Topic: '65 Convertible Top Listings?

[Skyway65]

I’d like to bring up a topic that I know has been discussed before concerning the bow listings, or lack thereof on original ’65 convertible tops.  I have recently disassembled my original top and there appear to be no attachments of the top to the bows, just the pads (as seen the photos) for the top to rest on. I realize that the listings are necessary to prevent ballooning but it really seems that there is nothing here to hold the top fabric to the bows. 

Was there a kind of glue that was used to hold the top to the bow?  Or, did Ford really produce a top with no listings?  I’m ready to put the top on the car and I want to order the correct one-with or without bow listings.  I’m not worried about ballooning, as I don’t plan on driving this car at all; authenticity is what I’m striving for.  Comments please!

[bryancobb]

I just looked in Richard Smykay's book and I'm almost positive the listing rod pockets come already bonded to a new top.
I'm sure you are putting a new top on, so it should have the listing pockets already bonded?

[Skyway65]

Bryan--That's true-BUT-were there some original tops--mine?!- that didn't have any listings?

[bryancobb]

I'm 99.9999% sure that ALL originals has them (unless of course a bad mistake was made on the assembly line).

There is ANOTHER important reason they are needed, even more important than ballooning!
That is, for the top to fold properly into the the receiving area, the listings must pull the top into a zig-zag.

My guess is...if your's didn't have them, they came unglued due to the heat of the sun and the P.O. chunked them.

[Skyway65]

Well thanks for that Bryan.  Maybe I'm trying to climb a mountain that doesn't exist.  I was planning on ordering the top today and wanted to get it right. 

[68 S Code]

If your bows have screws to hold listing strips than there would have been listings. The pic you show has screws so the listing strip is holding the screws from falling out. I have a 64 1/2 top at home and will check it for you when I get back in two days. If the early one has them I doubt they would have been deleted. The 67 and 68 tops I've restored all had the strips and screws. This customer 64 1/2 is different but more so at the connections of side rail components.

[68 S Code]

By the way did this vert have a white or black top? If white pm me to discuss the original white color. Many white tops out there have an incorrect looking white vinyl fabric.

[Skyway65]

PM sent

[68 S Code]

Although I am not 100% sure for an early top pre 67'the pads shown in the first pic you posted Gary does not look original. The original pad is not that material makeup in 67/68. Looked more like thin vinyl. Now that I think about it almost like what was glued to the side panels below the rear 1/4 windows. Visible face was black but reverse side was white.

[Skyway65]

It is the original top, pads, rear window and everything else.  When I took it apart there were only one set of staple holes in the tacking strips.   No evidence of it ever having been apart before.

[Oz390]

Old post I just saw. 

Not sure if you sorted this or not... but in your photos above there is a screw in the bow.  Remove the screw and I'd be willing to bet that you will find a listing rod.  If the top was not bonded it would logically make little sense to screw the rod and pocket and pad into the bows, and not bond this to the top.

My thinking would be over the years, if the top is orginal thats 40+ years, the glue bonding the pocket to the top failed, or it was just not one properly to begin with...  The install of the pad material on Bow 2(or maybe its 3) shown is also odd.  Never seen the pad-over-a-pad before, but have not seen many very early tops, maybe a palnt or year variation I am unaware of 9as this is an area of restoation that is pretty much untouched territory, thus my book effort... still in process... ).

What did you find when you removed the "pad" from the bows?  Photos?

[Skyway65]

Hi Richard- 

The new top has been ordered and it’s scheduled to go Aug 29.  The question of the listings/pads and securing the top to the bows was solved up until the time I spoke with the guy who’s going to be putting the new top on.  He is an old time trim guy and he can recall at least two other original ‘65 Mustangs with the same type issue that I have-no bonding of the top to the bows.  That’s when I started thinking about this all over again. 

This really is a crazy hobby when you can get caught up with the smallest details, trying to get it all just right.  So for now the question is answered, as it had been originally, the glue, or whatever, has simply come undone after 45 years, unless of course someone has some new info to add!    Gary