ConcoursMustang Forums
1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1966 Mustang => Topic started by: hertz350 on January 25, 2022, 01:39:43 AM
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Did March 66 SJ built cars have the rubber cover over the floor headlight dimmer switch?
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NO, believe only convertibles had the rubber dimmer switch cover
regards
PHILL BERESFORD
MELBOURNE.
AUSTRALIA.
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NO, believe only convertibles had the rubber dimmer switch cover
+1, if I remember right, it is called out in the Ford assembly manual as a convertible (body code 76) item only.
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Thanks, guys.
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My question is why only convertibles?
I understand that the convertible has the extra sill on the inside...
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My question is why only convertibles?
I understand that the convertible has the extra sill on the inside...
My guess is for water/moisture protection in case it rains with the top in its stored (up? Down?) position.
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My guess is for water/moisture protection in case it rains with the top in its stored (up? Down?) position.
More like so your foot would not slip off the smooth metal top when wet. All of the other foot activated items like gas ,clutch, brake had rubber or plastic traction enabled surfaces.
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This "convertible only" detail has always puzzled me.
I own a convertible Mustang and wouldn't ever consider taking any chance of rain with the top down. Clearly, other people must leave their top down more than I do. I simply don't see the "why" behind this detail.
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Richard : I agree, that in "today's world" with our cars, chances of this happening are slim. However, "back in the day:, when our cars were sold as "Daily Drivers", Chances of this happening were much more prevalent. In the mid 60's and early 70's, I can't tell you how many times I got "caught" in my 57 Retractable with the top down, and one of those Midwest showers popped up.o frequently, that I kept a towel under the seat just to dry things off after I put the top up. However, once I Restored it in 1976, only once or twice do I remember getting "caught", and one of those was at a National Meet. So, Bob's first sentence in his Reply above, makes good sense.
There is also the case of being out the day after a rain, and stepping in a puddle just before entering your car. But this case seems to reinforce Bob's second sentence, which makes the case for, "why not every Model, not just convertibles" ?
In a quick look at my 66 and 67 Electrical Assembly Manuals, I did not see the rubber cover noted, It does, however, appear in the 1965-67 Parts and Accessories Catalogs (single year MPC's) and the 1960-68 and 1965-72 MPC's ; all list it for only Model 76 Mustang - Convertibles. The 1965-72 MPC shows it for all 1965-72 Mustang Convertibles.
Bob
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There is another possibility - esthetics, or appearances. The forward interior of an early Mustang convertible with its top down has roughly 180 degrees of visibility from the rear. The "ugly" metal of the foot actuated switch stood out like an ugly metal foot activated switch. The "rubber" cover made it less "ugly". Don't laugh. Ford made other decisions that are topics of discussion.
While we are discussing the "ugly" metal switch, did the factory carpet have a plastic ring in the hole for the switch; or was it just a "hole"; or was it stitched like a "button hole"?
Jim
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No grommets were used nor was the hole stitched. Just a raw hole cut in the carpet, at least it is the way in our unrestored 68 San Jose HCS coupe.
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+1 to marty's reply. nothing fancy there.
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No grommets were used nor was the hole stitched. Just a raw hole cut in the carpet, at least it is the way in our unrestored 68 San Jose HCS coupe.
Which is what I thought, it's not an "option", thanks.
Jim
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The decorative ring first seems to have appeared with the first replacement carpets of the 80's so even cars with very old looking carpet can be found with this detail and can often be a first or quick suggestion that the carpet has been replaced.
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Convertibles had inner rocker panels, so it most likely had to do with the position of the switch.