Getting into the trunk?

[efancher]

I am preparing to sell my ailing father-in-law's one owner 64 convertible. Although he has owned the car since new, he has at times scrimped on repairs so the car has problems although it is complete.

Questions: He recently had a new top installed but the convertible mechanism is not working. Is there a way to open the deck lid manually to access the area and the top workings? The top is up. Can it be lowered manually?

What are the 2 toggles on the dash on either side of the red indicator lights just under the vent and wiper switches for? One has a "D" on it. Not sure about the other one.

On the left side of the console, there is a dial. What does this do? Also. behind (to the rear of) it is what looks like a switch of some sort at the top of a fixed fake dial(?). Any idea on that one?

Thanks for any help. I'm sure I will have more questions.

[Captain Mike]

A non-working convertible top could be any number of things....bad switch on the console, bad rotary switch in the trunk.....deck lid lock screws that are binding....low hydraulic fluid....misaligned rear bumper....and on and on and on. You can get into the trunk through the back seat, but I'd suggest opening the trunk manually. If you hear clicking in the trunk when pressing the "top down" switch, take off both rear wheels and put the car on jack stands, then unbolt the lock screw housings from inside the wheel well. Pry open the deck lid a bit and hit the "top down" switch on the console again. If the top kicks in and opens up, then you may only need to adjust the lock screws and housings and get them back in alignment. My 64 droptop sounds a lot like yours -- it had been badly neglected by an older gentleman in East Dallas before I got it 4 years ago. Bear in mind, that it may be easier to sell the car "as is" with top problems to a Tbird enthusiast than to fix it. Good luck whichever way you decide!

[boaterbob]

I agree you may be better off selling it as is unless your good at that type of trouble shooting. All T-Bird suppliers sell a top trouble shooting book. It's cheap and i found it to be very helpfull over the years.

[efancher]

Thanks for the help guys!

What can y'all tell me about the toggles and the fake dial looking thing on the console?

If I had the time, place and money, I'd take this on. But, I'd rather get my grandmothers original 64 hardtop that my dad currently has stored. It will require much less work and is in much better condition.

There is a guy going to look at it tomorrow to try and value the thing. There seems to be a huge variance in prices but most convertibles I found on-line appear to bring much more, even in marginal condition, than the best of the hardtops.

[Yoda]

I think the two toggle switches are probably the vacuum door lock (D) and automatic antenna.

As for the "dials," there is one to the left of the heater that controls the fan speed and another to the left of the window switches that adjusts cruise control speed. At speed, you pull up on the chrome knob below the dial engaging cruise and then use the dial to accelerate (set the dial to the lowest setting before engaging).

At least that what the knobs/dials on my 65 convertible do - I imagine the 64 is similar.

[efancher]

Hey thanks! That was exactly what I wanted to know and is what they are. This seems to be a loaded bird. I saw the bellows for the cruise under the hood but did not know where the controls were. The "D" toggle did make a vacuum noise. The "A" may well be for the antenna but it was replaced somewhere down the line with a fixed mast antenna.

Thanks again!

[Captain Mike]

Values for the convertibles are always higher than the hardtops. I believe there were 9,194 convertibles built for 1964. These cars however have a very complex and cantankerous convertible top system that requires proper care and maintenance. Their reputation for "difficultness" will scare off some buyers too. In my opinion, values on these Tbird convertibles would be higher if they didn't have that reputation. Good luck with the sale!

[tbird5866]

The switches under the clock are for the power door locks and the emergency flashers. The antenna is a lever between the air controls and the wiper/washer controls. I hope you received my offer to help you with these problems...

[efancher]

Thanks! Everyone on the board has been very helpful. If this car had been better taken care of I would fight to keep it. As it is, it will be sold in an estate sale in March.

It may not be as bad as I make it out but from what I can tell, at a minimum it needs: All new rubber trim, everywhere; new or reworked chrome including grill and bumpers as well as all the small minor trim pieces most of which don't align properly inside and out any more; Reworked instrument panel and switch panels including new speedo, switches and toggles; I would install a new wiring harness to fix and eliminate current and future problems.

Known problems: top is new but doesn't operate and pulling the back seat out reveals some missing hoses and a loose motor (on its mount). All relays appear to be in place but condition is not known; brakes are poor needing at a minimum a correct power booster and master cylinder; right side exhaust gasket; reworked AC (frozen compressor); and last and the most expensive and time consuming, a complete body strip, smooth and quality repaint.

I believe the 390 is sound with only 87k on it. It has an Edelbrock AFB style carb that works very well and fits the factory air cleaner.There are numerous vacuum hoses that may not be correct and the washer doesn't work. I believe the tranny and steering are good. Upholstery is fine, the dash pad is good, the door panels are acceptable as is even the carpet. It has all 4 hub caps.

My dream is a simple 65 327 4 speed Vette convert but I could drive a car like this also. Fortunately, my dad still has my grandmother's original 64 hard top in Ford orange/pink with white roof.

Thanks again! I'll stay on the board as my brothers and I are talking about getting the hard top out of storage and roadworthy again.

[tbirdman]

Originally Posted by boaterbob

I agree you may be better off selling it as is unless your good at that type of trouble shooting. All T-Bird suppliers sell a top trouble shooting book. It's cheap and i found it to be very helpfull over the years.

I think you are better off buying the shop manual. It has the all the top infomation in it plus the rest of the car. I think the best value is buying the shop manual on CD which also comes with a parts book and illustrated parts guide.