Does anyone see an issue with the bends in the vert frame in the pics. It appears there should be some bend so it can fold past itself but this one catches on the bracket just forward of it . Does anyone have pictures of a correct frame?

 

I think both those bars are severely bent inwards. Don't have a top here to reference but have run into this before on a buddy's '70 442 vert. I do think there may be a slight "jog" in those link bars originally but not the severe inward curve you show.

Maybe someone w/a top handy can take a pic or two.

 

Here's some pics, I'll try to get a picture from behind tomorrow.

 

Yeah, the OP's links are not right. Nowhere near that much bow. Interesting that it looks to be symmetrical from left to right. That's probably what has you thinking it could be original.

 

Hard to see folded up, but yes, yours look way too bowed

 

These pics were very helpful in reassuring me we did the right thing. We did some field bending and alignment on what we envisioned them to look like when correct. Now I'm angry that we didn't take any after pics. It seemed to track square and straight when we were finished. I will post some pics of the completed job in the next few days..