1955 Soft top operation question | Ford Thunderbird club group 1955-2005 T-Bird models

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1955 Soft top operation question

  • Thread starter Thread starter 99xracer
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99xracer

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Thunderbird Year
1957
Just purchased a clean 55 with a soft top that's in great shape. I've ordered an owner's manual just waiting for it to show up. I'm struggling with how to lower the top and store it behind the seats. I've unlatched the latches on the windshield, the ones next to the door and rear bullet latches. I've looked everywhere on the internet and there are no videos or pictures on how to collapse the top and fold it down behind the seats. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

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Here are a couple of things to start. Definitely, get a helper! The one thing I tend to forget is release the frame hinges behind the driver and passenger's heads. Put the seat as far forward as it can go so the top doesn't damage it while folding into place. I unzip the window completely so it doesn't crease too much while stored. Disengage all of the clamps. Lift the top up off the windshield first and get that folded down. Then pick the frame up off the deck squeezing everything together and flop it up and over into place. It's a very tight squeeze between the door welting so be very cautious.

Is taking it off the back deck what releases the hinges? When i try and fold it down without taking it off the back deck the hinges only fold slightly?

When you release those hinges, they will only bend a small amount. I believe you're right. When you lift off the deck, those hinges will collapse further

Even though the clamps are "undone" the j hooks will keep catching which will stop you from moving the top where you want.
Once you do get the top folded into place, be sure you get the J hooks down as far as they'll go or they'll hit the cardboard seat back.
 
ALWAYS open both doors when swinging the seat forward. If you don't, the seat drags past the armrests. Once or twice is OK, but after years it will damage the seat and the armrests. ALSO.. I use material that is flexible, kind of like the flexible cutting boards, very thin, and place it between the top & the rear opening of the door. This is so when you squeeze the top in behind the seat (the seat is wider than the opening) you will protect the top from damage. Try locking the rear clips down first & then try locking the forward clips first. You will see a difference & know which is easier. The video didn't show it, but you should lock that curtain to the snaps (if you still have them). Best of luck!
 
Hello Folks - I’m a newbie on here and with a new to me restored (mostly) 1957 312.

I’ll have plenty more questions but right now today something that is making me crazy is the convertible top - In particular I have two issues I am struggling with.

1) When stowing the top it is VERY difficult to drop it into the storage area behind the seat. I am following the documented procedures and the videoed process I have seen online but my top just doesn’t want to fit in the space between the doors very well. The guys I bought it from said you have to ‘twist the top a little to get it to fit in the space’ and having had other classic convertibles I dont think twisting any top is a good idea. The fact of the matter is while attempting to get this stowed and due to the tight fit I now will have to re-staple to cavas and welting on the top because it worked itself loose on the passenger side while trying to stow it. It seemed like the door pillar welting was getting in the way so I took those off just to see how it would stow then and it still pretty tight. And not a good long term solution as that raw metal edge is bad in so many ways. It just seems like the top is much wider than the opening. Is there something I am missing here?

2) When the top is up and buttoned down I just noticed (yes I was not seeing the trees in the forest when I bought her) while the Drivers side rear quarter area of the top meets the body and seals perfectly, the passenger side rear quarter area (where the curve/corner is) of the top just isn’t sealing to the body. There is maybe a 1/4” of day light from a few inches from the rear latch around to a few inches or so from the side latch. It seems like maybe the stowage mechanisms for the top have some adjustment bolts BUT I am not ready to just experiement and see what does what - so I was hoping maybe someone here had experience with this and could provide some advice.

I really appreciate any help you all can offer. I LOVE this car, I’ve always wanted one and while overall I think I made a good purchase there are a few things that I still have to work out to make the car close to perfect (for me anyway). Thanks!
B
 
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