• Welcome to the CaliforniaSpecial.com forums! - You are currently viewing the forums as a GUEST. To take advantage of all our site features, please take a moment to join our community! It's fast, simple and absolutely free.

    If you have problems registering or can't log into your account, please contact Admin.

    Please Note: If you are an existing member and your password no longer works, click here to reset it.

1968 Vinyl top retainer strip

franklinair

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 1, 2007
Messages
4,740
We've discussed this issue before, but now I have another question.
My Red GT/CS was factory equipped with a Black vinyl top. It does not have the retainer strip installed (obviously the vinyl top has been replaced in the last 50 years) but there are no holes in the rain gutter that would have accommodated the rivets for the strip.
So perhaps all plants did not install the retainers?
Fortunately, the top is in good shape so I don't have a problem. Just a point of curiosity.

Neil
 

Ruppstang

Well-known member
Joined
May 22, 2009
Messages
3,032
Ford also used a different style retainer that went on top of the top and wedged between the rain gutter and roof. It was made of stainless steel and looked very nice.
 

robert campbell

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 10, 2007
Messages
4,321
Dad,
As all GT/CS cars were manufactured in San Jose, the different plant thought would be ok for other 1968 Mustangs, but not for a GT/CS. The stainless trim that Marty mentioned was on my car, but it was riveted in 4 places as I remember. Again, your car is an early GT/CS. Maybe some GT/CS vinyl top cars did not get the stainless trim or maybe as Marty thinks they were just "swedged" in? Mine would not stay swedged in and needed the rivets. They were very small rivets of 1/8 diameter.

I know mine were original as the second vinyl top was over them with glue. After removing them I found the original remnants of the original black vinyl top.

Rob
 

Ricky Knapik

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 18, 2018
Messages
265
I was thinking the same thing Rob! All made in San Jose. Mine has the 4 rivets.
 
Top