Preparing to install the package tray and the rear seat brace...permanently.
This picture shows where all the original holes are drilled in the package tray for mounting purposes.
Here you can see that there's a brace that rivets to the body of the car and then the package is rivets to it.
Since I wanted to keep the original holes and not drill new ones, I temporarily attached the underside brace to the package tray. I then placed the whole package tray on top of the car as if it was already attached. I marked the body of the car at the end of the brace with a line so I could later use the brace as a guide to drill new holes in the body. This will allow me to drill through the brace using the original rivet mounting points. Talk about OCD...jeez!
Here are all the holes drilled in the body.
Here is the brace riveted in place.
The Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe originally had the rivets installed from the top going through into the truck. Since rivets are usually sharp and flare out when they are installed I chose to install them from the bottom upward. This will keep things you throw in the trunk safer (as well as your hands) from getting scratched.
Now that the brace is installed to locate the package tray on top of the trunk opening, I've drilled some holes in the body to attach the package tray in the sides. These holes will act as "spot welds" when they are welded from the bottom.
I'm thinking about drilling some more holes out between each of the holes I've alredy drilled. That would give it plenty of strength to keep it from popping loose.
Welding inside the holes from the bottom-side to the package tray will hold everything in place permanently. Welding in the holes is called "plug welding".