rogernison

A question I have had for a long time. The upper windshield header of all 1969 cars that I have noticed have four Phillips screws, 2 on each side of the T-bar on coupes. My 1969 coupe was produced approximately January 20-21, 1969, it does not have these screws. Now the question: Was there a production change, or was that step simply missed in production of my car? Any help would be appreciated, I hope someone can shed sone light on my question!

Alan 71

Hi r,
I believe you'll find the ss header trim on 68 production cars had trim WITHOUT the 4 holes. The 4 holes and screws were ADDED and continued during production from that point.
I'm not sure if or how long the trim without the holes continued into 69 production.
Regards,
Alan

loup68

Not only were the holes added, new shaped cast chrome header ends were applied. The 68 ends have a flatter top curve to them, with the no hole SS trim. Lou.

Alan 71

Hi Lou,
Thanks! I didn't realize the end castings had changed too.
I was hoping you'd see r's post.
Regards,
Alan

LT-1 kid

thats another cool item on the 68-early 69 cars, it looks much better
without the screw holes, I think the holes started about september 69

CanadaGrant

My 69 coupe has a build date of Oct 24/69 and it has the 4 screws on the top of the panel.

rogernison

I do know that a buddy of mine waited for his new car as it set on the production line during the strike, (spring of 1969) His car has the screws.
Does anyone know a closer date of the change?

Alan 71

Hi r,
Are you asking about the corner castings or the larger ss piece?
From what I'm reading it appears the change of the large ss trim piece may have taken place late in the calendar year 1968.
I found a Dec. built car with the screws, and a December car without the screws, which is probably pretty typical for this kind of change.
Is it possible that the windshield frame (birdcage) configuration determined which piece of trim the car got. (With or without the provision for the screws to be fastened?)
What's you car's build date?
Regards,
Alan

Faster Rat

April 7 build...last day before strike

loup68

Thank you Alan. The windshield header has four added spot welded pieces on the top, that hold those four screws. That is why they had to make the curve higher on the chrome end pieces. The 69 SS piece must curve higher to match this.
I found this all out the hard way, when I tried to change my 68 ends with the Trim Parts reproduction pieces that say 69-up. I also found out that the new upper SS windshield reveal molding's ends were not as curved as my original one and did not fit! Lou.

CanadaGrant

Would anyone happen to have a pic of the 4 screw mounting points or how they attach on the W/S header?

loup68

The 69 AIM shows them, I think on one side. The screw holes are for water to drain into the header to rust it. Lou.

Alan 71

Hi CG,
Here's the center pair of small brackets. They're pop riveted to the header.
The 2 screws closer to the ends of the header attach to u-clips on the corner castings.
Regards,
Alan



Ugly header. Not typical screws for trim clips… no speed nuts were used.



U-clip on corner casting.

xpoc454

Ill check mine tonight and post a picture also.

xpoc454

March 15 1969 car.<br/>

Alan 71

Hi x,
Interesting, a March 15th car with-out and an April 7th car with!
What I was reading seemed to indicate the change over occurred earlier in production?!?
Regards,
Alan

xpoc454

What was the link that you can put you vin and it can give you rough estimate if cars manufacturer date. OK double check mine .

Alan 71

Hi x,
The best source of build date is really on the trim tag.
Is the trim tag still on your car?
Typically a code letter for the Month… 'A' starts for the first month of production (often August, but not always), and then 2 digits for the day of the month.
The date on the tag is when the tag was installed on the body; typically the car left the line 1 or 2 days later.
Regards,
Alan

F14… January 14th, 1971

xpoc454

H14 here