Quote:
Packard Filip wrote:
Thanks for your reply Leeedy. I think my description of the part was poorly worded though, I didn't mean the chromed bow that goes on the convertible top itself. I meant the top part of the windshield frame at the front of the car, the part that the convertible top attaches to.
I believe that part to be cast in Zamac/Kirksite originally. I am hesitant to recast it in a different material too of course, it'd change the weight distribution of the car but not sure to what degree. I think it will be challenging to find that particular part.
No problem... I perfectly understood your reference. A casting is a casting. And what you refer to is known in the North American convertible business as a "header bow." Again... a header bow for a 1956 Caribbean involves several pieces:
• the bow itself
• a trim retainer
• a tack strip
• a weatherstrip retainer
• a weatherstrip
• a pair of latches
As a retired Lead Engineer for a car corporation for North America, and as someone who has owned well over 100 convertibles... and a shop where we replaced tops, I assure you that I know these tops. I have also designed tops and developed convertibles at the OEM level. I know convertibles In every possible way. Very, very well. Especially for the Caribbean.
When you say "chrome bow that goes on the convertible top itself" you must be be referencing the stainless steel trim covering on the main rear bow, not the front bow. There was no bright trim on the front bow of a 1956 Caribbean convertible top. Only on the rear bow.
And this original stainless trim today is usually missing as well. It is comprised of a U-shaped retainer channel that attaches directing to the exterior of the rear bow. This channel was then covered with a bright stainless steel trim finisher with a screw on each end.
A lot of modern-day trim shops toss these pieces and substitute trim-shop short-cuts like a thing called a "wire-on" or worse... a thing called a "hidem." Bad ideas for a Caribbean top.
There was also a stainless trim strip at the rear beltline location, where the fabric attached to the body. Again, these pieces are often thrown away by modern trim shops that do not understand these parts are urgently required.
As for differences in vehicle weight distribution... this is not critical, especially with Torsion-Level suspension. But weight distribution on the convertible top itself is very sensitive. The power mechanism was designed to lower and raise only so much weight. And a heavy header bow can totally change the center-of-gravity which can alter the require folding specs.
Whole topstack frames or just header bows are indeed around. You just have to look. One was on eBay some time back. And another was loose in the recent auction that took place in New York state. There is another in Ohio. These are not impossible components to find. Just depends on patience and how much you want to spend. Never be in a hurry on such things. Take your time, look around diligently and eventually you will have success.
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