Topic: Fastback Interior upper garnish moldings

[Angela]

Concerning the upper headliner / rear window trim panels (I've heard them called "garnish moldings"), can anyone tell me if the panel shown in this picture is OEM or aftermarket? I think this thing is a repro because I don't think I've seen original moldings with the features circled in red. That said, maybe some originals had these features and I just haven't seen them until now???   
What I can say for sure is that this particular panel doesn't fit well AT ALL in my '67. These panels were included, yet already removed when I acquired the car, therefore I cannot know they were ever in this car.

Also, if anyone has any photos of original panels installed and/or advice installing them I would appreciate it. It seems nearly impossible and highly improbable one can locate the original holes in the roof brackets, since the headliner makes it impossible to feel the holes. My fear is that I'll drill new holes too close to the original holes and then the screws won't hold.

[J_Speegle]

............. It seems nearly impossible and highly improbable one can locate the original holes in the roof brackets, since the headliner makes it impossible to feel the holes. My fear is that I'll drill new holes too close to the original holes and then the screws won't hold.

Will look but can't guarantee any from inside the car looking up. Sure don't recall any.

As for the holes - this is the reason some leave the screws in the holes (loose) so that they holes can be located after the headliner is installed. Lacking that I can normally find them by touch then taking an awl or large straight pin   and then a silver fine sharpie mark the holes for the installation

[TLea]

Those look like original panels to me. The fit is sometimes good, sometimes not so. You have to remember in the welding stations there were tolerances that could literally make one car 1/2" wider than another. Ever wonder why some trunk gaps are 1/8" and others 3/8" knowing that the trunk lids are all the same? As far as holes follow Jeff's advice

[67gta289]

I found one picture (below) of an installed pair.  I can head out to the shop and take some pics of the square notch details if you need them.

For installation it should be pretty straightforward.  The panels slip over the sail panels, and follow the rear glass. The panels will rest on the glass rubber weatherstrip.

The one panel with square notches ends up with the notches in the center of the roof/window  The panel with four holes lays on top.  In the end you can visually see 6 screws, 2 on each end and 2 in the center.

Here is an alternative approach to pricking and marking the headliner. 

1. Using the sail panel as a guide, prick and find the holes there.
2. Take the panel with four holes (not the notched one) and run the two known screws in half way.
3. Line the panel up with the rear glass.
4. Using the panel as a guide, prick through the holes to find the screw hole close to the glass.  Should not be far away.
5. Install that screw just enough to stay in, then you might be able to slip the notched panel above it.
6. Find the two holes near the sail panel, then the other center one away from the rear glass, and after that should be smooth sailing.

There are a lot of ways to skin a cat.  I'm thinking that using the panel as your guide it will get you to within 1/4", probably better, of your destination.

[Angela]

Thanks for the advice guys. Boy do I feel stupid... I remembered to leave the scres installed at the sun visors and rear view mirror, yet totally failed to do so here at these upper panels. Dang. I've tried to feel the original holes through the headliner but cannot.

Anyway, please not this additional picture, which is of another pair of the exact same panels I recently purchased. Notice this panel does not have the "tabs" in the driver's side part, whereas the panel in my first post does. I checked ebay and found two more exactly like this one.... original parts withOUT these tabs. This is one of the main reasons I figured the part with the tabs was a repro.

So, what's going on here? Where they made with and without the tabs?

[67gta289]

Here's an extra set that I have laying around, pulled from a junkyard, car parked in the mid 70s.  VIN 7F02S2099xx.  Tabs are in place. 

I would think that the tabs will provide a positive stop, preventing them from being drawn in too far.

[Angela]

Thanks for the pictures. Dang, I wonder what I just bought (the set without the tabs)!?!?!   I have no idea if both types were manufactured.

[Angela]

Anyone have a picture of these panels installed in an unrestored car? Or perhaps could at least comment on the fitment between the metal upper garnish moldings and each fiberglass upper quarter panel molding (with the vent slider opening)? I was able to find all six original screw holes through my headliner and I proceeded to test-fit the metal garnish moldings.  I used the (perhaps) original pair (which I was questioning whether or not they were ford parts) as well as a pair that someone in this forum was kind enough to sell me, so that I had two pair to compare and ensure I was using original Ford parts.

In both cases, the fitment between the fiberglass and metal panels is horrific. I can see the marks in the fiberglass which leads me to believe they fit horribly from the day they were installed in SanJose. It's frustrating (for me) to leave it like that, but I suspect they looked terrible from day one and thus I'm inclined to leave it as-is. Before I do so,  I'd love to see a few more examples indicating factory fitment in this area.

[67gta289]

Sorry to hear that. This is all I have in my collection: