anyway to fix headliner?
This product looks promising to me. Might be worth checking out.
http://www.tearmender.com/
Also, though I can't comment on early A's, if the headliner is hooked to gripper teeth under the front and rear window gaskets (no trim), then no, you don't have to remove the glass. Just pull the edge of the rubber down and look inside. You'll see what I mean.