Need help identifing a convert top

[corkscrew]

A fellow at work, who used to own a '55 bird, gave me an old box that was to contain a replacement soft top for a '55-57 bird. He never used it so I unpacked it and it had instructions for a '48-55 Jaguar roadster. Some research puts serious doubt into my mind that it is a Jag top. The box says 1955 Thunderbird, and is at least 30 years old. The most distinctive feature is there are 2 large metal brackets in the top kit. Maybe these can help determine what it is? I can send photos of the top and brackets if anyone is interested in trying to identify it.

Thanks in advance....Bill

[edmlynek]

can't answer everything---but here is what little i know--there are two styles of tops-- the 55 and 56 had two 'top bows' and these were not sewn to the bows...this caused the top to expand out and up at high speeds..complaints on this to ford resulted in a 2nd design for (only) the '57 top - another bow was added (now three) and all bows were sewn to the bows--this stopped the 'ballooning' at freeway speeds - and all was happy - BUT - the 57 top is going to be (a lot) more expensive to get and buy...AND the top itself is useless unless the top raising and lowering mechanism is gotten, too. this involves a 'swinging' mechanism that holds the top. this piece is expensive to get - maybe what the metal brackets you are saying you have is this... it bolts to area behind the front seat -- two bolts on each side...with a round metal 'bar' connecting the two sides...also i think (but cannot confirm) that the plastic back window on only the 55 did not have a zipper on it so it could be lowered with the top up and this gave a little bit more ventilation inside....of course the top fabric itself has two prices--good (cheaper) and better (way more money)......and there are the clamps that hold the top to the car--2 on the rear deck ($100 each) and one on each side just behind the front door (also $100 each) AND these clamps have 3 different styles ---55---early 56----and then '57 ---these all have to 'match' the places they clamp to.....then the weatherstrips ($300+) for a set.....good luck with all this..as a side story, when i wanted to buy a soft top for my 55....(my car came from the factory with only a hardtop (weird?), a guy i knew had two complete tops for sale (this was in 1979) one , a 55 top was totally trashed and needed everything---$500...the other top was a complete '57 top all done, white, ready to bolt on and go--everything new or good...$1500....i thought i could completely do the $500 one for less than $1500..well, turns out i could not--must have have spent close to $2000 to complete right..AND I GOT A CRAPPY TWO BOW TOP instead of the much,much better 3 bow top...go figure how foolish i was....bye...ed mlynek

[paul2748]

He said it was a replacement top.

QUOTE=edmlynek;14317]can't answer everything---but here is what little i know--there are two styles of tops-- the 55 and 56 had two 'top bows' and these were not sewn to the bows...this caused the top to expand out and up at high speeds..complaints on this to ford resulted in a 2nd design for (only) the '57 top - another bow was added (now three) and all bows were sewn to the bows--this stopped the 'ballooning' at freeway speeds - and all was happy - BUT - the 57 top is going to be (a lot) more expensive to get and buy...AND the top itself is useless unless the top raising and lowering mechanism is gotten, too. this involves a 'swinging' mechanism that holds the top. this piece is expensive to get - maybe what the metal brackets you are saying you have is this... it bolts to area behind the front seat -- two bolts on each side...with a round metal 'bar' connecting the two sides...also i think (but cannot confirm) that the plastic back window on only the 55 did not have a zipper on it so it could be lowered with the top up and this gave a little bit more ventilation inside....of course the top fabric itself has two prices--good (cheaper) and better (way more money)......and there are the clamps that hold the top to the car--2 on the rear deck ($100 each) and one on each side just behind the front door (also $100 each) AND these clamps have 3 different styles ---55---early 56----and then '57 ---these all have to 'match' the places they clamp to.....then the weatherstrips ($300+) for a set.....good luck with all this..as a side story, when i wanted to buy a soft top for my 55....(my car came from the factory with only a hardtop (weird?), a guy i knew had two complete tops for sale (this was in 1979) one , a 55 top was totally trashed and needed everything---$500...the other top was a complete '57 top all done, white, ready to bolt on and go--everything new or good...$1500....i thought i could completely do the $500 one for less than $1500..well, turns out i could not--must have have spent close to $2000 to complete right..AND I GOT A CRAPPY TWO BOW TOP instead of the much,much better 3 bow top...go figure how foolish i was....bye...ed mlynek[/quote]

[Jimz Bird]

Here is an article written 25 years ago by Neil Schebetta and a link to some pics of frames he has or had at one time.

"Your Choices in Soft Tops
By Neil Schebetta

ECONOMY: Tee Bird Products offers a "replacement top" that has the outward appearance of the original with the main difference being in its construction. The supplier describes "it as a replacement top designed to fit your Thunderbird ...The size and shape are same as the original, however, this is not a reproduction". This top's main frame bows are made of electrical conduit bent to the shape of a convertible top with the front and rear bows made of reinforced fiberglass. The clamps used on this top are nothing resembling the original type yet they work very well. There is no swing arm or feet which means two people must physically fold top (weight about 30 pounds) to put it behind the seat for storage. There is no stainless steel header molding. All in all, this top works well for getting out of the sun or rain and is reasonably priced at $1000.00 in your choice of black or white vinyl.

GOOD: Prestige's top is a variation of Tee Bird Products’ with the difference being the frame's construction and the use of original clamps. The frame is constructed of all metal with black baked polyester coating (for durability) which gives it a better appearance than the Economy top. Swing arm with feet is an option with this top. The stainless steel header piece was an option and has been recently discontinued The price ranges from $2000 for vinyl and $2500 for canvas.

BETTER: Jewel's reproduction top is very close to the original top in most aspects with the feet and swing arm being the only minor variation. This top uses the original frame construction and is available in either early or late style with a vinyl or canvas top. The stainless steel header molding is standard. Even though some pieces of this top are designed a little different from the original (not 100% interchangeable) it is hard telling one of these from the original when it is on the car. Current price is $3500 for vinyl and $3700 for canvas.

BEST: The original is either the early ('55-mid '56) or late (mid '56-'57) style. To clarify the difference between early and late, the major difference is that the late tops had an extra support arm over each door window. This prevents the top from sagging and also facilitates ease of operation, i.e., easier for one person to put up or take down all by themselves. Most people find the late style to be the more desirable of the two tops. All originals came with a stainless steel header with a majority being one piece (the three piece came on early '55's manufactured through 2-28-1955). The originals have the swing arm and feet and are adaptable to all three years (if you look behind your seat you will see two studs on each side for the feet). Early style tops work on '57's and vice versa with the minor modification of changing either the rear deck bullets (part #50590-$26.00 a pair) or the rear deck receptacles (part #50552-$80.00 a pair). Even though not all Thunderbirds came with convertible tops there are a few originals available for sale. Prices (if you can find them) for a restorable original range from $2000.00-up for an early style and $2500.00-up for a late style. Restored original tops range from $3600 (early)-$5500 (late). The main reason people prefer the original is because Ford is not making them any more and it adds to the nostalgic value."

1955 Thunderbird T Bird parts 1956 Thunderbird T Bird parts 1957 Thunderbird T Bird parts off California Thunderbirds T Birds | 1955 Thunderbird T Bird Parts 1956 Thunderbird T Bird Parts 1957 Thunderbird T Bird Parts off California 1955 1956 1957 Th

Also check this thread for more info and pics of latches.
http://www.tbirdforum.com/forums/off...p-latches.html

Jim