Rubber Straps What are they for?

[Nitrate]

1981. 2000. There are two rubber straps on either side of the rear seat attached to the moulded plastic panel. What are they for?. RB

[RRoller123]

I believe that they are supposed to stretch back across the car and hold down the top boot cover when it is installed. There should be 2 hooks outside on the rear deck just behind the top.

[joelittel]

I use them to hold the top down snug under the boot cover. Never thought to try it the other way.

[GeorgeT]

They are to hold the top down if the boot cover isn't in place. Supposedly to keep the top from raising up under hard/sudden braking.

[lglade]

Here's a screen shot from an owner's guide showing how Fiat intended them to be used:

[RRoller123]

My mistake, I stand corrected. Have never used them anyway.

[4uall]

[joelittel]

Some beautiful leather straps might be a cool cosmetic upgrade...

[ebrown0104]

This makes so much sense. I thought they were supposed to reach back to the chrome hooks on the rear deck, but it always seemed like they were about 6 inches too short to do that, so I just never used them.

[DieselSpider]

Keeps the latches from rattling too.

[Nitrate]

Photo worth a thousand. Could not be more true in this case. Useful to all. Thanks for posting. RB