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Hardtop done at at home awaiting winter

Brosky

Great Pumpkin
Offline
Not that I want winter to come, but I am liking the idea of putting this top on. Allan finished it up this afternoon and delivered it to my house in his pickup. This is what it looks like with the weatherstrips and moldings on.

hardtop114.jpg


The seal or weatherstrip that goes here will not be installed until it's time to mount the top.

hardtop115.jpg


Eddie from J.T. Leddy did a great job on the headliner and Allan did a great job on the rest of it.

hardtop116.jpg


Allan fit all of the new weatherstrips and seals so that everything matches and fits perfectly.


hardtop117.jpg


These will each get the final trim after the hardtop is installed in the fall, after the glasses are fit and the top is bolted down.

hardtop118.jpg


What can't be seen is the insulation shown in earlier pictures that should make this a nice warm and quiet ride in the fall.

hardtop119.jpg


These seams are held up by the three rods that go across the top shown earlier. If you buy a top, make sure they are included as they are NLA.

hardtop120.jpg


The trimmed down stand is now all set to go with the larger wheels and relocated side support panels.

hardtop121.jpg


The rear seal is glued in place and waiting bolt down.

hardtop122.jpg


These are a little tricky to get in the track without butchering them up. Then you have to work it all along the back.

hardtop123.jpg


This is the other end of the seal. It will also be trimmed at final installation.

hardtop124.jpg


Continued in the next frame.
 
The rest of the story:

Allan did a nice job fitting the door glass seals to the top.

hardtop125.jpg


These ends will also get a final trim at install and they may not need it after sitting for a few months.

hardtop126.jpg


I'm glad I went with the off white, rather than the black. I think that it will brighten the interior with the top on.

hardtop127.jpg


The guys on 6-Pack say these vents are the same a s the GT6, in case you're trying to find them somewhere.

hardtop128.jpg


I got my final warning from Allan after he delivered it to my house today. DO NOT attempt to install this alone.

He's going to do it and fit the windshield and door glasses to match it. That's just fine with me. :yesnod:
 
Paul,

Really beautiful work!

I am curious since your car looks so nice if there's any issue with paint wear/damage due to vibration between the hardtop seal and the body around the rear deck? I know that Ford provided clear removable plastic strips for the new T'bird's to protect against this. I think Xpel and 3M make similar products.

Scott
 
Scott,

Thank you for that tip. I have to take my Ford in for service in the next few weeks and I will ask the dealership what they have for the Birds. It can't hurt and I'll post the pictures when I do the installation write up.

Thanks again.
 
Paul,

Ford is very proud of the strips they sell. I believe they are $185 for a set of 3 (enough for 3 seasons). Someone in the T-bird community got a company in Dallas to makes aftermarket sets for $25.00 each ($17.00 for each additional set) using the Xpel product, but I haven't tried them yet.

Scott
 
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