I am debating if I want to put my convertible top boot into the slide rail. The car is a 1968 Olds Cutlass S, and my slide rail is in the original condition, so unless I take it off and bead blast it, my boot will not slide into it as of now. My interior guy said that once it goes in, it would be next to impossible to get out, so he is suggesting that he could attach some velcro strips onto the boot, and on the front of where the slide rail is and then I could easily take it on and off, and while it is on, you would never be able to tell that the boot isn't in the slide rail. For those with a 1968 convertible (or comparable year using the same slide rail), have you had problems taking out your boot from your slide rail? What are your thoughts on his solution? Or any other recommendations?

 

it is not easy but can be done, I have many times. use a white dry lithium lube in the channel and take it easy. It will work.

 

On my '66, a local shop had a made a velco strip that slid into the rail and then fastened velco to the boot. Works good.

 

So the Velcro strip ran the length of the rail? Sounds awesome!

 

yeah, that sounds like a very good idea

 

So I went ahead and had my interior guy (Darien Gross from Burien Upholstery) make a velcro strip for my convertible boot so it was easy to get it on and off. I am very pleased with how it turned out. Here are the pictures:

 

Jeff, it turned out awesome! Looks very nice.

 

Vera nice

 

Jeff, looks great.

 

Curious to know - how'd the boot handle at highway speed with the velcro - snap combination?

 

The boot stayed very secure at freeway speeds. No problems at all.

 

Hate to sound stupid but do the clips go under the chromed piece that circles the boot hole (I dont think I can do that on mine without some bad scratching)? (Yes I have no clue what its proper name is.) and did your upholster guy sew the velcro into the top itself or the fabric in the boot hole?

 

Yes they do, they seem to be a soft nylon or very pliable plastic so no scratches - at least on my car.

 

My interior guy sewed one side of the velcro into the boot, going along the same stitch line that was already on the boot, so you couldn't see the new stitches. Then he used a new piece of fabric that he stitched on the second piece of velcro that goes into the slide rail (see the bottom two photos). That way when it is velcro'd shut, you can't see the velcro at all, and it looks as if it is original.

 

Gorgeous work on that boot. Who is your interior guy?