.surplusjeep.com/topscush.htm

British Military Pattern 37 webbing strap has also different buckle but the width and material seems to be correct.
http://www.shop.hassayampasurplus.com/p ... egoryId=34

Hope this helps.

[50's car buff]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I was able to contact Gregory and I have ordered the straps. I sent him a letter by US Postal Service and he contacted me by phone. He does not check his emails often because he is semi retired and is doing his sales from his home.
I guess I should have waited for me info. before I placed my order. I will bookmark the web sites you all gave me in case the straps from Gregory don't work.

I would like to know the length of the side brackets that hold the boot in place, mine seems to be shorter than those shown in this forum, or they are mounted incorrectly. My bracket is 21" long 10" from the top to the bend and 11" to the top of the open boot. The hinge (bracket) is mounted 9" from the top of the boot to the middle of the hinge (bracket) The upper side is 3" to the middle of the hinge (bracket) this gives me about a 45 degree angle. Something is wrong.

Louis

[Stephen]

Hi Louis,
I have just measured my metal boot hinges and everything is the same as yours, except the top part of my hinge is 13 inches in length, whereas yours is only 10 inches .. this would make yours sit up at an angle... if you can weld weld another 3 inches to the top strap it will then sit almost parallel to the ground and look the same as the Singers above..
Regards
Stephen

[fly4ad]

Hey Guys,
While we're on the subject of this general area, could someone provide the dimensions or a pattern of the oval hole in the boot inner panel, and exactly where it is located? My car came with this panel replaced and the hole was deleted. I'll need to make another panel but don't know where or how big to make the hole.
Thanks,
Fred

[50's car buff]

Thanks for the info on the bracket, maybe someone has an extra one that they are willing to part with.

Fred, I have the same problem as you, no hole, hope we get someone to post the size and location. Maybe someone could send an email pattern to us.

Louis