[MescaBug]

Having a hard time finding pictures of an original package tray. Over and under.

If you have only the front speaker and AM radio, does the package tray top has a mesh pattern where the rear single speaker is located?

I've seen all type of package trays... I'm wondering which one is correct for a 72 GTO. All vinyl? Mesh with vinyl strip? What's under? Jute, foam?

Thanks for the help.

[Lloyd-TX]

I'll probably be corrected, but IIRC the standard interior (non-Sport) '72s used a solid cardboard package tray with a cutout and grille for speaker if so equipped.

The LeMans Sport cars used a mesh package tray material with an under-mounted speaker and no grille, if equipped with rear speaker option or stereo radio.

[carguy66cars]

Here's some picture's of the tar paper sound deadener and insulation, this was out of '72 Luxury Lemans. Had the cardboard tray, w/rear speaker and grille and pull strap style door panel's. Also have a '72 Sport GT w/cardboard tray and rear speaker grille. Also has the pull strap style door panels! Not sure what package got you the mesh tray? Sorry Lloyd you knew someone would post something poking holes in the mesh vs. cardboard theory and I'm sure Roger can add to this post!!! Glad your feeling better too! I know these picture's aren't the best, but this stuff is in the attic.

Lyn.

[MescaBug]

Thanks for the pictures Lyn.

So from what I see here, the package tray 'shelf' is cardboard, and either vinyl or mesh on top? Looks like it has a 'lip' where it meets the back rest seat?

- Standard cars is cardboard + vinyl with speaker grills if so optioned.

- Sport/Luxury trim is mesh? Is there a cardboard under? Doesnt make sense as it would show thru the mesh?

And what if you want have only AM and front speaker? The tray is just blank I guess?

[Lloyd-TX]

Originally Posted by carguy66cars

Here's some picture's of the tar paper sound deadener and insulation, this was out of '72 Luxury Lemans. Had the cardboard tray, w/rear speaker and grille and pull strap style door panel's. Also have a '72 Sport GT w/cardboard tray and rear speaker grille. Also has the pull strap style door panels! Not sure what package got you the mesh tray? Sorry Lloyd you knew someone would post something poking holes in the mesh vs. cardboard theory and I'm sure Roger can add to this post!!! Glad your feeling better too! I know these picture's aren't the best, but this stuff is in the attic.

Lyn.

Thanks for the kind thoughts, Lyn. Feeling MUCH better now - both physically and mentally.

Now that I have thought about the '72 package tray material further, I'm thinking that the last year of the mesh tray material was used on the Pontiac A-body was 1971. I know for certain that at least SOME '71 models used the mesh tray, as my friend's triple black '71 455 GTO had the mesh tray.

[MescaBug]

Lloyd,

Do you know the prod date of your friends car? My car is Oct 71.

[Lloyd-TX]

Originally Posted by MescaBug

Lloyd,

Do you know the prod date of your friends car? My car is Oct 71.

Sorry but no. Car is LONG gone, no record of the production date, VIN or any other data. He sold it to a mutual friend over 25 years ago.

Remember too - this was a 1971 model.

[MescaBug]

I hear you.

Funny how small details like that are sometimes hard to figure out

[MescaBug]

I just read in the AMES catalog, that cars with rear speakers or/and defroster came with the mesh package tray. Only front speaker in my car but I have the defroster.

That brings the question; does the mesh package tray with defroster has the small holes cut for the passenger side speaker even if not equipped?

Lloyd mentions that 72 cars have the vinyl tray... I'm lost, lol.

[Lloyd-TX]

Heck - my poor ol' memory is so fouled up now I shouldn't even post any longer!

[carguy66cars]

I have parted a lot of '72's and owned quite a few also. They all had the cardboard tray, the only vinyl is on the front lip of the tray where it meets the seat. The sound deadener goes down first and then the insulation. The cardboard tray will go down last and the vinyl strip will glue to the front of the speaker deck where the hooks for the top portion of the seat goes on the hooks. You are right on them coming with no cutout for the rear speaker! Have to do that yourself in you need it. I have seen the mesh tray put in some '72's just never had one that came with it! Hope this helps. As far as I know no one sells the correct insulation, but they do sell some that will work and you won't see it anyway.

Lyn.

[MescaBug]

Now we're talking.

So the cardboard is colored? I always thought it was blank cardboard covered in vinyl that matches the color of the trim! Previous owner of my car probably glued black vinyl over the original black cardboard tray.

Tar paper sound deadener, then jute padding, and then the cardboard with the vinyl lip that glues to the top shelf.

I already have some length of jute padding. How's the quality of the cardboard tray from AMES? Its got the vinyl lip, and the 'foam rubber padding'?

[PB]

72 rear package tray like Lyn said is always cardboard. I've never seen a factory 72 with one. My package tray was the same color as the interior, pewter, with pewter vinyl. My car was optioned with the stereo and has the rear speaker on the pass side with a pewter color grill. Stereo equipped cars had the front and rear speaker only. Rear was the right channel and front was the left.

Lyn, that tar paper looks like the sound deadener they put between the back seat and the trunk.

Here's some pics of my original and the repopped one from Legendary. Highly recommend Legendary repo trays. dead on.

[MescaBug]

Thanks for the pics Pat.

So I've got the correct tray in my car . Its cardboard covered with vinyl. I thought the lip on my package tray was leftover the previous owner didnt bother to trim. But its just like its suppose to be.

I can see the old paper and jute thru the trunk. That will need replacing. The cardboard is probably shot too...

[Lloyd-TX]

Originally Posted by carguy66cars

I have parted a lot of '72's and owned quite a few also. They all had the cardboard tray, the only vinyl is on the front lip of the tray where it meets the seat. The sound deadener goes down first and then the insulation. The cardboard tray will go down last and the vinyl strip will glue to the front of the speaker deck where the hooks for the top portion of the seat goes on the hooks. You are right on them coming with no cutout for the rear speaker! Have to do that yourself in you need it. I have seen the mesh tray put in some '72's just never had one that came with it! Hope this helps. As far as I know no one sells the correct insulation, but they do sell some that will work and you won't see it anyway.

Lyn.

Well there you go - a definitive answer from a guy who knows his '72s! Thanks for setting me straight, Lyn!

[MescaBug]

Thanks for the information! Everything posted was of great use

Even after all those years working on them, our cars still contain multitude of mysteries.

[bigborehunter]

My 1972 GTO came with custom int, rear speaker and rear defogger. package tray was original and in bad shape when bought the car. It was mesh style. cardboard underneath was painted black. Replaced it 6 years ago with very similar copy.

[PB]

Originally Posted by bigborehunter

My 1972 GTO came with custom int, rear speaker and rear defogger. package tray was original and in bad shape when bought the car. It was mesh style. cardboard underneath was painted black. Replaced it 6 years ago with very similar copy.

There you go.....never say never!

[MescaBug]

Yeah! I think the custom int, Sport and Luxury cars had the Mesh tray... Standard cars got the vinyl.

[MescaBug]

Looks like the vinyl is stitched to the cardboard? I can see stitch lines along the sides and rear section.

So its vinyl, cardboard, jute and some type of tar paper?