Drop Top Woes

[53619PLF]

I will have to check the top on my car. The top on my car was replaced within the last 2 or 3 years before I got it, but it has a small hole on either side toward the rear where it looks like the top frame has pinched it. I bet its the lack of, or missing adjustment bolts you mention here.

Tim

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Tim, Does your top have the front to rear extra padding that is located on the passenger and drivers side area betweent eh canvas top and the top frame? This after-market Top Pad Kit gives extra protection to the pinch fold area when the top folds up? It is abount a foot wide. It may not be original to the 59. But this pad I have used on my 68 Sport Fury Convertible and my 70 Cuda Convertible.

Year One Sells it as a part number CM574 (www.yearone.com) It states in the year One catalog that it prevents against pinching in that area where the top folds. I think this and the adjusters should keep the top from pinching and making holes in the canvas.

Check it out.

John Q

[Steve Storey]

After obsessing about the adjusting bolts and many ruined drill bits from my attempts to drill through a hardened bolt I've come to the conclusion none of these four adjustment bolts have anything to do with the pinch problem, but rather as mentioned the frame sag at window tops. They contact the frame from the bolt ends. So Tim if you are getting rips check out the protective pad per John Q. Also any sharp points . In retrospect I think my problems came from improper folding of top and bows as they go down. One of the bows swivel and has a tab or stop on both sides where the rips occur. I think this tab has to be kept against the frame so it doesn't stick up. Should have done some post graduate studies in "Drop Tops". Steve

[53619PLF]

I checked on my car, and the adjustment bolts are all there, as well as top pads on either side. Maybe the damage occurred before the pads were put in. I don't know. I don't see how it could pinch the top with the pads in place. I may send an email to the previous owner to ask him how that happened.

Tim

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Convertible top frame members,Good news for those missing the square head bold that is used for adjusting the sag of the convertible top frame parts from each other. I have found the Square head bolts at my local Ace Hardware, They are 1/4-20 like I thought. The are called Machine thread set screws.
So they should be available at any local ACE or Hardware stores should you want to replace the ones you have or are missing from your Convertible top frame assembly.

John Q.