Convertible Top Disassembly and Resto

 

I've been putting off the convertible top, but now we're getting down to the end game here and the top has to be done.  It is also, arguably, one of the toughest items to faithfully restore and install properly. I've started refurbishing the original parts in preparation for install, which is probably a month off yet.  This preparatory work includes restoring the front header (#1) convertible top bow.  This is the early style with the round top handle pivot which is held in place by a roll pin.  

 

The original chrome parts will be removed and re-plated prior to assembly.

The latch handles will be stripped and repainted along with all other painted parts on the #1 bow assembly.  Paint has already been matched with original.  Note original Ford engineering numbers on the handle and the latch hook pivot base.  The handle is a bit loose on the handle pivot, but still very functional which would be okay to leave as is for most restorations, but not for this car.  When the handle pivots are reassembled with the original hardware, the tightness of the pivot will be restored like it was originally.  This is critical to the #1 bow to header weatherstrip being air tight, especially at highway speeds.

 

The design of bow #1 and the way that the top material wraps around it makes it is susceptible to water intrusion and staying wet for a while after exposure to water.  This is especially true if the top has been replaced - many restorers do not follow the original top installation procedures and they make the problem even worse. Fortunately this bow has its original top pads still attached from the factory with the factory gaffers tape wrapped around it.  

 

 It survived really well with just a little bit of water infiltration at some point in time (indicated by a couple of rusty screw heads that attach the LH top pad to the #1 bow). 

 

The top pads are still attached to all of the bows as they were from the Ford Utica assembly plant with the unique small width staples. 

 

With a little luck, the top will go back on just as it did from the factory since the bows are set in place by the factory attached pads.  Note that the #2, 3, and 4 bows are satin black while the rest of the assembly is semigloss.  The padding between #3 and #4 is original from the factory and will be reused, seen on other convertibles of this period.

 

Factory handwriting on the RH top pad.  The number 326 above the date 6-12-64 is thought to be an identifier for the Utica assembly plant worker where the top frames were assembled, not a rotation number as you might first guess. This car's rotation number is 358 (a sequential number used to track the car and many of its parts during assembly).  LH pad also has handwriting int he same area but is not fully legible - though it also appears to have a 3  digit number starting with 3 and a date below it.

Once the #1 bow is cleaned and repainted a new tack strip will be riveted in place as it was originally and the whole assembly will look like it did the day the car left the factory. 

 

The original top pads for this period of production are unique in their texture and are extremely difficult to find in good usable condition.  They also have a plastic reinforcement strip where they attache to the front bow.  These are in really good shape and need only a little TLC to make them like new again.

Also appear to have the original rear window zipper. 

 

Note the loop and the 3 digit identifier (347) stamped on it.  This will clean up really nicely and then will be reinstalled.