My Bare Bones 71 Cuda Convert Build

[Haddixj]

Looks good! where di you get the supplies for the seat? I know the covers are from Legandary. I am saving this in a file for seat how to. Thank you for posting.

[CudamanTom]

Looks good! where di you get the supplies for the seat? I know the covers are from Legandary. I am saving this in a file for seat how to. Thank you for posting.

Thank you,
I purchased the supplies locally from an Upholstery Business about 4 miles away from me (lucked out on the close location).

And if it will help, there are more pics in my photobucket you may check out of the seat stuff if you want. I didn't provide every picture of small little details. The link is below.

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s245.photobucket.com/user/frightnight_photos/embed/slideshow/Toms%2071%20Cuda%20Convertible"></iframe>

Tom

[ToxicWolf]

Great pictures in there Tom. 

[CudamanTom]

Thanks Jim, 

Work on her has slowed down as other life issues seem to get in the way (nothing serious).
Hopefully will get some more done soon, like installing the new convertible top. 

[twalker]

Looks awesome, well done

[TB3NVCUDA]

Great job so far, your interior turned out really good!

[Finoke]

Hey Tom, the car is looking good! I just read through this whole post and realized that I almost bought this car when it was for sale out of California. I only passed because I didn't want to spring for the shipping of a roller from coast to coast.

Seeing it now has me thinking that I should have bought it 

Very nice progress 

[CudamanTom]

Thank you twalker and TB3NVCUDA. 

Hey Tom, the car is looking good! I just read through this whole post and realized that I almost bought this car when it was for sale out of California. I only passed because I didn't want to spring for the shipping of a roller from coast to coast.

Seeing it now has me thinking that I should have bought it 

Very nice progress 

And Tom, thank you for not buying it. 
I think one thing that had potential buyers a little worried was the title was not transferred in the sellers name at the time of selling it, but was cleared up prior to the funds being sent. 
And thank you for the comment.

Tom

[CudamanTom]

Well it's been a long hot summer. 
I hate the heat, especially in the shop where it heats up 20 degrees hotter. It gets hot in Oklahoma City. 
Which explains not doing much with my cuda the last few months.
But I have to admit, we have had a fairly mild summer compared to record breakers the past few years.
Alright, enough of that.

So a week ago (August 23rd) we had a cool mild adnormal weather pattern. A nice time to see about installing that new convertible top. 
I didn't want to spend $1000 or more for someone else to do it and pray that it turned out right, so I decided to give it a go. My first install of a convertible top.

A problem I had was the cuda came without a pre-existing top so I had no reference to go off of for placement of the top panels. I figured this would have driven up the cost of someone else to do it as well. As the days go, I find out having an old top to refer to would have saved a bunch of time. 

Luckily there was ShelbyDogg (Rob)... 
First off, a HUGE thanks for ShelbyDogg's (Rob) for his thread when he installed his top on his chally. That was very very helpful. Also, I contacted him a few times on some questions he was able to help me with.
THANK YOU Rob!!! 

So I start out with the tach strips that support the window panel and top to the rear of the interior compartment.







They needed some TLC. So I did just that.



Then I installed the pad strips on each side. I had to trim the foam inserts first.



I doubled over the front to help handle the tension.



I also cleaned the rear bow. Removed the staples and cleaned it up a bit. I felt like the existing tack strip was good enough to use so I kept it in place.




Then stapled down the vinyl sleeves.





Then slid in the foam.




Stapled the rear bow. All done there.




That was good enough for one day. The next day I start on the rear window install.

[twalker]

Cool, keep the progress pics coming! ;-)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[roadman5312]

            Lookin great Tom.      When your done I need ya to come down here and do this A body I got. 

                                                                                       

[CudamanTom]

So the next few days, we still had cooler than average temps. 

Time for some more work in the shop.

I started on the rear window. It had small pre-existing holes for the mounting of the center tack strip. So I install the bolts and put in a few staples to see how it looked.






Then stapled the top to check fitment.



Once I was satisfied with the fitment of the rear window, I started on the top panel. Since the top sail panels attach to the center tack strip AND the corner pieces, I held off on final staples for the rear window till all was good.




I clamped down the side window flaps to simulate the correct position. Didn't want to glue it in just yet as I figured alot of install and remove of the top panel will be done.



The I marked the position of the top sail panels and the rear window to give me a reference of where to go when adjustments are needed. I used a pencil for this.




I used a wood block to prop up the top to give some slack while installing the rear portion of the top. That was a huge help during the install.



Once I felt good about the placement of the rear window, I secured the rear window to the rear bow and center tack strip.




I used a 2x4 to help support the tack strip. This was very help when trying to staple the top sail panels and rear window to the center tack strip then the side tack strip because I could position the tack strip to simulate how it might be if installed. Hope that didn't sound confusing.





I don't know how many times I bolted in to check fitment and then remove to make adjustments but it was a bunch. Because of creases or folds like this. You talk about a PITA because you have to bolt it in tight to check the fitment. I spent many hours doing just this.




After messing with it most of the day, I was done and ready for (earned) a few beers and relax. 

[CudamanTom]

The next day or so, I was ready to tackle her again. 

I'm ready to get this part done and behind me.

I clamped the upper part of the rear window flaps to make sure I had the correct fit for the rear section all around. You have to make sure it fits right in every way before finally securing the top. By not doing this, you risk having incorrect tension in the side sail panels.



Once I made adjustments here and there, removing and bolting in the rear window and sail panels, in and out, in and out. finally... I got what I wanted. 
Because this was the hardest part of the whole install, I was super happy. 





And yes, I did run thru some staples. Temp install the panels with a few staples, remove staples, make adjustments, restaple. Over and over again. 




Now it's time to pull her outside to relax and smooth out some of the imperfections. Kinda help to mold it in place.







Then attach the rear bow trim.




This is when I noticed, I have a couple staples holes showing on each side. 
When messing with the fitment earlier, I thought putting a couple staples on the corners of the rear bow that I would get a better placement. I was wrong. 
Well isn't to noticeable from a few feet but I know it's there. Well I chalk it up as lesson learned. If it bugs me that much, I'll replace it (now that I know what I'm doing AND I have a reference of a pre-installed top to go off of. But for now, I'll live with it.

So I finished the trim with the two chrome tips and let the cuda sun bath for the rest of the day.




Then comes today.
After sitting out yesterday, I noticed a little uneven areas in the front where I folded over the pads. So I trimmed a little and folded it under instead of over. I think it will look smoother.






Then I also installed the two side cable into the sleeves on each side of the top to provide tension.





So now she sits out today sun bathing as I have other things to do.
Next weekend I will try to finish up the install. Glue the front and rear window panels once I'm overall happy with everything.

So till then, I hope you enjoy and hopefully this will help someone out in the future like ShelbyDogg's thread has for me.

Cheers. 

[CudamanTom]

And thank you twalker and Mark for your earlier comments. 

[roadman5312]

I have always wondered how they did this as the cars came down the assembly line.    Nice work Tom, and as my upholstery guy says, " let er sit in the sun, she'll be perfect "     And it's true.