1964 Dart Headliner

[cchrishefish]

I put in my headliner 2 years ago, and I did manage to get a small rip in the tail section when I did the install. The headliner was in the trunk for years by the previous owner. I am not happy with my install. I did not have the proper headliner bows the last time, most were missing and I had to use universal ones. Now, I have the correct numbered ones to do the install, and I have sail panel boards that I did not know existed along with a new headliner.

My question is: Should I try for the second time to do it right, or is this a job best left for an experienced professional?

 

[BillGrissom]

I put a new headliner in my 69 Dart and 65 Newport many years ago, and they looked fine. The Newport one was a bit loose at first, but shrunk tighter over time. I plan to put one in my 65 Dart soon. I have heard best to leave in the sun first to soften, however I don't want it to shrink too tight and rip the seams. I'll probably hang it in the sun to flatten the folds, but let it cool before putting it in.

You can probably fix the rip, if the material is sound. Did it rip on a seam or in the middle? If the later, the material might be old and brittle.

Where did you get the sail panel boards? Mine disintegrated. What about the paper "package tray" behind the rear seat? I didn't notice numbers on my bows. Are they stamped on the factory ones? Do they count from #1 at the front?

 

[cchrishefish]

I purchased the bows with them counted from front to back by a person stripping a car for parts, my car had them missing when purchased. They must be put back into a car in the same order. The sail panel boards and package tray were purchased from legendary auto interiors here in Upstate, NY. I have an extra set of bows that I purchased before knowing that they needed to be labeled. I am planning on putting each set of bows next to each other, and label the one set and sell or trade for something I need.