1968 Now It Begins

[Ruppstang]

That look very much like the one I described in my thread above. They do not use rivets they wedge between the gutter and roor on top of the vinyl. They should run the entire length. The one in the picture may be broken as they are very fragile. Marty

 

[Doug]

That look very much like the one I described in my thread above. They do not use rivets they wedge between the gutter and roor on top of the vinyl. They should run the entire length. The one in the picture may be broken as they are very fragile. Marty

I just looked at both sides of Arlie's photos of my car. The driver’s side goes all the way down and you see what the passenger side looks like. I suspect that somewhere in time 3 inches was broken off as the edge is kind of sharp and not smooth. Maybe while washing and drying the car; who knows.

Cheers

 

[robert campbell]

Doug,
Just for grins, how many rivets hold them on? I have 4 on one side and 2 on the other. Is you top original or has it been replaced? I had these "strips" off and, yup, they are very fragile.

Rob

 

[Doug]

Doug,
Just for grins, how many rivets hold them on? I have 4 on one side and 2 on the other. Is you top original or has it been replaced? I had these "strips" off and, yup, they are very fragile.

Rob

I have 2 rivets on each side. I don't know if it's original. But I ve been told that it is.

Doug

 

[franklinair]

Went to a local car show today. There was an original '68 (10K miles) coupe w/vinyl top. It had the original stainless strip in the gutter that Marty described earlier- and no rivets. It ran the full length, as Marty said. Of course, I had forgotten my camera

My C/S is coming along nicely in the paint/body shop. (I have visitation rights!) The front fender is fitted, and lines up GREAT (Ford tooling repro). He did find a nasty spot on the top of the left rear quarter (prev. repaired by P.O.). I had noticed a couple bubbles in the paint and told him to grind it down to see what was causing it. He cut the affected area out (about 2" X 6") and spliced in new metal. The entire left side of the car will be repainted. Should be done next week.
Here's a couple photos- new front fender & area of left rear quarter that was suspect (prior to being spliced).

Neil

 

[Ruppstang]

Neil,
I saw the pictures in Cory's book of the damage to your car. It made me feel bad, I can only imagine how you felt. What caused the wheel to come off? Marty

 

[franklinair]

You had to ask, didn't you?!
The unmittigated idiot that installed the Shelby wheels (that would be me) did not secure the lug nuts properly. I THEN learned that the Shelby wheels' lug holes are countersunk, with tapered lug nuts to mate to them. I had simply tightened the lug nuts thinking they were tight. Five miles down the road I heard a strange noise coming from the front end. Slowed down just in time for the wheel to depart through the rear of the fender. Words can never convey how upset I was (with myself). I was (still am) so ticked off with myself for such stupidity, I didn't (and won't) file an insurance claim. It was my fault, and I'll pay the penalty out of pocket (new Shelby wheel, new tire, new brake drums, new fender, paint & body work). That's the saga of my mishap.

Neil (humble pie) Hoppe

 

[Ruppstang]

Went to a local car show today. There was an original '68 (10K miles) coupe w/vinyl top. It had the original stainless strip in the gutter that Marty described earlier- and no rivets. It ran the full length, as Marty said. Of course, I had forgotten my camera

My C/S is coming along nicely in the paint/body shop. (I have visitation rights!) The front fender is fitted, and lines up GREAT (Ford tooling repro). He did find a nasty spot on the top of the left rear quarter (prev. repaired by P.O.). I had noticed a couple bubbles in the paint and told him to grind it down to see what was causing it. He cut the affected area out (about 2" X 6") and spliced in new metal. The entire left side of the car will be repainted. Should be done next week.
Here's a couple photos- new front fender & area of left rear quarter that was suspect (prior to being spliced).

Neil

Neil was your car blue at one time? Is the meadowlark yellow the orignal color? The yellow will look great with the black accents. Marty

 

[franklinair]

My car was originally Lime Gold according to the Marti. The P.O. restored the car, and changed it to Meadolark/Black interior.
Good progress in the paint shop this week- yesterday it was all primed & being block sanded, holes were drilled for the vinyl top trim pieces. I expect I'll have it back by the first of the week so I can start my projects on it.
I need to find out what sealant goop to use for the rain gutter edges.

Neil

 

[robert campbell]

Neil,
If you can get the trim strips, then you do not use any goop!

Rob

 

[franklinair]

Yeah, but I'm hedging my bets! The 'goop' I've seen in the past has flat sheen to it- not glossy.

Neil

 

[franklinair]

Here are some shots of work in progress: verified VIN stamping on L front fender apron, (it's also stamped on R front fender apron), metal repair on L rear quarter.

 

[franklinair]

I exercised my visitation rights this morning to check on the status of the body/paint work at my local shop. The color gets sprayed on TODAY. Looks real good. I should get the car back early next week.

Neil

 

[hookedtrout]

That's good news, weather permitting you need to go for an enjoyable drive to get rid of the last "bad" ride blues. Kind of like getting back on after getting bucked off, check those lug nuts really good before you go. ;-)

 

[franklinair]

Got my C/S back from the paint shop today. PERFECTO!
New L front fender, door repaired, L quarter repair, and paint.

 

[franklinair]

Got my car today from the paint shop. PERFECTO! I'll shoot a couple photos tomorrow. Barely made it back to the airport before dark (left headlite not re-installed yet) New fender fits perfect, door repair perfect, L quarter repair perfect, paint color match perfect.
I'll start my projects after the holidays: vinyl top, Deluxe interior, AM/FM radio, console, hood stripes.
Now I'm even toying with the idea of pulling the engine to detail it & the engine compartment, and perhaps the front suspension. Engine & suspension are all in good shape, but I'd like a more 'crisp' appearance. I don't plan on ever selling this car, and I enjoy doing the work- so I'm happy putting the time/work/$$$ into it. Come springtime I'll have it all done, and then I'll sell my convertible and start another project (I'm still coveting that 6cyl C/S out west!).
Enough blathering for now.

Neil

 

[Ruppstang]

Now the fun begins, it's easy to stay up too late. I know you are going to have happy holidays. Wish I could come help! Marty