Convertible top boot?
#1
Convertible top boot?
69 Cutlass - I ordered a new boot and when I went to install it I realized it did not require snaps. I am wondering which way they came from the factory? Did someone add them to the pinch molding or did they come with the car?
#5
Irrelevant to Cutlasses, but my ‘66 98 convertible always had snaps. Not sure when GM went to non-snap covers. They do look cleaner without the snaps though.
Along the way I refinished the pinch weld molding by grinding off the backs of the snaps, polishing the stainless pinch weld molding, then installing new snaps with a snap-specific die and punch.
The stainless polishes up well, but the weird iron molding clips that hold it to the car body rust much more easily and get brittle after all these decades. If you decide to remove the pinch welding, you’re well advised to get a bunch of extra retention clips (reproduction or original) to hold it to the car. An extra clip or two might be a good idea if you want the molding to hold on really tightly.
Shiny steel looks much better than 55 years of scratches to me.
cf
Along the way I refinished the pinch weld molding by grinding off the backs of the snaps, polishing the stainless pinch weld molding, then installing new snaps with a snap-specific die and punch.
The stainless polishes up well, but the weird iron molding clips that hold it to the car body rust much more easily and get brittle after all these decades. If you decide to remove the pinch welding, you’re well advised to get a bunch of extra retention clips (reproduction or original) to hold it to the car. An extra clip or two might be a good idea if you want the molding to hold on really tightly.
Shiny steel looks much better than 55 years of scratches to me.
cf
#6
At some point in time a PO had an interior made for the car. I guess they had the boot made as well and that was how they chose to attach it. I guess I'll keep my eye open for a replacement. There are a few other more important things first. At least I now know what is suppose to be.
thanks
thanks
#8
I believe it was in the '68 model year that they went to the "without snaps" look. My '68 originally had plastic/nylon clips on the boot that attached onto the pinch weld and then I believe in the '69 model year they went to the plastic tabs that slipped under the pinch weld. Reproduction boots all have the plastic tabs. Fortunately, the metal retaining strip was on both my '68 and '69.
Randy C.
Randy C.
Last edited by rcorrigan5; June 28th, 2021 at 03:31 PM. Reason: spelling
#10
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...p-boot-134170/
#11
I know thread is over a year old, and don’t mean to hijack - but where do you store your convertible top boot? I don’t like leaving it shoved in the trunk, and also rather not cram it in a bag. Could put it under a bed, but like to keep it in the garage unfolded. Any ideas? Thanks.
Last edited by vCode442; October 7th, 2022 at 01:44 PM.
#12
Mine just stays in the well under the back window since the plastic bead is slid into the metal channel. I pull it out when putting the top down so that I can put the boot on once the top is down. But when the top is up, the boot just stays in that well behind the back seat for both my '68 and '69 convertibles. The '68 has been in my family since March 1969 and that's the only way we ever did it!
Randy C.
Randy C.
#17
Any damage done to your tops when you have them down most of the time? Put mine down when driving, especially this time of year, but have seen too many tops that remain down, creased and folded once deployed.
#18
Mine always smooths out okay. Although, full disclosure: part of the reason I leave it down so much is it wasn't a great installation and there are some creases in the C-pillar area that won't come out.
Last edited by BangScreech4-4-2; October 9th, 2022 at 07:24 PM.
#19
When I had my new top installed, the installer told me to NEVER put your top down during the cold weather because the material can crack or split during the fold. I don't know in the other years but in my 1970 Cutlass owners manual, it does tell you how to pull out a fold during this process.
#20
Only gets below freezing occasionally here so that’s not much of an issue, also at higher speeds the frame can rub and rip canvas at pinch points.
But no worries, thankfully I don’t drive a trailer queen.
But no worries, thankfully I don’t drive a trailer queen.
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