<VV> Early Corvair Door Latches - photo comparison between 60-62 non-safety and 63-64 safety latches

[Bryan Blackwell]

Hi Bill,

Thanks very much for the explanation and photos, I'm not sure I really want to go to the trouble.  We've largely solved the ejection risk by a full seatbelt install (three point front, lap rear).  OTOH, At some point I may well have the doors off the wagon and taken apart for restoration, that change sounds like a fairly straightforward mod that would lend a little additional safety in a crash.

--Bryan

On Nov 5, 2014, at 12:04 PM, William Hubbell via VirtualVairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org> wrote:

> I went over to John Gilliland's house and took photos of his 1962 door
> latches, then some comparison shots of my 1964.  I have revised the gallery
> on the SCG web site and also added a photo album on the SCG Facebook site.
> I think the photos do a good job of showing the differences in the latches
> and striker plates.  Note that you can click on the thumbnails to enlarge
> the photos to full resolution.
> 
> SCG gallery: http://stock.corvair.org/wpmu/?p=2449
> 
> SCG Facebook album:
> https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.214007838790118.1073741836.1679534
> 66728889&type=1
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: William Hubbell [mailto:whubbell at verizon.net]
> 
> The main difference between the two latches is the addition of a flange at
> the outer end of the door latch, and a plate at the outer end of the
> striker, such that when the door is closed the flange slides in behind the
> striker and that secures the door in the fore and aft direction.
> 
> You can easily swap out the striker plates between the '60-'62 and '63-'64
> cars, but it takes some modification of the door to install the later
> (safety) version of the latch - you'd need to make the hole in the door
> bigger to allow the flange to get through.
> 
> Bill Hubbell