I got a new boot from Legendary for a 1971 Cutlass Conv. A the front of boot I can not seem to get it to tuck under the convertible top. It also looks like it needs some time to stretch, it was pretty tight to get on around the pinch molding. I attached a couple of photos.

Any thoughts on getting it to look neater ?

Thanks, Pat

 

Not familiar with this car, but wonder if there is a surface at the top/behind the seat where the boot could be secured with velcro?

 

On my 69 drop top, the boot has a beaded front edge that slides thru a channel behind the rear seat and is a giant PITA to pull thru

 

X2 on the beaded edge.....The channel is screwed to the body just behind the top of the rear seat back.

 

^^^x3^^^ I have the exact same year & type tonneau cover. Need to slide into the channel.

 

Beaded edge

Slide beaded edge into channel

Slide beaded edge into channel

 

Mine isn't so much a PITA to pull thru as much as the entire design is a PITA.

 

X4, I had a tough time sliding the bead thru the chanel. I use a screwdriver to widen the channel a little bit and then it slid thru with no problem.

 

I never take mine off. When I raise the top, I leave the beaded edge in the slot and lay the boot cover into the top well.

 

I might give that a try for awhile & see how it plays out. Honestly though, that entire process of securing the cover under the chrome trim rail guard is a PITA each time you either remove it or install it. IMO snaps would have been a better choice.
A liberal spraying/coating of good quality silicone into the channel definitely assists insertion/removal of the cover.

 

I leave mine on also. next time ya have to install it [slide it into the slot,] Try a little Vaseline [or K-1] LOL

 

I'm heading out for my usual prescribed dose of golf. I've been up a couple hours. I hate that F(*&^%%$ tonneau cover. I reinstalled it, I generally have always let it remain off (which I might still consider again) since it's a royal PITA to remove if the rain comes. Yeah, you unhook the little hardened PVC tabs under the chrome edging but still - a complete PITA, IMO. Anyways, I'll give this idea you & Kenneth do w/ leaving it on and see how my patience w/ it endures. Give me the tonneau cover of a 1961 TR3A any day of the week - hell, any other tonneau cover.

 

Same for me with my '72. I just put the boot in the well when the top is up. Just remember to take the boot out of the well before ypu put the top down. 😏

 

Same here.

 

Curious if the OP got it installed.

 

Thanks,

I found that rail everyone is talking about and can also see why everyone is saying it is such a pain to get in there. May have to spread it open it open a bit. Hate to snag or tear that new boot already. Trying to figure out if there are other ways to tuck it in there. Someone mentioned Velcro ?

 

Glad you got it in there. Silicone spray on the beaded strip and inside the channel really do supply a lot of smooth sailing.
If you read below in the Related Thread section it appears the one poster did use the velcro and from all accounts was very satisfied with the results. Unfortunately, the pictures he posted are unavailable - probably because they were hosted on the previous version website of Photobucket and are no longer viewable.

 

I also experienced the PITA boot attachment. Seems Oldsmobile didn't learn a thing in 20 years of selling convertibles.

Velcro didn't work well for me, kept working lose in the wind or when someone sat on the boot at a parade. Went back to the lesser PITA channel .

 

I went the velcro route and it worked very nicely for me, and I have never had a problem with it coming loose. For easy reference, below is a link to the thread:

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...lide-rail.html

Since the photos were deleted in the links in the above thread, I've included them here.

 

Thanks for re-posting your photos. Nice job.

 

This thread popping up is fantastic timing for me. I just installed a new PUI boot, have the same issue as the OP and attaching this middle portion is baffling me.

I have a 72 Cutlass and, in all my work back there, don't remember a pinch portion. I'm sure its there but, if not, now emboldened to fashion something utilizing velcro and or listing wire.

 

The pinch molding being referred to by the OP is the chrome edge molding where the tonneau (PUI) boot cover's black plastic (PVC) tabs slide 'under' the 'pinch molding' (chrome edge molding at the rear of the convertible top just forward of the trunk lid - which is the location where a hardtop coupe would have the bottom of the rear window located).

 

Rear Bottom Middle Portion Bead Molding located on bottom of PUI Cover

Channel located directly behind top of rear passenger seat

 

Thanks. Yes, found my channel. Mines nowhere near as wide an initial gap and why its not as recognizable. Mine looks as narrow as the far right (of above channel picture) but, all the way across. I could see how once the boot is inserted, it will be tough to remove. Perhaps once my car is ready to have the top down all summer I will go for it.

 

As I said before, I don't remove mine. Prolly haven't had it off since I put a new one on in 1990. Just unhook the rear "clips", lay the boot cover over the back seat, raise the top, then lay the boot cover into the well and snap the sides back on. Reverse the process when lowering the top.

 

You make a very good point and I will probably follow suit very soon.

 

thanks Jeff, that looks like it is much easier and still pretty neat.

 

Mine has the original slot. I don't see it being that hard to install and remove boot, though I have done it many times and practice helps. Once I was driving my car with the top down but no boot on, I noticed the top was inching up and I was afraid it would catch the air and become a "drag chute" . So I always put the boot on. I usually leave it in the slot and lay in the top well also when top is up.

 

I just replaced my boot with one from Legendary. It fit perfectly and the color was an exact match.

 

Rock Auto send me a new boot to my 98 and the plastic slider do not fit at all.
This was an Acme Auto B133 (B133-2295) and the plastic slider is 0,6mm thicker
than my earlier boot and do not fit in the slot at all.

So i maybe try to return it or do something to the plastic slider,
the slot in the car are cleaned.

 

Just want to check , this channel are the original plastic slider channel ??
Have removed the plastic slider from the new boot,was impossible to get this
thru the channel with lube on it.

So i,m not happy with this boot.

 

That's the channel! For some reason, some folks have trouble with it. It may depend on the supplier of the top boot. For both my '68 and '69 4-4-2 convertibles, I didn't have any trouble at all in fitting the plastic slider into the channel and running it across.

Randy C.

 

Thanks for answer , the boot from ACME AUTO did NOT fit the original channel.
Was impossible to fitting the plastic slider into the channel also with lube.
Measure and the ACME slider was thicker than slider on my old boot.

 

Did my '70 years ago, and while it was a slog to push/pull it through the channel, once it's on, you don't take it off. As others have said. I am due for a new one again, so recommendations of where to get it are appreciated. Mine was from Year One, but that was 20-plus years ago.

 

I must say that i regret that i bought this boot but must try to fix it.
The 4 front clips on boot did not fit either but don,t know if it is
the height of the convertible frame or the boot.

Should see if i if,s possible to grind of some material of the plastic slider
so i could pull it thru the channel and have it mounted on the boot again.
Or take the slider from my old boot.

Rockauto wanted "pictures" what the problem with the boot was so they could
show the manufacturer but i send this link so they can read and understand the problem.

Here you can see why its impossible to fitting the new boot in the channel,the old boots
plastic slider are smaller and slides perfect in the cars channel. Have tried to grind the new
plastic slider but it,s probably better to find one who fits the channel instead.




Here pics of my old boot.