Topic: Vinyl roof A pillar seam location

[Oz390]

Installed a top on my GT/CS a while ago and did not look at this too carefully. 

The seam on the vinyl roof fell about 2" down the pillar.  Which seemed reasonable.

Went to install a second top a few days ago and it is cut in such a way that the seam has to fall almost at the upper windscreen molding.  Seems quite high on the pillar.

Does anyone have an OEM vinyl roof and can measure where the seam is in relation to the upper molding or post a photo?  Wondering if there is a "norm" or it just fell wherever the installer put it.

[sportyworty]

Not sure I follow the question but may be these are helpful? if not let me know and will post more. Factory top and paint 68 GT

[67gtasanjose]

Not sure I follow the question but may be these are helpful? if not let me know and will post more. Factory top and paint 68 GT

I believe he is saying the replacement tops have a seam on the post, not just the front to rear seam as your original top has.

...like what is in this picture at this page. http://www.scottlewisonline.com/images/67_mustang_coupe_red_on_black_vinyl_roof_1.jpg


Sent from my iPad

Richard

Installed a top on my GT/CS a while ago and did not look at this too carefully. 

The seam on the vinyl roof fell about 2" down the pillar.  Which seemed reasonable.

Went to install a second top a few days ago and it is cut in such a way that the seam has to fall almost at the upper windscreen molding.  Seems quite high on the pillar.

Does anyone have an OEM vinyl roof and can measure where the seam is in relation to the upper molding or post a photo?  Wondering if there is a "norm" or it just fell wherever the installer put it.

[sportyworty]

You are likely right. The OEM pic request is what I was not sure about?
Why not get some extra material and have it done as original?

[Oz390]

The low mile original I saw in Rick Schmidt's (CEO/owner NPD) collection had the seam.  I questioned it and he was fairly sure the top was original. NPD (yes, a vendor, but they do their homework... but are not always correct) indicated the seamed tops were also OEM.

Is this incorrect?

[ruppstang]

I have not seen the ones with the seam but can not say for sure that there was not a supplier that put a seam there. One thing to consider is a lot of dealers installed vinyl tops and may have used one seamed this way. The new owner would have not known the difference.
Marty

[Oz390]

OK, so who seels the top with no seam?  NPD does not... my primary vendor. 

What would the experts here use?  Need one ASAP.

[somethingspecial]

Richard, Look at this thread on San Jose nearing the final assy line, Photo 10559-4e.  It is a Cougar, but I would believe the tops were the same.  Can't get more original than this photo.  No seam.  Mike   http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=3956.0

[J_Speegle]

+1 on the no seam - I've got a couple of dozen ones that way

And don't forget the little brad/nail at the base of the A pillar for that factory look

have seen singles and doubles in 68

[67gtasanjose]

+1 on the no seam - I've got a couple of dozen ones that way

And don't forget the little brad/nail at the base of the A pillar for that factory look

have seen singles and doubles in 68

...and the brad nails at the top corners of the windshield

Are these nails re-usable? I haven't tried to pull any out yet.

[ruppstang]

What color is your top? I have a black one that I do not need. I will check it for the seam tomorrow.
Marty

[J_Speegle]

...and the brad nails at the top corners of the windshield

Only mentioned the lowers since they will be visible after the car is together but you are correct +1

Are these nails re-usable? I haven't tried to pull any out yet.

Would expect that you might tear off the head of these during removal - have pulled a few to take a look at them. Would instead just buy a box of new brads at the hardware store

[67gtasanjose]

Threads like this one, help us all so very much. Though I've had mt 67 since early 78, I've never known there was not supposed to be a seam there and would nave just put any supplied vinyl roof on again. My original roof had already been peeled off before I got the car. The roof was bare factory primer-sealer with a rough glue texture at the time.  I already knew about the brad nails (as Jeff called them) and I knew about the riveted drip rail steel strip.Underneath and around these items I discovered the original color of my roof was white (confirmed finally with a Marti Report earlier this year)  My example has a chrome strip that is over that riveted steel strip. I have seen other examples of 67's (and 68's) that had a vinyl roof but didn't have these items and no evidence (holes not present for the riveted strips) they came with these strips. I have rarely seen other examples that had these rivets or strips on them (though the southern California scene I lived in while identifying examples didn't really like vinyl roof too much because they sun-rotted too fast in that climate)

Maybe some clarity can be established here on different examples. Some may have been dealer or PO installed, I am sure. I understand from another thread, that the roof sail panels were not finished the same when leading the quarter panel to the roof panel, so the factory trim molding doesn't fit correctly on cars not intended to have a vinyl roof (on assembly line).

Richard

[67gtasanjose]

OK, so who seels the top with no seam?  NPD does not... my primary vendor. 

What would the experts here use?  Need one ASAP.

I know this is an old thread...I was looking in the 2015 NPD catalog this morning and on page 278, bottom right
NEW availability of the vinyl roof WITHOUT the seam for all years 65-73!

I am pleased things change for the better at times! Hopefully, the material and grain are a good quality match.

Richard

[krelboyne]

If you are looking for high quality vinyl material, with canvas backing instead of cotton, I would suggest contacting SMS Auto Fabrics. They also offer a texture that is very close to original.