Top frame parts

[JimMac]

I am finally getting ready to paint and install my top frame. I need to replace the piece that holds the front rubber seal from the top to the windshield. It is a long piece with 2 end pieces and I am missing one of the end pieces and the long piece is too rusted to use. Does anyone know anyplace I could purchase these or what they are called?

 

[JimMac]

I am finally getting ready to paint and install my top frame. I need to replace the piece that holds the front rubber seal from the top to the windshield. It is a long piece with 2 end pieces and I am missing one of the end pieces and the long piece is too rusted to use. Does anyone know anyplace I could purchase these or what they are called?View attachment 1715286365 View attachment 1715286366

I should mention this is for a 1965 Valiant convertible.

 

[66Dvert]

I should mention this is for a 1965 Valiant convertible.

that part is pretty hard to come by. I fixed mine and then had a friend make one from ABS so I could have a real surface to hold the seal in with. here was mine I used tape and super glue mixed and added baking soda as a filler for the holes so he could get a good shape to make the part from. it took him about 3 weeks to get it right and we used up 1/2 a sheet of 1/8" ABS just test fitting the part. I wish we had taken a molded part off of the replacement piece since My 66 also needs one. it''s in the works again after the engine is finished and as I get the top ready I'll post pic's of the progress. I 'll probably make the mold this time and them make 10 or so since I tend to like the 64-66 darts and valiant convertibles. I have 2 66 darts right now.
the wife's it's supposed to be black/black interior and white top v8. but will end up B5 blue pearl white interior and a white top.

'
my 66 that's waiting on me to finish putting it together after the machine work. /6 was gold on gold with black top, IS cool vanilla with gold pearl topcoat and 96 sebring interior front and rear seats.

here is my "almost all there piece which I had to fill the holes in.

 

[JimMac]

Thanks for the info. I can probably repair the long part but I would like to locate the end piece I am missing for the passenger side. Mine is a Canadian valiant custom 100. I have the body finished in a pearl red color. I like your sebring seat idea. I know it allows you to have shoulder seat belts. Too bad you did not have that mold for the parts now I would be a buyer for a set.

 

[JimMac]

Thanks for the info. I can probably repair the long part but I would like to locate the end piece I am missing for the passenger side. Mine is a Canadian valiant custom 100. I have the body finished in a pearl red color. I like your sebring seat idea. I know it allows you to have shoulder seat belts. Too bad you did not have that mold for the parts now I would be a buyer for a set.

Here is as picture of mine. It is a lot more finished now.

 

[66Dvert]

Thanks for the info. I can probably repair the long part but I would like to locate the end piece I am missing for the passenger side. Mine is a Canadian valiant custom 100. I have the body finished in a pearl red color. I like your sebring seat idea. I know it allows you to have shoulder seat belts. Too bad you did not have that mold for the parts now I would be a buyer for a set.

Car sure does look SWEET.

I'd just trace the original part on the other side and flip pattern . I had to make mine from 3 pieces off of different cars . if you do make a a tracing could you scan it and email it to me? I'd like to make mine as close to original shape as possible (but made from ABS so they don't rot) here is my attempt at pattern making . BTW my friend is going to help me make that long part out of ABS when he comes down for a visit in July this year.

I have sucesfully made some parts for my convertible such as side glass wing divider cushions (convertible specific)
here they are getting molded up. yeah I used my kids old lego set.

some custom made kick panels for 5 1/4"speakers

the side panel trim that is always dry and brittle on my cars. I'm still testing it on how to make it look good and cut it out straight? I SUCK at hand cutting things out.

and the top finish trim

to date I have only made 1 of these though. My first one( Bunch of failures included ) probably cost me $300.00 and it's not prefect. I am working with a pro now and he's giving me pointers to help make that monster, probably the easiest way is to make a female and Draw the plastic down ,but it gets really thin down there in the bottom. It's the simplest design s that can be stupid hard to do right.

 

[JimMac]

You are able to do a lot of things I would not try. I will trace the one I have and send you a copy. At this point I just painted the parts for the top frame and now have to figure out how to put it back together. If you have any pictures of the top frame with the top removed I would appreciate them. My car is in a shop on another property I own that is a short drive from my house but we have been getting snowed in every day this week so I am shovelling snow instead of working on the car.

 

[66Dvert]

You are able to do a lot of things I would not try. I will trace the one I have and send you a copy. At this point I just painted the parts for the top frame and now have to figure out how to put it back together. If you have any pictures of the top frame with the top removed I would appreciate them. My car is in a shop on another property I own that is a short drive from my house but we have been getting snowed in every day this week so I am shovelling snow instead of working on the car.

Naw, Not really able to do things other people can't , I'm just too broke to pay other people to do things So I'm sort of forced to do it.
You valiant is just a little bit different on the top material itself but almost a duplicate of the Frame parts. here is the back mounting position that is critical in aligning the top to A pillar (windshield frame)raising or lowering the big screw and toothed plate shifts it left or right

here is most of the metal that has the seals in them

another view of the way the metal is mounted to the frame

full "ish" view of the complete top with bows(hey ignore the seat on there I took it out to test fit the top well) and see if my power windows really did work

 

[JimMac]

Thanks , Those will be a great help since I did not take any pictures until I had the frame out of the car. Keep in mind that I have a 1966 Canadian Valiant 4 door parts car that is similar to a Dart in many ways if you need any small parts. I am in Canada so shipping large pieces is costly.