1957 cadillac Biarritz parade boot parts

[57CaddyBiarritz]

During the restoration of my 1957 Biarritz the parade boot attachment pieces were lost . Not the chrome latches that are 2 parts that fit and slide together . The parts that hold the latches in and the wire pieces that  have a bolt that they fit on . From eBay I see the pieces but none are for sale . Can someone with these parts send me photos of the parts and tell me they work together, especially the wire parts ? I have started to fabricate them myself but am in the blind for the most part  . I have attacks photos of the underside of boot area and pieces I need  If anyone has the for sale please let me know . Jim and John.

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Sorry, I can't help you on your request, but I thought this might be interesting. Back in the mid 1960s I found the center section of the hard boot. I carried that thing around with me to swap meets for well over a year before someone finally needed it. Sure wish I'd have kept it.

[57CaddyBiarritz]

Thank for the thought but would have a picture of that piece . Jim

[Quentin Hall]

Easy to fabricate. I’ll try to remember to take a pic today.

[Quentin Hall]

Here you go Jim.

[57CaddyBiarritz]

Quentin Great pictures I think i can make everything , are parts made of spring steel or mild steel ? The wire pieces  how do they work with fiberglass pieces ? I am jealous of your shorts and flip flops you must be south ? Thanks So much Jim

[35-709]

"I am jealous of your shorts and flip flops you must be south ?"

Boy, is he ever.   

[Quentin Hall]

To be fair.... I was wearing thongs because my work boots were soaking wet from the deluge the days and weeks prior. Welcome to Australia. Burning one day, flooding the next.
All the pieces are spring steel  except for the 3mm support plate. Go to the message reply I sent you. You will need spring steel rod but I’ve used stainless for the sliding pieces.
The pics are of original pieces but I have made many of the wire spring pieces prior. ... and wear the scars of trying to bang it around in a vice. So be careful. !!!! I probably should have shown the full wrap and the locating screw. It just does a full loop. The claw grips under the stainless well trim so make sure you don’t make it too long and puncture the convert top when installing it. It needs enough to tension to hold in place.
Make the wire ones first and install the side panels on the car prior to fitting the mid section.

[57CaddyBiarritz]

dear Quentin
I bought some stainless steel wire for making springs . Then i copied your pictures .Then i took thin  easy bendable wire as a mock up . Then i put mock up on bolt in boot end and placed on car to see how this works. What i found that wire swung on bolt and  hooked the body of car to hold end pieces to car . My next step i think I should do is to finish by adjust SS wire in place so it will grab body correctly ?? please see pictures that i just added . Thanks for your help Jim

[Quentin Hall]

Looking good shim. The little double back at the end is just so your thumb has purchase when you spring it down into position. Eureka! I think you’ve got it.

[artdan]

Thanks for the terrific post
I need to do the same with my parade boot.
It came with the latches, but none of the spring steel or wire.
I have been copying images from the eBay listings I have found, but this is so much better!