In late 2021, and earlier this year, there were two different Sellers on Ebay that had Ford NOS, 1965-66 Mustang C5ZZ-76501A, Tonneau Covers for sale. As my NOS 1967 one was missing some of the attaching parts (in particular, the Hold Down Straps which appear to be the same as 1965-66), I contacted each Seller three different times, requesting measurements of the leather attaching straps. After receiving no replies from either Seller for over a month, I decided to Post my request in our "Wanted" Section.
Whether it was coincidence, or the fact that both may have read my "Wanted Ad" here, I received replies from both (through Ebay) within two days of Posting my Ad here, with the dimensions I needed.
The only Reply that I received on my Ad here was from Richard (67gtasanjose) ; "I'd be curious to see more images and information about this cover (perhaps it needs it's own thread)"
Well, I have finally gotten around to doing this thread on "Ford Tonneau Covers - 1956 to 1973".
First a little History of Ford Tonneau Covers.
As best that I can tell, the first Tonneau Covers (or as Ford called them "Dust and Tonneau Cover") that Ford contracted to have made for them, were for the 1956 Thunderbirds. There were of course aftermarket Tonneau Covers available going back to the 30's. Ford Dealers could have, and many probably did, sell these aftermarket covers through their Parts Department. However, I believe that the ones for the 1956 Thunderbird (which of course would also fit the 1955 Thunderbirds as they both have virtually the same cockpit), are the first ones that Ford had made just for them.
It appears that initially, the 1956 Thunderbird Tonneau Covers were only available as a Factory Option. I say this because they are listed in the October 1955 Thunderbird Sales Brochure as such, but are not listed in either the 1955-56 Chassis Parts and Accessories Catalog (printed September of 1955), nor in the 1956 Ford Accessories Catalog (copyright 1955). They did show up later in the year as an Accessory Kit. Whether this was prompted by 56 owners who did not initially order this Option for their car, or (more likely) by 1955 owners who didn't have that Option but seeing it now available, wanted to add it, I don't know.
Ford went all out with the 1956 Option, offering it in several colors, and even suggesting what color Tonneau Cover to purchase with what Interior Trim that one had :
Red Cover - Use with Red & White Vinyl Trim
Peacock Cover - Use with Turquoise or Dark Green & White Vinyl Trim
Green Cover - Use with Green & White Vinyl Trim
Brown Cover - Use with Brown & White Vinyl Trim
Black Cover - Use with Black & White Vinyl Trim
The Tonneau Covers were a heavy canvas, similar to the Convertible Tops.
Each of the above sold as a Kit for $28.65 (plus installation if desired).
Of interest is that the Tonneau Covers for 1956 did not include one in White.
For 1957, with the re-designed body, Ford also had to re-design the Tonneau Cover. Unlike 1956, the 1957 Tonneau Covers were only available in Black, White and Red. Yet like 1956, they were available as both a Factory Option (for $35.00, installed), or as an Accessory Kit (for $25.20). Interestingly, in 1957, the price for the 1956 Tonneau Cover Kits were also reduced to the same $25.20.
Like 1956, the 1957 Tonneau Covers were also made of the same canvas material as the Convertible Tops.
Attached are copies of the 1956 and 1957 Thunderbird Sales Brochures showing the Tonneau Covers, and also the Installation Drawing from the 1957 Factory Assembly Manual.
Both the material and cost of the Ford Tonneau Covers then begs the question as to why someone would pay virtually the same price for a less heavy duty cover (vinyl, not canvas) as were offered by aftermarket vendors such as JC Whitney, and others ? A copy of a page from the 1959 JC Whitney catalog is attached.
After 1957, Ford took a short "hiatus" from the "Tonneau Cover business". Then, in 1962, Ford again offered cloth (canvas) Tonneau Cover Kit (as an Accessory, not a Factory Option) for the Thunderbird, but only in Black or White. Also at this time, the Part Number, which for 1957 had been B7S-18650 (an Accessory Group Number), now became C2SZ-501A42 (a Soft Trim Group Number). In 1963, Besides the Thunderbird, Tonneau Cover Kits were also available for Ford Full Size and Falcon Convertibles, also only in Black or White. The list price for each was now $52.70.
With the re-design of the Thunderbird for 1964, Ford elected not to re-design a soft Tonneau Cover for the 1964 (and later) Thunderbirds. However, Ford still offered Tonneau Cover Kits for the Full Size Ford and Falcon Convertibles. The Kits were still priced at $52.70.
Enter the Mustang. In 1965, Ford added the Mustang Accessory Tonnneau Cover Kit, as well as those for Full Size Ford and Falcon Convertibles. An interesting side note here is that Ford re-designed the Tonneau Cover for the 1965 Full Size Fords, while they hadn't done so for the 1964 Thunderbirds. They most likely decided that the Thunderbird potential market wasn't large enough to warrant a re-design.
Once again, the 1965 Kits were available in only Black or White. They all continued to be priced at $52.70 each.
The 1966 Model Year was identical to 1965 as far as Tonneau Cover Kits.
For 1967, Ford was able to continue using the C5AZ Kit for the Full Size Fords, but had to re-design the Kit for the Mustang. Ford also elected to eliminate any further re-designs of the Falcon Tonneau Cover Kits for 1967, and beyond.
The 1967 Kits again were available only in Black or White. Ford also reduced the price of the 1967 Kits to $50.55, and at the same time, reduced the price of the C5 Kits to the same.
For 1968, the only Tonneau Cover Kit shown as available, was for the Mustang. This was the last Tonneau Cover Kit for an occupant compartment, that Ford listed, at least through 1973. I have attached pictures from the 1965-68 Ford Accessory Catalogs, as well as a copy of the Installation Instructions for the 1965-66 Mustang Tonneau Covers for your information. Also is a picture of a complete, NOS 1965-66 Kit, borrowed from an Ebay listing. I am still looking for the Installation Instruction Sheet for the 1967 Mustang Tonneau Cover (I.S. 2271), so, if anyone reading this has one, please Post it here or send me a PM.
There were "storage compartment" Tonneau Cover Kits listed for the 1970-72 Rancheros.
There you go ; Ford Tonneau Covers - 1956-1973. Hope this "covers" it.
Bob
