Boot luggage rail fixings

[Knightrider]

A couple of the chrome/rubber rails in the boot of my 1966 2+2 had come loose, so I investigated trying to refix them today.

Looks like they are held with rivets that had corroded and given way. I have drilled the old ones out, but can't figure a way to refix them. The head of my rivet gun is too large to fit inside the chrome channel. I tried to make a small brass extension for the rivet head, but the rivet doesn't seem to go in far enough to grip. Using 3.2mm pop rivets.

What were the original fixings/tool used, or is there an alternative? Thanks!

[mgcjag]

Grind the end of your rivet gun down a bit....i used pop rivets not sure of size....they may hav been peel rivets where the back splays out ..or use small washers at the back to give the rivet something to grip to....Steve

[Knightrider]

Thanks - I did consider than then decided to ask if there is an alternative before I ruin my rivet gun! If there is no other option I will give it a go.

[TGN]

They should be fixed with bifurcated copper rivets.

[Series1 Stu]

The original items are no longer available, but I bought something close where the solid section was slightly longer and used washers under the rubber rails to take up the difference in height.

I think I used a brass drift to flatten the rivets over. Then came the fun of fitting the rubber rails.

Regards

[Allrand]

I used peel pop rivets which worked great, also flattened on the back

[mgcjag]

Looking at the parts catalogue in the Knowledge base it lists self tap screws holding the retainers.....later S3 cars used staples....Steve..PS Robey drawing

[Series1 Stu]

Hi Steve

Self tappers wont work on the hardura mats, which is what the early cars used.

Regards

[mgcjag]

The original poster has a 66..2+2...I think he has boards?..Steve

[Series1 Stu]

Ah, yes. Good point.

[TGN]

If the head of the rivet gun won’t fit, use either small nuts as spacers or find a suitable piece of metal that fits inside the rails and drill a hole for the rivet shaft.

[Knightrider]

Thanks all. I tried a small nut/piece of metal but couldn't get the rivets to grip - may just be about too short.

As per above - car is using boards so I may resort to self tappers...