65 hard top only questions

[Bill W.]

I have a 31,000 mile 65 that led a hard life . It was built with a 396 , side exhaust, black walls , and a hard top . clear glass,no radio or back up lights . When I bought it it had a 66 conv. top.installed It had the rear hold down bezels but they were installed with slotted head screws and square nuts .The hole was cut out with a drill and file .From the inside you can see the inner panel was built with the opening but it looks like the outer panel was solid. My question is Ive never seen a 63 to 67 with a hardtop only.Does anyone have one or know how they were built . Were they built with both sets of holes ? were the holes cut out at the St Louis plant ? If hard top only what did they do with the conv. frame mounting brkt .A photo from the underside would be great . Thanks Bill

[John H.]

Re: 65 hard top only questions

My question is Ive never seen a 63 to 67 with a hardtop only.Does anyone have one or know how they were built . Were they built with both sets of holes ? were the holes cut out at the St Louis plant ? If hard top only what did they do with the conv. frame mounting brkt .A photo from the underside would be great . Thanks Bill

Bill -

There were two convertible deck lids received at St. Louis. The standard lid, #3871086, had the holes already cut out for the rear convertible top bow latches, as that was the standard condition; if the car was also ordered with the optional hardtop, the two rear and two side hardtop bolt holes were drilled at St. Louis and the ferrules/anchor nuts were installed. The other lid, #3871090, did NOT have the holes cut out for the rear convertible top bow latches, and was used for hardtop-only cars; St. Louis drilled the four holes for the hardtop attachment and installed the ferrules/anchor nuts. Both lids had the holes cut out in the INNER PANEL for the convertible top rear bow latches, only visible with the lid open. The convertible top hinge mounting brackets on each side were welded in place on the lock pillars during the birdcage subassembly welding operation.

The hole drilling for the hardtop rear and side bolts is shown in the C07 section in your Assembly Manual.

[Wayne W.]

Re: 65 hard top only questions

Bill -

The convertible top hinge mounting brackets on each side were welded in place on the lock pillars during the birdcage subassembly welding operation.

This may be the way it was supposed to be done, but what I see is one bolt installed to hold the backing plate. It is the same bolt that is used for mounting the hinge. I guess that is to keep it from rattling.

[Bill W.]

Re: 65 hard top only questions

Thanks John & Wayne ,That answers both of my questions and confirms that my car was built hardtop only .

[Mike E.]

Re: 65 hard top only questions

That's the way C1 hardtop-only cars were done as well.