Topic: 67 NJ Running Change Survey - Trunk Filler Board

[J_Speegle]

Question came up in a recent thread so thought I would at least start a thread so that we could collect additional data points and examples to see if we can narrow down the change over point at Metuchen. The change we're focusing on here is from the brown Masonite drivers side trunk filler that covers the gap between the quarter panel and the drivers side trunk floor. The Masonite panel is held in place with two large screws and large washers like done on 65-66 Mustangs. Later in the year Ford changed to a thick black cardboard piece that was shaped to hold it to the space without a need for retaining hardware. In many examples they failed after a few years.

The two versions. Upper Masonite and the lower the black pressed paper style. When installed the lower version has four "wings" that swing out and rest against the outer surface of the trunk drop




What I have so far

Masonite panel and hardware
7T1523xx
7T1558xx
7T1684xx

Pressed cardboard
7T2225xx
7T2300x
7T2322xx
7T2511xx
7T26xxxx
7T2604xx



As you can see there is a big gap in the cars I have pictures of this details. Hopefully others have original cars that can help narrow that gap.

[196667Bob]

In trying to look a little deeper into the Filler Boards, I went to the 1967 Assembly Manuals. I found the Filler Boards in the Interior Assembly Manual. I have attached a copy of the appropriate page. Note that it is dated 10/27/66, and shows a totally different type of Filler Board than the two previously mentioned. In checking the 1967 Only MPC, there is no 6511229 Part Number shown. However, the 1960-68 MPC does show it as C7ZZ-6511229-A. Interestingly, in the 1968 Interior Assembly Manual, a similar page, only dated 7/27/67 shows this same type of Filler Board.

So, this leads to the question wondering if this type has been observed from any Factory, or was it just the original idea that was scrapped and replaced by the screw in type, and later replaced by the folded type ? If so, why did it still appear in the 1968 Assembly Manual ? Must have had the Assembly line workers scratching their heads.

This may, or may not, lead to a third possibility for this survey.

Bob

[J_Speegle]

196667Bob the illustration shows what is referred to as the cardboard style I mentioned above guess I should have maybe posted a picture of even reproductions of both style in that first post to cut down on any confusion. I've now added a picture of each



It is interesting that we again have some printed documentation of where the assembly manual individual pages, that made it to print, not matching production practices

[Rhythim]

Obviously you have ones built after mine that have the Masonite board so this doesn't tell you anything you don't already know, but for the record, my original 10/5/66 build 7T03T121875 still had the Masonite filler board in it when I disassembled it last fall.  Was slightly warped so I've had it pressed between a couple pieces of wood with a brick on top for a few months to see if I can iron it out.

As best as I can tell so far, my car predates all of the various mid-year changes that showed up during the course of the model year.