[tdo]

My wifes 69 Camaro boot (original) does not fit well.

I did forward her the info on getting the top to go down farther and we will try that...

But, even then, the snap type boot will never (IMHO) look as good as the boot I had for my 69 Cutlass. It used a smooth flap that went all around the bright trim and looked great.

Has anyone ever tried a boot from a Cutlass (or other vehicle) to see if it would fit?

 

[68RSconvTN]

An original top boot for your 69 does not have "snaps". It has clips that clip onto the stainless trim around the top. If the one you have has normal "snaps", then it has been modified.

 

[tdo]

An original top boot for your 69 does not have "snaps". It has clips that clip onto the stainless trim around the top. If the one you have has normal "snaps", then it has been modified.

Your right, clips. I was reading a search on this topic and someone had a top with snaps and it must have stuck in my head when I was writing my question.

I guess nobody has ever tried.

We have a friend with a 68 Cutlass convertible we see at various shows. Guess we will trade off with him and see. The wifes car is not all original anyway, why keep that crappy top if the Cutlass' will fit.

 

[PROZ11]

I would think a Cutlass cover would be too wide. I could be wrong. I guess you could have it altered though.

.

 

[RSSSfanatic]

I know exactly what you mean, and I agree that the system that the Cutlass' uses is far superior. I used to own a 70 SX 455 convertible (wish I still had it), and the boot on that car was a dream compared to the PITA boot on my Camaros. In addition to the plastic flap that slipped under the trim, it had a bead that slipped into a channel behind the rear seat. All I had to do to lower the top was pull the boot out from under the chrome trim, flip the boot forward into the back seat, raise the top, and then flip the boot into the convertible top well. I have thought about having an upholstery shop modify my Camaro boot to work the same way, or just make a whole new boot from scratch to those spec's. Maybe the way to go would be to modify a Cutlass boot.

Let us know how it works out for you! :thumbsup:

 

[DjD]

I've been looking into this too, I think the '68 Chevelle is the same way with the plastic stiffner sliding under the trim instead of having clips mounted in it. What I found is the trim must be installed different, there are slots cut into the plastic stiffner that match with the mounting hardware. The slots are not wide enough to accomidate the mounting clips used to hold the 1st gen trim in place.

That's just something else to contend with along with overall size of the boot from the bigger cars. The other thing is that the plastic slides on the paint surface and if your boot is installed and removed a lot your paint might suffer around the well molding. It sure does look 100% better though!

 

[RSSSfanatic]

The other thing is that the plastic slides on the paint surface and if your boot is installed and removed a lot your paint might suffer around the well molding. It sure does look 100% better though!

I have just as much if not more problems with scratches from the clips, especially when the metal ends start popping out from behind the plastic backing where they attach to the boot. I'll take the plastic stiffener any day.

 

[DjD]

I have just as much if not more problems with scratches from the clips, especially when the metal ends start popping out from behind the plastic backing where they attach to the boot. I'll take the plastic stiffener any day.

Those are problems I haven't encountered in the 9 years I've been using my boot... 3rd gen ragtops come with a protective clear plastic strip on the paint where the top sits when up. The same could be done with either the plastic sliding under the molding or the clips...

 

[JimM]

The boot I had on my 67 vert (I had it in the early-mid 80's, I bought the boot from J.C.Whitney) had the plastic strip like you guys described for the midsized cars.
Agree, it was a much better system, I've never even owned a boot for this car, other than the 3 repros I bought and sent back.

 

[SSMUNDY]

My boot does not have the clips. It has the plastic strip that slips under the pinch weld molding. It only takes about 2-3 minutes to put on and take off. It came with the car when I bought it. I beleive it was made by Distinctive Industries.
Sean

 

[tdo]

Thanks much for the input guys. I will post when I know more.

I wonder if a 67 boot will fit a 69?

 

[RSSSfanatic]

Thanks much for the input guys. I will post when I know more.

I wonder if a 67 boot will fit a 69?

Yes - the boots are the same for all 3 years.