VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 32 Special wood question

Can anyone give me a measurement on the lower belt rail (below the rear window) from side to side where the belt rail touches the rear quarter pillar? The belt rail is attached with 2 bolts to a metal bracket and the bracket is attached to the quarter pillar. Any assistance is appreciated.

Can anyone help?

It might help if you tell us whether your car is a sedan or coupe.

Sorry, I thought my heading daid thast. It's a 4 dr Special. Thanks for any help.

I have looked at my Fisher Body Service manual and not sure of what you need measured. If what you need is the distance between the rear quarter pillars at the belt bar/rail attachment point I can get that but it will be with upholstery attached so not sure if that is accurate enough.

Thanks for your help Steve. I need the measurement between the rear quarter pillars at the lower belt bar (the belt bar under the rear window frame). I might be able to compensate for the thickness of the material. I would appreciate it if you would give me the measurement you have.

I measured 50-3/8" across where the rear belt bar (20) attaches to the rear quarter pillar (20) from the illustration in the 32 supplement to the 26-31 Body Service Manual. I see no listing for a "lower" belt bar but rather just belt bar. Hope this helps.

I should have said the rear quarter pillar item # 19.

Thanks again Steve. Mine measured 50 1/8 across (wood to wood, no interior) that was above the rear window and 49 1/2 below the rear window. (All measurements were taken from rear quarter pillar to rear quarter pillar.)

It would be good if someone who has not had their wood replaced could provide a measurement as that may be beneficial to both of us.

That would be great. Anyone out there that can help?

Here is the problem, with an untouched car how can you be sure the body has not sagged or relaxed and the width has spread? I would expect that measurements from several cars would give several different measurements depending on how much the bodies have sagged. Unless an original spec on width can be found the width would have to be calculated. Let's see if anyone knows how? (this can also be an issue with wood copied from original pieces).

Good point. I figure I'm pretty close as we both have new wood and I'm within 1/4" and his measurement includes material thickness and mine is wood to wood. Neither of my original belts survived so I have no real basis.