'68 T-top question

[Dave F.]

Do all T-tops have a small lip on the leading edge that fits over the windshield, or was this feature limited to early years and newer ones are simply smooth? Unfortunately I have one of each

[Jack C.]

Re: '68 T-top question

My January 68 car has the stainless edge hanging over the windshield chrome on both tops.

[Michael G.]

Re: '68 T-top question

My 71 has the same as Jack's.
Mike

[Dave F.]

Re: '68 T-top question

Jack/Michael: Thanks for reminding me that trim goes on this edge

[Alan S.]

Re: '68 T-top question

Hi Dave,
Since the front piece of SS trim is 'crimped' in place I ended up not taking mine off when the tops were painted. I'd be interested in hearing how you deal with putting yours back on. Thanks a lot!!!
Regards,
Alan

[Dave F.]

Re: '68 T-top question

Hi Dave,
Since the front piece of SS trim is 'crimped' in place I ended up not taking mine off when the tops were painted. I'd be interested in hearing how you deal with putting yours back on. Thanks a lot!!!
Regards,
Alan

Alan,

Finding the trim will be my first order of business and then what follows is a good guess at this point in time. Since it has been over 2 years since I last saw my T-Tops in tact, I can't remember how they looked (obviously since I forgot about the trim until yesterday). I am armed with lots of publications around my shop and a good imagination.......and I might be posing the question on here at some point in time. I may be writing my first Restorer article (or not) but will definitely let you know how it went. Cheers!

Dave

[Warren F.]

Re: '68 T-top question

Dave,

Your question intrigues me. I have owned 9 early C3's and I have never heard of any tops having "a lip". The contour of the roof shell is smooth all the way to the edge on the inside. I just can't seem to imagine what your referring to?

[Dave F.]

Re: '68 T-top question

Dave,

Your question intrigues me. I have owned 9 early C3's and I have never heard of any tops having "a lip". The contour of the roof shell is smooth all the way to the edge on the inside. I just can't seem to imagine what your referring to?

Warren,

If you were to remove the stainless trim from the front edge of your top, it would reveal the lip I am discussing. Apparently it accomodates the crimping of the trim piece, preventing the trim from pulling off easily.

[Warren F.]

Re: '68 T-top question

Thanks for the clarification. I actually ruined the front stainless crimped piece on one of my tops years ago. It has taken me almost two years to locate some NOS pieces. I finally secured a right and left piece. The roof panels didn't have a noticeable lip. The front stainless piece has a rubber seal that is crimped on by the stainless trim being folded back over it. The front stainless trim itself fits on the front edge of the roof panel just by compression, I don't see any type of lip on the edge of the panels.

I believe re-installing this trim piece would be a bear, if the roof panels had too much thickness to the paint layers.