60 convertable top

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guy7981
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2014 7:09 pm

60 convertable top

Post by guy7981 »

1960 convertible top front chrome piece part ( 51325 ) I think, has several hold down bolt clips , on mine the last one on each end was brazed , is this normal or did the person whom replaced my canvas top with vinyl 42 tears ago do this . trying to take for chroming . this restoration started as one thing is evolving into a much better place. and does anyone have an opinion on replacing the relays with electronic version ?
partsetal
Posts: 18
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2010 9:50 am

Re: 60 convertable top

Post by partsetal »

I've seen these clips brazed on several pieces of stainless top header trim, and presumed it was factory to assure positioning of the trim.
guy7981
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2014 7:09 pm

Re: 60 convertable top

Post by guy7981 »

does any one know were to find these clips I think the part is # BAP 7650363
partsetal
Posts: 18
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2010 9:50 am

Re: 60 convertable top

Post by partsetal »

You have to modify universal body clips that have the center threaded post. An auto body supply store is a good place to start, also Restoration Specialties.
guy7981
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2014 7:09 pm

Re: 60 convertable top

Post by guy7981 »

need opinion on best places to buy a new top ,thinking maybe going back with canvas, as it was originally.
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Alan H. Tast
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Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2003 10:52 pm
Location: Omaha, NE

Re: 60 convertible top

Post by Alan H. Tast »

guy7981 wrote:need opinion on best places to buy a new top ,thinking maybe going back with canvas, as it was originally.
Canvas was not factory-installed on T-birds - vinyl was used for most tops '58-'60 with rayon used for black tops. If you have a canvas top it was installed by a previous owner. I had a follow-up response re. tops/lining for '58-'60 but that was lost with the Forum server crash of Nov. 3-13 2014 that I'll have to recreate in order to document what tops/lining colors were listed in Soft Trim Catalogs of the period.
Last edited by Alan H. Tast on Tue Nov 18, 2014 9:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Alan H. Tast, AIA
Technical Director/Past President,
Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l.
Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years"
1963 Hardtop & 1963 Sports Roadster
Royce Richmond
Posts: 257
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2011 6:22 pm

Re: 60 convertable top

Post by Royce Richmond »

I am putting a top on my 60 and found the outer holes on the chrome trim in front each had a clip in them with a nut on them. They were not brazed. I also found that there are two pieces of weatherstrips on the header bow. All the diagrams show only one, the large 'U' shaped one. There were reminents of another strip that was riveted to the leading edge. anyone else have this one on their top? This darned cold weather has stopped my top installation until later this week. It was 89 degrees when I started. Now only 3/4 done....Brrrrrrrrrr.
Royce
guy7981
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2014 7:09 pm

Re: 60 convertable top

Post by guy7981 »

Thanks Alan , when I purchased the car in April 1971 , it had the original black top (canvas ) and the owner told me that’s how it came, it also had a galaxy steering wheel ,which was huge, and galaxy hub caps.
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