63 conv. top color

[Bill W.]

I am finishing up a Red /Red 63 300 hp Conv. I have the orig. top bows but there is no hint of the color it came with . My question , is there a way to tell what color it would have came with ? I have a Authentication book but I dont understand all that ecl stuff . I would like to put a tan top on but I also want it to be correct...My ECL # behind the trim is 490"M" and behind the paint is 923"A"

Net question WHO makes the best conv. tops with a tag ,date and correct interior ,exterior colors . Thanks .....Bill

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 conv. top color

I am finishing up a Red /Red 63 300 hp Conv. I have the orig. top bows but there is no hint of the color it came with . My question , is there a way to tell what color it would have came with ? I have a Authentication book but I dont understand all that ecl stuff . I would like to put a tan top on but I also want it to be correct...My ECL # behind the trim is 490"M" and behind the paint is 923"A"

Net question WHO makes the best conv. tops with a tag ,date and correct interior ,exterior colors . Thanks .....Bill

Don't any info in front of me but what were the options for top color? Not so sure tan was a choice in '63.

[Bill W.]

Re: 63 conv. top color

HI Michael . The NCRS pocket guide shows black as the base top the c05 option colored top was white or beige .

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 conv. top color

Bill, I believe that you could have any color that was avalible blk,white or tan.I If you don't have the window sticker or order sheet I think you will never know.When I restored my 63,there was evidence of the original color on the front header bar.there were many left over staples with parts of the top still there.By the way my conv. was Red/Red with a White top. I think any of the colors are a match for the Red and look good, Its your choice. Ed

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 conv. top color

HI Michael . The NCRS pocket guide shows black as the base top the c05 option colored top was white or beige .

Bill,

My '66 was one of the few that received a beige convertible top. Contrasts very nicely with the Nassau Blue paint.....a lot of "pop". My top of choice was a Al Knoch top. I did the install myself with the top fitting very snuggly. Should you chose to do the install yourself be sure to have a look at the Al Knoch installation DVD......many helpful hints. Let me now if you need any help.

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 conv. top color

Bill,

My '66 was one of the few that received a beige convertible top. Contrasts very nicely with the Nassau Blue paint.....a lot of "pop". My top of choice was a Al Knoch top. I did the install myself with the top fitting very snuggly. Should you chose to do the install yourself be sure to have a look at the Al Knoch installation DVD......many helpful hints. Let me now if you need any help.

I used the Al knoch video on my 63 and the top Came out great and I had never installed a top before. And also used a Al Knoch dated top.

[Larry M.]

Re: 63 conv. top color

Bill, I believe that you could have any color that was avalible blk,white or tan.I If you don't have the window sticker or order sheet I think you will never know.When I restored my 63,there was evidence of the original color on the front header bar.there were many left over staples with parts of the top still there.By the way my conv. was Red/Red with a White top. I think any of the colors are a match for the Red and look good, Its your choice. Ed

I agree. For 1963 car you will need the original window sticker or order copy......no tank sticker yet. I recommend an Al Knoch top. White will look very nice with your red/red car.

Larry

[Rob M.]

Re: 63 conv. top color

Bill,

Without the paperwork others have mentioned, it is very hard to tell what it came with from the factory. The choice is yours. I just spent a couple of days on the National Road Tour driving down Hwy 1 from Half Moon Bay to San Diego with a red/red 63 FI car that had a white top - looked awesome.

If you plan on installing the top yourself (even if you don't), I would HIGHLY recommend you read and print/copy the information provided at the Nationals by Jeff Reade on installing tops. If you don't do it yourself, I would give a copy to your installer to read/follow. There is a link/post (sticky) at the top of the TDB on the subject.

Good luck

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 conv. top color

So, is the code for color listed on the window sticker and order? I don't recall seeing that and I know we didn't specify when ordering. Mine came with a black top which I changed to white in about 1976 or so. I didn't do a great job because I had so much frame repairs to make that I took off both pads and lost my spacing (missed by about 3/8"). I had to practically reconstruct my front header and tacking strip.

Stu Fox

[Larry M.]

Re: 63 conv. top color

So, is the code for color listed on the window sticker and order? I don't recall seeing that and I know we didn't specify when ordering. Mine came with a black top which I changed to white in about 1976 or so. I didn't do a great job because I had so much frame repairs to make that I took off both pads and lost my spacing (missed by about 3/8"). I had to practically reconstruct my front header and tacking strip.

Stu Fox

Stu:

Black is the default or factory standard color. You get it if you don't ask for the other colors. White and tan were no cost options. And yes they would show on the window sticker if you specified them.......they would show up as a factory option with no associated cost.

Larry

[James W.]

Re: 63 conv. top color

Bill,

If you are going to purchase a top from Al Knoch here are some things to be sure that they (Al Knoch) can/will provide when purchasing a top from them.

1. Specify that you want a top cut from the late John Kennedy's pattern (there is a difference in fit)
2. Specify that the top windshield windlace is the correct 3/8" diameter NOT 1/2" diameter and is has the correct bison grain material
3. Specify that the rear window cleaning instruction tag is made of paper NOT cloth
4. Specify that the "wire-on" tips or spears do not have the flanged or flattened edges

I have a 1964 convertible red with a white top John Kennedy patterened top from Al Knoch. It was recently judged at the NCRS NE Regional Meet in Rochester, MN. and lost points for items 2, 3, and 4 above. I can and will correct items 2 and 4 but I would have to remove the top and take it apart to have a new washing instrucions tag installed.

Hope this helps!


Best Regards,

James West
Omaha, NE.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 conv. top color

Bill,

If you are going to purchase a top from Al Knoch here are some things to be sure that they (Al Knoch) can/will provide when purchasing a top from them.

1. Specify that you want a top cut from the late John Kennedy's pattern (there is a difference in fit)


James West
Omaha, NE.

Why the Kennedy cut?

[Rob M.]

Re: 63 conv. top color

Michael,

John Kennedy was very well known and every good at installing tops. He ordered enough tops from Al Knock that they knew the changes that he wanted to make so that the top install went smoothly.

According to Jeff Reade (again from the Nationals tech session) he too stated that when you call to order a top from Al Knock that if you ask for a "Jeff Reade" top, they will know the modifications from the regular production top.

I don't recall all the changes but James mentioned most in his post. I know one more was about an extra inch of material at the header end.

One would hope that if the top manufacturer saw that so many NCRS customers ordered it a specific way, they would make them all the "correct" way and one wouldn't have to worry about it.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 conv. top color

Michael,

John Kennedy was very well known and every good at installing tops. He ordered enough tops from Al Knock that they knew the changes that he wanted to make so that the top install went smoothly.

According to Jeff Reade (again from the Nationals tech session) he too stated that when you call to order a top from Al Knock that if you ask for a "Jeff Reade" top, they will know the modifications from the regular production top.

I don't recall all the changes but James mentioned most in his post. I know one more was about an extra inch of material at the header end.

One would hope that if the top manufacturer saw that so many NCRS customers ordered it a specific way, they would make them all the "correct" way and one wouldn't have to worry about it.

Thanks Rob...however that doesn't totally answer my question, what differentiates the Kennedy top from 'regular production'?

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 conv. top color

Mike I would bet its just a little extra material at the header to make the install easier as Rob says,And likely nothing to do with judging the top.