62Jeff

Greetings,
Today I replaced the headliner in my 65 coupe.

This is a pretty straight forward task, but until you've done it, it can seem intimidating. So I wanted to take a moment to document the process with a few photos and words, for those who wish to know more before they take their car apart.

I removed the interior trim as follows:

1. Sun visors
2. Interior rearview mirror
3. A-Pillar trim
4. Center trim
5. Side trim at the door opening

With those elements out, slide the headliner forward and out of the gap that separates the roof from the Halo.


At this point the headliner is out.


Observe the Birdcage, and photograph for future reference. In this case, my Silver/Silver car was very thoroughly painted Red at some point in the past.

The new headliner snaps into place and does not require any glue for installation. The Al Knoch headliner required no trimming or modification.

Insert the new headliner into the gap that separates the roof and the Halo until the forward edge of the headliner snaps up into the roof just inside the birdcage. Install the center trim.


Install the side trim.


Install the A-Pillar trim.


Now the mirror and sun visors, and you are done:


Jeff

Vet65te

Jeff, looks good and I like the chrome too. Since your Coupe had been 'touched' long before you did the headliner job, out of curiosity did you find those odd clips still in place that go about midway for the upper/side trim above the doors?
They were long gone in my 65 Coupe and I didn't even realize they were supposed to be there till I did the headliner in the 66 Coupe.
Mike T.

62Jeff

I think so. There were 2 flat metal clips on each door opening, on which the side trim slides. The forward-most clip is located such that the A-Pillar trim must also snap over it. You can see one of them in my first photo.

Is that what you were describing?

1snake

I think he's referring to the clips (one on each side) that slide into the moulding and fit into a slot that is in the middle of the door opening.
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000370a

Jim

62Jeff

Ah, in that case I must be missing those.

Vet65te

Yep, those are the ones I was asking about. Both were missing on the 65 and I only found one in the 66 when it was time to do the headliner. I suppose they either slip out or get busted up when someone is doing the headliner/moulding replacement.
Mike T.

BLee

Looks good. So how are you at convertible tops?

rayvaflav

I replaced the headliner in my '66 coupe a coupla' years back and those same clips were there. I found it necessary to notch the new headliner at those clip positions just as the old one had.

Ray

66BlkBB

You got it. I had to do the same thing. I installed and removed it about 5 times before I got the cuts correct without going to far.

Pilot Dan

Nice write up Jeff. One other thing to add, it would be a good time to install Dynamat or other insulation under the headliner for extra sound deadening. Makes a big difference in a Coupe. Pilot Dan

woodsdesign

Just wondering, when you install dynomat under the headliner is there any concern about the thickness? Especially by the edges where the trim is attached.

1snake

I don't know what the repo. headliners fit like but the originals sit tight against the roof and any additional material under them would not only be noticeable but would affect the fit as well.

Jim

deejaydu

Very nice installation Jeff and very well documented but I would expect nothing less.

Jay

Vet65te

I added Dynamat Extreme to my 65 and 66 Coupes with no problem. The 65 has the original headliner shell and the 66 has a repro headliner that has the same vinyl/foam faced shell just as the original. No installation issues with either of them, mostly because Dynamat Extreme is only about .060 thick.

When installing the Dynamat, just make sure to thoroughly wash down the inside roof surface with a decent degreaser like Enamel Reducer and use a roller to make sure you get good contact.
Mike T.

1snake

The originals have NO foam or vinyl in their construction. If yours did, it had already been replaced once. Unfortunately, nobody makes a correct replacement.

Jim

Vet65te

The 65's only have the textured shell, the 66's had a vinyl facing with a thin foam backing.
Mike T. This is from the Zip Parts Catalog.

63-67 Headliners are constructed of a vinyl material in the correct color bonded to a rigid plastic backing. The 1966 and 1967 models have a layer of foam mounted in between the vinyl and plastic. 1967 models include visor recesses molded into the headliner.

1snake

Since this thread is about a 65, that's what I thought we were talking about. Your quote from the Zip catalog is referring to hardtop headliners. It also says "Coupe headliners are all vinyl". That may be what they are selling but that's not a correct statement regarding the originals.

Jim

Black_Magic

Nice indeed

With Jeff's permission I have added his write-up to web site so we will have it for future reference.

View it here ===> Click Here

Thanks Jeff

George

Vet65te

If you read further into the Zip catalog, you'll find the same writeup for Coupes. The poster inquiring about installing Dynamat would have no fitment problems regardless of whether they have a stock vinyl covered shell headliner from a 65 OR a vinyl/foam covered headliner used in 66 or 67 since Dynamat Extreme is only a 16th of an inch in thickness.
Mike T.

BB64VETTE

Jeff, All,

Perfect timing! Started my headliner install last night and have never seen it with the trim in place. Was trying to get the installation order thought out. My trim has been wrapped in news paper since 2003 so the pics are a huge help! Much appreciate you posting. Will see how it goes today and post a photo or two. Mine had what appears to be an original liner--almost like a thin fiberglass insulation material with a thin black paper-like covering. Headliner went in fine and side trim pieces (above side windows) were tight but went on with a gentle bump from a rubber mallet. Again thanks for the taking the time to post.

Bo