Hard Top ID
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 19
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Hard Top ID
I bought a hard top for my 63 many years ago. I did not know what year it was from because it fit and at the time that was all I was interested in. The back plexiglas has since spider webbed pretty bad so I would like to put a new window in. Are all years the same or will I need to find out the specific year? Is there something on the window that will tell me the year? Thanks for any help I can get.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
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From: Willowbrook IL
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: NorCal
According to Noland Adams book on page 113 - "early '63 hardtops had an interference problem with the top rear corner of the door. Later tops, after 12-4-62, had a cutaway to provide extra clearance".
He lists several running changes made during the '63 model year in trim and brackets, such as rear widow inside trim originally being two piece but later changed to three, and a rear window reinforcing bracket being added.
It may be possible to identify if your top is a '63 by checking these items.
He lists several running changes made during the '63 model year in trim and brackets, such as rear widow inside trim originally being two piece but later changed to three, and a rear window reinforcing bracket being added.
It may be possible to identify if your top is a '63 by checking these items.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
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Hardtop rear window date coding varied over the years for midyears (63-67). The date code in the above picture translates the “J” (lower left) = October, and the “F” (upper right) = 1966. So, the Plexiglas in the picture was manufactured October 1966.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 814
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From: toronto ontario
I bought a hardtop several years ago that was off a 67, covered in vinyl. During resteration of the top I noticed a number punched into the frame under the area where the weather strips fit. Can't remember the exact location, but I think it was bottom of the sail panel. The number was was very difficult to see.
Last edited by macs65; Mar 22, 2013 at 08:47 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
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It would be on the bottom corner (which points to the door handles); a slight cut to clear that upper corner of the area, maybe about 1/3 of an inch higher than the rest of the bottom line, to the rear of the stainless steel trim piece behind the side window.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Kirtland Ohio
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 987
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From: Kingwood Texas
Thanks for the drawing. Looks like mine has a very small relief , 1/8" or less in this area. Seems smaller than you suggest. Perhaps someone way back did a little "field adjustment"
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Also, here's a pic of the date code on a 63 HT.
My eyes aren't as good as they used to be,
and the pic is blurry, but you can see that the 63 HT's are dated in the format M-YY, This one looks like 7 63.Chuck