starfire

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It doesn't look factory to me. I don't remember my '70 or '71 convertibles having this. Any ideas?

Junkman

It wasn't put there by the factory, but it could possibly be there because it was left behind at the factory, but not likely. What are the 2 ends attached to? Can you pull it out, or is it stretched tightly and affixed in place? I can see what looks like a screw and washer in line with the chain, but the screw and washer don't look like they belong there either.

MDchanic

Could be someone left it there after pulling the body off the frame or something.

Does it have any tension on it?

Does it tighten up when you raise and lower the top?

Did your car have a lot of rust originally?

- Eric

starfire

The chain has no tension. It hangs down about an inch or two. When I got the car (1999) it had/has no rust, it was restored, but not a body off restoration. It does not change at all when putting the top down. It is bolted into the rear back seat support panel.

Closer up pics of where it is attached:

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Lady72nRob71

Redneck body stiffener is my guess. Did the car come from the south?
Right now it is just adding weight - remove it and use it to lock up yer bicycle.

starfire

Naw, car has spent it's whole life in Pennsylvania and Michigan. Too loose to be body stiffener. I think I will remove it, just wanted to check with others to make sure I wasn't missing something obvious.

MDchanic

Perhaps the previous owner held someone captive in there ?

- Eric

J-(Chicago)

Looks like a stereo theft prevention device. Chain bolts to car, and lag bolts go through chain into the speaker box.
It's better than drilling holes in the trunk floor and bolting it in.

oldzy

I am guessing the sub box thing as well, especially looking at what appears to be red 8-gauge wire typically used on amps.

starfire

Sorry, that red wire was a red herring, I had the red wire hooked up (alligator clip) to that bolt for temporary ground as I was lowering my top using a battery in the back seat area.

There was a big speaker in the trunk when I bought the car. First thing I got rid of...

The speaker security thing does make sense then.

starfire

OK, the chain is off and the car is still in one piece. I was hoping the chain wasn't like the neck ribbon on the girl in that ghost story.

Thanks for the help!

Lady72nRob71

Good news!

I have been known to find the "secret little bolt that holds the whole thing together" before........

Indy_68_S

DeltaPace77

Kinda hard to tell from the pic where that chain actually is. Some guys loop a chain to powerful/torquey engines, so if a motor mount breaks, the engine wont come flying up into the hood.

442much

Don't touch your belly button otherwise your skin will fall off an you'll rattle around in your bones.

Lady72nRob71

Please do not go starting rumors like that...

starfire

It was in the trunk area. In one of my posts I mentioned that it was attached to the back seat support panel.

GTI_Guru

I was always told not to play with my belly button.

If you accidentally unbutton it, your rear end will fall off!

cutlassgal

you guys crack me up, lol!

oldcutlass

Only if you remove the golden screw!!!

Lady72nRob71

Dang. I was hoping the beer gut would come off instead....