Topic: Convertible Top Bow Locating Gauge Issue

[66RavenGTCoupeAgain]

Hi all,
So I have made two timber gauges as per page 18-32 of the 1965 Comet, Falcon, Fairlane and Mustang shop manual to locate the #2, #3 and #4 bows of our 65 convertible but when I install it into position the coat hook hole is about 1/2 an inch off! I've checked the dimensions 100 times on several different days and had 3 other guys check them too. The bows fit into it perfectly but I just can't get the hole to line up. See the picture below for clarification.
Anyone else had this issue? Were the coat hook holes manufactured in different positions at some stage?
(Sept 20 1964 Scheduled Build at SJ)

[Berns]

Hello,

While this topic is a tad old, I would like to know how you solved this.

Kind regards,
Berns

66 San Jose CA  GT Convertible
Sauterne Gold with Deluxe Ivy Gold & White Int White Top
289 A Code C4 Tinted Windows (Green), original factory 8-track AM
6R08A1174## Oct 65 Build

[66RavenGTCoupeAgain]

I read that others had experienced the same thing so I made a screw with a sharp tip instead of a head. I screwed that into the coat hook mounting hole and pressed the timber gauge into it to mark the correct position to drill my new hole. I then put both gauges together to make sure that the holes were in the same spot

[Berns]

Nice. That sounds like a working solution.

Is there a picture of the finished result available?

[66RavenGTCoupeAgain]

Sure!

[Berns]

What a nice car!
I was actually looking for a picture of the finished product, from the inside of the top, more particularly with a view on the coat hooks.

[Flade]

It is well documented that the manual description for the jig is incorrect.  No one has published a corrected copy that I am aware of.   Over on the Vintage Mustang Forum, there was a member from Australia who was writing a book on restoring Mustang Convertible tops.  Unfortunately he passed away before finish8ng, but he had gathered a massive amount of information and shared it with many members of the VMF.  I have a copy stashed away somewhere. Planning to restore mine later this year.