[jrager]

Several weeks ago I posted a question regarding the 69 Camaro Convertible top boot.
Some of my top boot clips would not stay down and it look like crap.
I got some good feedback but nothing to concrete.

I had some extra top boot clips and decided to add a few to the areas that had a hard time staying down on the trim.
I used a razor blade to cut in the new clips.

The stock configuration was one clip ever 8" or 10" or so. I added one every 3" to 4" and it helped hold down the boot much better.
My boot is not 100% perfect but it is 95% there now.
Just wanted to share my results and fix to the team.

I am going to try replacing the other stock clips with new ones to see it if helps even more.

 

[rs1968ss]

I'm thinking about having snaps put on my chrome molding and then having a custom boot made up from the same material that my top is made of. Then I should be able to save my fingers and thumbs from the torture of trying to put a boot on in cool weather. Ouch!

------------------
-Randy
Cars:
<A HREF="http://www.camaroclubkc.com/rs1968ss.htm" TARGET=_blank>68 RS/SS BB ragtop
</A>RWHP: 329.4 RWTQ: 398.9
63 Nova II ragtop
Club:
Camaro Club of Kansas City

 

[68ragtop]

Don't do it...

Snaps that is,

Some clown did that to mine before i bought it...
anyone have a spare stainless top moulding around???

mine's got a million holes in it

John

 

[denverRS/SS]

I have a question for you guys, I have a new repro top boot for my '67 and it doesn't fit over the top. Has anyone else run into this? It seems like if I remove some of the padding that is underneath the boot, it might fit. Any suggestions?

 

[rs1968ss]

I have a spare moulding that is why I'm going to put snaps on one of them.

------------------
-Randy
Cars:
<A HREF="http://www.camaroclubkc.com/rs1968ss.htm" TARGET=_blank>68 RS/SS BB ragtop
</A>RWHP: 329.4 RWTQ: 398.9
63 Nova II ragtop
Club:
Camaro Club of Kansas City

 

[rs1968ss]

As for the boot? Get your hair dryer out. Put it on after it is warm. Trying to put on a cold boot is almost impossible.

------------------
-Randy
Cars:
<A HREF="http://www.camaroclubkc.com/rs1968ss.htm" TARGET=_blank>68 RS/SS BB ragtop
</A>RWHP: 329.4 RWTQ: 398.9
63 Nova II ragtop
Club:
Camaro Club of Kansas City

 

[Mark C]

You don't want to pull that molding off unless you absolutely have to. They are a major pain in th a$$ to put back on correctly, and you will tear up your paint doing it. They almost never fit back tight onto the pinchweld after they are taken off.

I hate it when people put snaps on a car to holt the boot on. Just a personal opinion, but it looks very bush league.


------------------
Mark Canning
1969 Indy Pace Car
350/300HP RPO Z11
My 69 L48 - 350/300HP Engine

 

[DjD]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mark C:
You don't want to pull that molding off unless you absolutely have to. They are a major pain in th a$$ to put back on correctly, and you will tear up your paint doing it. They almost never fit back tight onto the pinchweld after they are taken off.

I hate it when people put snaps on a car to holt the boot on. Just a personal opinion, but it looks very bush league.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Any tips for tightening up a loose one?

------------------
...Dennis
"The '69, the '96 & the club"

 

[my69gofast]

Bush league? Unless you're trying to keep your car all original, what's wrong with a solution that works?

I bought my 69 vert 11 years ago with snaps already installed...boot is on or off in less than 30 secs. Engine, trans, brakes, wheels, suspension, HEI distibutor, 10si alternator...Just about everything else is different than original (6 cyl, PG, drums, etc.). I just don't get why snaps are to be looked down upon when there is post after post talking about frustration with the original boot/clip arrangement.

 

[HOTRODSRJ]

I took a unique approach and made a boot from this new fangled fake leather material that you can't tell the difference from the real thing. It is soft and pliable, yet hungs every corner and stays put. Not to mention it looks great. It is the number one question that I get from other conv owners....where did you get that boot?

I sent my old one to a friend...and he made a new one for me. Also, the lookalike leather matches my all leather interior.



------------------
STEVE JACK
ConceptOne Pulleys and Brackets

 

[Mark C]

There's nothing wrong with using snaps if your goal is to have a tight boot and drive around with the top down all the time. I just don't like the appearance (and it is your car so what I like is immaterial) of the snaps in the trim when the top is up.

Where did you get your boot? Mine is a 17 year old Repro and I've never had a problem with clips coming loose, or the boot not being held on tightly (except across the top of the seat back). I've even got one busted clip on the side, and even that area of the boot doesn't move around at all, and it takes about the same amount of time (30 to 45 seconds on, less to get off) to put on and off.

The only problem I've ever had with the boot is that the thin foam they used to pad the top has degraded and is now completely gone. One of this winters projects is to replace that with new foam.


------------------
Mark Canning
1969 Indy Pace Car
350/300HP RPO Z11
My 69 L48 - 350/300HP Engine

 

[DjD]

The clips are not that bad as fasteners go but the boots don't lay down the way they should around the body. My repop boot fits fine but the plastic and extra thickness that runs the edge to support the clips seems to be the big problem keeping the thing from laying flat.

Steve - any chance of seeing a close up of how your boot fits and how it is constructed around the clips?

------------------
...Dennis
"The '69, the '96 & the club"

 

[Mark C]

Are these the gaps your talking about?

Anyone have pictures of an original boot installed on their car to compare?


------------------
Mark Canning
1969 Indy Pace Car
350/300HP RPO Z11
My 69 L48 - 350/300HP Engine

 

[jrager]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mark C:
Are these the gaps your talking about?

[
Anyone have pictures of an original boot installed on their car to compare?


<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Actually Mark C the gaps in your photo are not as bad as the gaps I have seen. I was referring to the boot clips not holding to the molding at all in one or two areas. Yours does not look to bad at all.

The best top boot fit I have ever seen was on a late 60's Chrysler convertible at a car show. They use a stock plastic insert that runs the whole way around the molding. The boot looks perfect.
It was as if we pulled the clips off of ours and pushed the plastic strip underneath the molding. I wish I had a better look at it.

 

[RickD]

I wish someone with the skills would make a fiberglass cover like the newer models have.

------------------
Rick Dorion
69 RS Conv,355,M20,4.10's and I don't worry about stone chips.

 

[jrager]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RickD:
I wish someone with the skills would make a fiberglass cover like the newer models have.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

RickD, I am great with fiberglass. Maybe I should look at the new Camaro's and see what I can come up with.
What year were you referring to?

Personally I like the original cover except for the gaps. If I could convert it to the plastic insert like that car I saw, I would do it in a hart beat.

 

[RickB1B]

Ditto what Mark said. Someone took my molding off 10 years ago and I still can't get it back on. They used screws to hold it on. I have tried every trick I can think of to get the thing on using the original connectors and new trim.