I found this rear shelf in an '89 244. The black strip is wood that has been nicely shaped with chamfers. It was mounted with metric screws and nuts through the metal of the rear shelf. It has two black leather straps with "female" snaps. Mounted on the shelf behind the wood strip were two "male" snaps. It doesn't appear that the straps were meant to snap to the shelf, though they will. However, in that configuration, the straps are upside down with raw leather showing. It is possible that the strip was reversed; in which case the leather straps would snap "right-side up". Along the length of the wood strip are 5 twist connectors. They were often used on tops and tonneau covers of English Cars. There IT is. WHAT is IT?????

Hi!

So far I've seen that "stick" in 3 cars here in SE VA (Yorktown area). In all cases the cars had been originally owned by a law enforcement organization (MD State Patrol if I remember).

One of these (an 83) is currently at Ross Auto Parts in Hampton VA. Other "unique" equipment on this car included rubber floor mats, flashlight (or night-stick?) holders on the door pockets, oversize dome light, flexi-stalk map lights over the front doors, and an auto-trans w/ cooler.

I saw an 85 version at a local salvage yard ("Sports and Imports") before that. This one was fitted out pretty much the same, except that it had a B21FT with factory intercooler. Didn't know what it was then, and somebody bought the whole car before I could get back there.

Both of these cars were the medium (non-metallic) blue, had 14" steel wheels, and what appeared to be standard sway bars, shocks, and differentials.

The third one was white, and was at the Ft Eustis AutoCrafts Shop. It belonged to a soldier, and was equipped much like the 83.

As far as what the "stick" was for, I thought maybe it was to hold the "official" (i.e., flashing blue) lights in place. There were a couple other folks on the board that have run across similar cars, so maybe they can add???

Regards,

Steve A- (3x83+91=700,000+ miles)

--
Steve Anderson (3 x 83 + 91 = 700k+ miles)

Loop the dog leash over the strap and then fasten the snap - then Fido can't roam around the car? How's that for a shot in the dark!

I would have to guess that it is custom made by someone, because if it was a mass produced piece (either factory or aftermarket), chances are that that wood strip would be made of metal or plastic, especially considering the fact that the car is not that old.

Maybe a cover of some kind to cover the rear seat area. Or a sunshade contraption. I hope someone else knows!

Greg

Well.. that is the 'rear deck' from a 240 series Volvo. the snaps you are seeing is where the rear bench seat back connects to the top of the shelf. You would see that peice in use if you were to look through the back window of a 240 sedan - however there would normally be speakers mounted on it!

Jeff