[Ivy66GT]

In particular, a 1966 Mustang convertible top although 64 and 65, any maybe even 67 and 68, were much the same.

I have read opinions that the TMI upholstery products are some of the better ones. Is that also true for TMI tops sold by Virginia Mustang (VCM) and surely others? I am looking for a decent top that is also as close to original as possible although I lack knowledge to know either what was original or what the different sellers offer. NPD sells a top they describe as the ‘finest and most authentic’ – familiar although overused words. Are the NPD tops any different and/or better/worse than the others? NPD sells another line of more expensive tops that are made by Robbins. That makes me wonder if their ‘finest and most authentic’ are not also Robbins. If so, I have a problem since the current Robbins top on my convertible of a different make is by far THE WORST top out of six I have had on that car over 38 years. It is non-authentic, too small and the fit is terrible.

Detailed questions:

Rear window (in Ford-speak – ‘rear curtain’): For ’66 it was a plastic window, not glass. And the plastic window should staple directly to the beltline trim and NOT have a section of fabric showing below the window as some tops have. But was the fabric attached to the plastic window always black? I can specify the color of my top (considering white or black) but for a replacement plastic window there usually isn’t a choice making me think the offerings are all black. Was black original for all rear windows?

Top pads: Most offerings here seem to include other fabric items such as the webbing stretched from front to rear and the inside panel at each rear corner that Ford called the ‘top back stay webbing’. Are any of these offerings complete, useful and/or original. I get to chose anywhere from an NPD set for $111 claimed to be ‘concours correct’ to $27 from VCM with no details given. Even the NPD concours set says they are black. Were the inside details of even a white top originally black?

Bow listings: The tops had a metal strip slid inside a fabric sleeve screwed over the tops of bows #2 and #3. Do all (any?) of the current tops have these fabric sleeves included?

Tack strips: The $100+ rear tack strips sets appear to all be the same repro set which bolts to the car. Were the tack strips at the front and #4 bow attached with glue, pop rivets, other? What are the repros made of and how do they attach?

Number 4 bow outside moulding: The outside lump over the seam above the rear window with shiny tips at either end which folds onto itself to hide staples below. This doesn’t seem to come with a top and I don’t even find it for sale at VCM. Isn’t this simply Hydem that I can buy from many other upholstery supply houses?

Sealer between convertible top weatherstrip and top frame: The Ford shop manual shows foam tape in this location. NPD makes a note to say it was originally 1/16 x ½” tape but they don’t sell any. The foam tape elsewhere such as under the front pillar W/S holder seems to have been 1/8” thick to accommodate lumpy bodywork. I know where I can buy tape in either thickness: was it truly only 1/16” x 1/2" for the top W/S?

[Ivy66GT]

I know that was a lot of questions. Partial answers, or directions to where I can find answer will be gladly accepted.

[Ivy66GT]

I found the answer to some questions.

The NPD OE tops are made in South Carolina by EZ On Auto Tops of Iva, SC, who make tops in a variety of different styles but NPD only stocks their more original type with brass zipper and no fabric below the window. Everyone else I have found, including TMI from VCM, uses a plastic zipper as one supplier told me 'for about the last 10 years'.

A 2-bulb 'wire-on' over the rear window is included with each NPD/EZ top but it is not the 'original' type. The one supplied is a large-bulb/small-bulb affair where one bulb folds over the other - its not Hydem. For purist, NPD will sell an addtional 2 part style 'wire-on' claimed to be original but that part does NOT come from EZ even though NPD told me it did. It only comes in black and white and those wanting other colors are apparently SOL. EZ said the original type was a dovetailed arrangement with the top part (to hide the staples) sliding in place from the side and the end trim caps keeping the cover from sliding out.

[Veronica]

Hello. In here talking to yourself again?

I never was overly impressed with the tmi stuff. The seat upholstery stuff never seems to work out right. It's way too tight and I had to leave it sitting out in the sun for a couple of hours to kind of loosen it up enough to stretch it over the padding. Same deal with their top boots. The snaps don't really line up right and it's a little too small. Ford used that 1/16 foam. Not because it was better, just because it's a little bit cheaper when bought in the quantities that they were going through.

Those tips on the back of the top, above the curtain, are the things that you get at upholstery shops. I don't remember what they were called, but, they are a very common item.

All of the tops were black on the inside. I'll check on all of that other stuff.

[Ivy66GT]

Originally Posted by Veronica

Hello. In here talking to yourself again?

Its not the first time nor likely the last.

My only TMI parts so far have been door panels. They look nice but then we have all been there before. Whether they fit or not I don't yet know. Worse than a bit tight is sloppy loose. I have had upholstery kits for other cars so loose that I sent them back and made my own. Talk about a job!

Seems the reason VCM doesn't sell the #4 bow trim or end tips is because they are included with all their tops. I think all the tops come with those parts, just not strictly 'original' versions of them which may not bother most of us. Their plastic windows do come in colors even though their catalog seems to indicate otherwise.

I will pick up a roll of the 1/8" foam today for front pillar usage. If it looks too kludgy under the top W/S I can always buy 1/16" from the same local supplier when I get to that part. I'm not in a big hurry since here in NM I don't need a top very often anyhow.

As usual, thanks for your helpful info. Whatever else you find will also be appreciated.