The
63-64 top frame is a collection of pieces whose assembly
and use can frustrate even the most patient owner. It was
designed to be taken apart and stored in the trunk; along
with the softop. Well of course it had to; so your six
foot six; two hundred sixty pound son can ride around
with you in the sideways back seat that even your cat
would find cramped.
It
is rare to see any of these frames anymore; in ANY
condition; most have had their pieces scattered across
the cosmos; like garbage from the space station. It is
extremely rare to see one with a front wood bow in one
piece. Most have turned to mush or sawdust. Somebody must
have had the foresight to remove this from the trunk and
store indoors for longer periods of no use. I always
wanted to take an intact one to a wood shop and get them
copied other than some crude pieces.
It
would probably be expensive to steam bend wood which is
how I think these might have been done originally; but
with todays cad/cam machines it might be possibe to
easily cut one of these out of some pieces of ash or
something. If it is good enough to use as an axe handle
or baseball bat; should withstand the rigors in duty
above the windshield!
Although
the rear hoops have some rust pitting in the chrome; this
one is the best set we have had; I looked at all the
other loose rear hoop sets we have. They also had a hard
life living in the trunks; if they hadn't been chromed
they would really be hideous.
Any
threaded nut I'd suggest running a cleaning tap down. The
hardware that is normally mounted on the wood bow is
there; but it would need to be replated to look nice.
Some of those pieces we have new as well.
Top
has a small unplated bracket on one side on the wood bow
(pic C) that I do not recognize. It may be something for
some kind of homemade visor.
I
noticed the wood bow has a split in one end (in picture)
but it doesn't seem to be affectng the
structure.
Originally
the cars came with a similar knob to what is behind the
seat to clamp the 3 posts on the windshield and the two
side bars on one end. These have become almost vapor
parts. People typically just use bolts. When we used to
get new top frames that were missing them and put tops on
for people; we would get some round knurled head
bolts;vlooked a bit classier then normal bolts; and
include a hex drive socket and a 1/4 ratchet; similiar to
what Toyota used on the Targa Top models of the Supra. I
even found some chrome ones once. Bought all they had; a
"lifetime" supply; that rolled on out of here in a few
years.
I
contacted my source in Japan and I can still the
originals at least for the time being; but they are
rather expensive when a simple allen bolt could look good
as well.
The
big problem with this frame is the two side arms (Fig H)
are both from the SAME SIDE. You'd have to take one to a
competent fabricator and have one made. I don't think the
extra one I'm providing could be rebent; but would help
as a pattern while the other one is being
made.
Check
your car carefully; I've found more than one of these
lying in the wells on each side of the trunk floor; or
under a car seat...
If
you do not have heavy chrome brackets that mount on each
side behind your seats; we have those in various
conditions on used softop parts page you were just on.
The part number starts with 979; there is a sample of
what the part looks like and some descriptions of
different conditions and prices.
