63 Soft Top Header

[Gerald L.]

In Chapter flight judging I got docked for the cord under the soft top header being so forward of the header. Exterior judge comment was that the cord was too far forward and should be moved back flush with the header. Is there any insightful input out there on where the cord should be placed? Any helpful photos? Your support much appreciated. At least I had the ends tucked well under the header.

The Indiana Chapter did a terrific job at this meet and I really learned on my first ever judging. This one of a hundred improvements to work through.

[Alan D.]

Re: 63 Soft Top Header

Here is an original March 64 top. The tooo fat problem has been around for a while, however expected Knoch had made changes last year (check)

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 Soft Top Header

Mine is some where in between your two. Altough it is a little hard to tell with the black top in the picture, but I believe my cord tapers back in on the ends more gradually.

Stu Fox

[Gerard F.]

Here's a 67 original top

Gerald,

This shot is from a 5 Star Bowtie 67, for what it's worth:



A Restorer article was done on this top see Winter 2007-2008

[Mike M.]

Re: 63 Soft Top Header

Hi Jerry
We all know that stars can be awarded for less than 100% originality in all of the four categories.
Please see the attached photo showing the windlace tuck on this original '67 top.
Also note that the windlace is the Madrid Vinyl pattern matching the interior vinyl, rather than the fabric of the top itself.
HaND

[Gerard F.]

Re: 63 Soft Top Header

Mike,

The top sidetrim of the top in your picture looks a little worn in the front where it meets the windlace. If it were tucked into the windlace a little better, it would probably look like George Weaver's top in my picture.

I do think the top in my picture is original to the car. The story is that this car, having a hard top, was never driven with the softtop up before it was put in storage in 1969 with some 14,000 miles on it.

Absolutely true, I don't know. I was really amazed at the shape it was in after 40 years when I saw it in Boston last year.

This top does have the different crushed grain pattern on the windlace, than the diamond grain on the top. It is just that the difference doesn't show up well in pictures for white tops as it does for black tops.

Maybe Page will chime in, on this one as he knows a lot more about this car.

[Gerald L.]

Re: 63 Soft Top Header

I do appreciate the replies and the photos. To summarize, see if AK repos a smaller diameter windlass in Madera vinyl, tuck it under the header not sticking out front, and tuck the ends in too. Thanks.

[Gerard F.]

Re: 63 Soft Top Header

Gerald.

Righto on the small diameter. In setting the position, the edge of the header on the top should hit the center of the bead in the windlace, so that when you clamp down the top, it compresses the bead slightly.

If you get a windlace with squared off ends send it back. Get the one like Al has in his video, where you have to trim the end, and tuck it in under the header, like in the photos.