69 hardtop mounting?

[Grahame M.]

Hi Everyone,

I'm trying to find some parts and diagrams for my hardtop refurbishment. i have the front mounts sorted but am a little confused on the rear stud mounts, 2 only. Do these mounts have any washers, pads etc (rubber, nylon etc) on either side of the mounting point, on the deck lid?

Also, i noticed some strange looking clips at the rear of the main headlining. How do these work and where can i get replacements. Mine are separated and don't clip together, with the hardtop mounted ones riveted in place

our help is always very much appreciated.

Cheers

Grahame

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 hardtop mounting?

Hi Everyone,

I'm trying to find some parts and diagrams for my hardtop refurbishment. i have the front mounts sorted but am a little confused on the rear stud mounts, 2 only. Do these mounts have any washers, pads etc (rubber, nylon etc) on either side of the mounting point, on the deck lid?

Also, i noticed some strange looking clips at the rear of the main headlining. How do these work and where can i get replacements. Mine are separated and don't clip together, with the hardtop mounted ones riveted in place

our help is always very much appreciated.

Cheers

Grahame

Grahame------


The 2 studs on the rear of the hardtop pass through the bezels and soft top locks on the deck lid. A special "washer" is installed from the bottom which seats against the soft top lock. A flanged head nut then threads onto the stud and seats on the "washer". The "washer" is actually more-or-less rectangular in shape and has upturned sides. I don't know if reproductions are available.

The top is also secured by 2 special bolts which pass through the brackets on either side of the top just behind the side window and thread into nuts imbedded in the sides of the deck lid. The bolts are stainless steel and have a large flanged head.

The "clips" that you are referring to attach the headliner to the top. On my original owner 1969 they were "separated" from the day the car was new. Even if you replaced them, I think they would soon "separate". I do not know of any source for them. The same type of "clips" are used on the door panels at a few locations.

[Grahame M.]

Re: 69 hardtop mounting?

Thanks Joe,

If the washer goes on the bottom of the stud is it just the weatherstripping that buffers the mounting on top of the bezel? i'm trying to eliminate and hard surfaces touching each other and making noises, or worse scratching the painted surface. the soft top locks you refer to are in my car and they appear to be spring loaded, is this correct? If this is OK, do they need to be in a certain position for the hardtop to lock down properly.

Maybe someone else might know where to get some reproduction washers, as the ones that come with the studs from Paragon and Ecklers look to be nylon and not the type you have explained in you post.

Many thanks once again...
Grahame

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 hardtop mounting?

Thanks Joe,

If the washer goes on the bottom of the stud is it just the weatherstripping that buffers the mounting on top of the bezel? i'm trying to eliminate and hard surfaces touching each other and making noises, or worse scratching the painted surface. the soft top locks you refer to are in my car and they appear to be spring loaded, is this correct? If this is OK, do they need to be in a certain position for the hardtop to lock down properly.

Maybe someone else might know where to get some reproduction washers, as the ones that come with the studs from Paragon and Ecklers look to be nylon and not the type you have explained in you post.

Many thanks once again...
Grahame

Grahame------

The weatherstrip is all that insulates the top from the deck lid. Interference-induced squeaks and deck lid paint damage were very common from the time the cars were new. The convertible locks are spring loaded.

The convertible locks should be in the normal position. The spring-loaded release ensures that they will be in this position.

[Don L.]

Re: 69 hardtop mounting?

FWIW, I just re-did my '72's hard top and found all the weatherstripping and all hardware but the nylon washers available through Paragon. I use Paragon because they are a short drive from my home. I also used the clear plastic insulator (after market) that insulates the weather stripping from the rear deck's surface. To keep it as discreet as possible, I installed the top (not fastening the hardware) and laid blue painter's tape around the perimeter of the top on the deck's surface. I then removed the top and applied the insulator to the deck, keeping a uniform space inside the blue tape. I then removed the tape and put the top back on. The plastic insulator gives complete protection without showing. I don't know how long I can leave the insulator on, however, as I've seen some cars that show a witness mark from using the insulator after time.

As for the "clips", I too found a couple stubborn ones in the front where the headliner popped out of the clips soon after engaging them. I added a couple strips of course Velcro to help hold. Seems to be working so far and it's discreet too.