Rear seat rubber strap

[MotoGreg]

My car doesn't have the rubber strap to hold the rear seat backrest upright, so I'm going to buy one. I have seen photos of them installed two ways...

1. The rubber strap is mounted to the parcel tray and the metal hook is attached to the top of the seat backrest.

2. The rubber strap is attached to the top of the seat backrest, and the metal hook is attached to the top of the parcel tray.

I was just curious as to why. Was it a model year change? Did they all come one way and some people change them because they work better the other way? Or maybe because they weren't sure of the proper way to attach them?

I'm not much of a purist, so I don't care how VW did it originally, I'd rather have it installed whichever way works better, if there is any difference.... is there? Also, how do I attach (either the strap, or the hook) to the top of the seat backrest? Is there something for the screws to screw into? It is upholstered smooth, with no sign of where the attachment point is.

Thanks for any help.

[toddb_67]

Judging from the pictures I found in the gallery it looks like the strap gets screwed into the seat and the hook gets screwed into the rear parcel tray. Since the top of the backseat is solid wood under the upholstery you could screw the strap in to wherever gives you the best fit/tension to hold the seat up. The middle picture is from a 1965 which is what your signature says you have so it seems that this is the correct installation.
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1971 Super Beetle Convertible (sold) http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=582365&highlight=
1970 Squareback "Savanna" (sold)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=714683
1974 Karmann Ghia- current project, 1967cc engine. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=775207
“I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me.” - Dudley Field Malone

[MotoGreg]

Ok, thank you. I didn't know the top of the seat was solid wood under the upholstery, so that makes sense then.

[Disc]

Not sure for '65 but earlier cars (photos are of '63) have 2 hooks
One on the parcel tray and other just bellow rear seat. One can turn rubber strap to hook it either to upper or lower hook in case you need to hold the back rest down to expand luggage space:

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The glory never gets old, just need new paint.
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Nick

[tri356]

There are differences between cabriolets and coupes.

Coupe's have one strap and 2 hooks. Cabs have two straps and one hook/little knob (on the seatback). I don't know which year this changed, but at least on my Oct. 62 cab, this was still true.

I think the parts books will show this.

Mike

[Disc]

tri356,
This puzzled me for some time now. Being working on 6 cabrios, all later ('67->) never found the correct way to hold rear rest in position (up). Anyone have pics of OG way to do this? Earlier and later cars.
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The glory never gets old, just need new paint.
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Nick

[tri356]

The 'original KG interiors' link (in the stickies) has some pictures that help, but that aspect of the interior is usually not the focal point, so there's some digging to be done through that link.

theghiagirl's gallery also has some shots of original interior cars where this can also be seen.

My interest in the details tends to peter out after the year my car was built, so I haven't paid that much attention to the later cars. I can scan some shots from the parts books (late 59, mid 65, I believe) that shows this information.

Mike

[Disc]

tri356,
Thanks for pointers to these topics - I'll take a look. As for parts books - '57 and '58 are in Technical section of the site, but that '65 parts book sound interesting! If you can scan it and send it to Everett will be nice! I know scanning a lot of pages sucks big time
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The glory never gets old, just need new paint.
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Nick

[c21darrel]

sometime..67-68 they went to a plastic/rubber clasp to hold back seat up. Gravity holds it down i guess.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/69-8_kg/seite18.jpg
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[calexican]

Does anyone sell the little chrome piece at the end where it screws in?

[John Moxon]

[calexican]

Thank you, Sir John.

[rrumph]

After much research the answer is it depends on whether car is a coupe or convertible. on coupe the strap is attached to top of seat back rest and it uses 2 hooks attached with 2 screws on top rear shelf and below bottom of seat. On the convertible the strap is attached to the rear shelf and goes through a metal post that is screwed into the top of back seat rest. below bottom of seat a clip is installed similar to the one that holds the rubber strap in place. I have a 63 convertible. I believe this applies to at least 60-66. not sure on earlier. attention to detail .....

[RCTScott]

Hello rrumph or others. When you say "On the convertible the strap is attached to the rear shelf and goes through a metal post that is screwed into the top of back seat rest. below bottom of seat a clip is installed similar to the one that holds the rubber strap in place." Does this apply to a '67? Also, wheat is meant by "below bottom of seat a clip is installed similar to the one that holds the rubber strap in place?"

Thank you,

Scott

[Mellow Yellow 74]

I have a short strap like in the second post and a long strap like in the fourth post - which one is correct for a 62 coupe?
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1962 Karmann Ghia
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1985 Caravelle (Vanagon)