Convertible assembly parts

[failed_ethics]

Does anyone have pictures of a 64 dart convertible(or similar build) assembly with the top down and no boot covering it?

On mine it appears there were latches on either side to hold the top down then have the boot over it, but there are just two metal arms, no actual latches.

I've searched and have never been able to find a picture of what it should look like, and never been able to find a supplier for the part(if there is one).

Any help would be appreciated since the point of a convert is to have the top down, and I really don't want to cruise with bungee cords holding the thing down haha.

 

[RedFish]

I've never seen any make of convertible top that had latches holding it in the down position.

 

[failed_ethics]

Then I have absolutely no idea what these arms are for. I'll take a picture today.

 

[doug 371]

my 66 had nothing like that...

 

[48limo]

they are for a manual top,has plastic clips to hold the top down,i got some from gary goers yrs ago,try him

 

[failed_ethics]

It is a manual so I guess that explains it, ill look him up. Thanks.

 

[redrag64]

Yes, the manual tops did have a hold down latch on both sides. Mine were metal with plastic on the end. One was snapped and the other side was very hard to get to engage once the new top was on. I was worried about how tight it compressed the new top, so I just rigged two new ones that were a little "taller." They work fine. If you do the same, the top frame sits a little higher, so you might not be able to use a pre-fabbed boot. My shop made the boot for less than the ready made versions, and it looks/works great.

 

[chewy]

My '65 with manual top has them. They have a nylon plastic end on the hold-down bracket. I have replaced them once, as they dont handle the head down here in Vegas. The last set bent before they ended up breaking off or bending to the point they dont hold down the top anymore. I'm back to bailing wire to hold the top down again. Dad used bailing wire on it from the time he purchased the car back in 75.

I'll be buying another set of ends from the Laysons booth at Mopars at the strip. The price has doubled since I bought the last set. Ordering them online takes about 1-2 months to arrive. Will be just as fast to wait till they are in town.

It'd be nice to have a set made out of brass or another non-scarring metal and never have to worry about replacing them again.