Convertible Top

[young couple old cars]

I have a 55 Bird, and my convertible top is sagging above the window frame. Where is the pin or nut that I can turn to help keep the top and window fram flush? I have already read the owners manual and I don't understand it. Pictures would really help, but not necessary.

 

[nomadbird]

"Side Rail Sag" is almost legendary among '55 and early '56 soft tops. I don't own an early top and I have never heard of a mechanical adjustment like you mention. The only way that I know to adjust the sag is to re-adjust the two web straps running from front to back. This is one of those jobs that is best performed by an experienced auto trimmer.

The problem with sagging was serious enough to prompt Ford to redesign the soft top frame adding a brace, and eliminating the problem. This is the "late" soft top you may hear people mention. It came out in spring '56 and was used on remaining '56 production and all '57s.

Tom

 

[CUSTOMUPHOLSTERY]

I am also restoring a 55 for a customer and am experiencing the same side rail frame sag. I am pretty sure an adjustment to the frame can be performed to help eliminate this. If anyone has a shop manual for the 55 bird, I'd greatly appreciate looking at it. I've had much success in elinating the sag in these rails on many other vehicles by adjusting the tension on the frame for the rear of the door glass, however, on this car, I'm not sure how this is done. I'm working on it.