70-71 E-body Convertible Manual Top Hold Down INFO NEEDED

[Dana67Dart]

Hi all,

I am developing a replacement plastic head for the 70-71 E body convertibles with manual top.

I am supplying screws and nuts to secure the plastic to the OEM spring metal. (A buyer could obtain rivets and use those if they want the most OEM look but they will not be supplied. The recessed hole in the plastic for the rivet / screw head is the same ID as the OEM part) I need to be sure my screws are the correct size so no drilling is needed to the OEM spring metal.

I need to determine the hole size in the ends of the spring metal the OEM plastic is riveted thru.

These are prototype mockups (Any dimensions that look off in the photos is just photographic anomalies)

 

[pschlosser]

I wish you were planning to fabricate the metal strap and make the whole assembly. With rivets. I would be interested in a couple sets of those.

if you have an OEM assembly now, can you not sacrifice it and drill out the rivets and measure the holes in the strap?

but if you were fabricating your own assembly, you would likely choose the standard diameter matching the rivet.

 

[Dana67Dart]

if you have an OEM assembly now, can you not sacrifice it and drill out the rivets and measure the holes in the strap

It's on loan. And too pricy for me to buy.

As for the entire assembly... Up front costs too high for me.

 

[Dana67Dart]

I wish you were planning to fabricate the metal strap

I have CAD for the metal strap but no plans to make it. I'll price it out for shitts and giggles

 

[Dana67Dart]

I'm working up a price for the spring metal and the plastic latch, rivets paint etc. Now for the tough part how much would you be willing to pay for a set of 2 pieces? This does not include the lower V shaped part that bolts to the body.

The plastic would be white not yellowed like the OEM part. (My guess is the original part would have been more white then yellowed originally????) it could be painted????