65burgvert

I restored a 65 Mustang Convertible. Took a lot of years.
Anyway my question is this.
Do any of you know of anything about these? or where I might find out more information?
I have a prototype removable hard top that was made during the early stages of the mustang designs. I have done research and found out it's, according to Donald Farr, "a rare piece of mustang history"
Being new to the site I'll attach some photos when I get permission.
I'm looking forward to showing you my car and the hard top.

burgvert

andrewmp6

I seen retractable hard tops that was a kit years ago,Only removable roof i seen was all custom made.

GT350R Klone

There were a few aftermarket sources. If yours has an actual Ford part number on it, it would certainly be a rare piece.

65burgvert

No part number but it does have a fomoco sun-x tinted window

GT350R Klone

Yea, 99% sure an aftermarket part, using a ford window. Still a nice piece to own, especially if you can confirm the build date in the 60's

65burgvert

It's not an after market item and they were never offered as an aftermarket item.
These tops never made it passed the first prototype stage.
From the info I gathered, what happened is Ford, in particular Iacocca, wanted something similar to the T-Bird's and Corvettes removable tops, so Ford cut the roof off of a coupe and made a fiberglass mold out of it. (legend has it that they commissioned the company that made fiberglass bodies and parts for Vettes) That's why the window is a standard rear window for a 65/66 coupe. It was the original design. Ford then had a redesign that more emulated the T-Bird and Corvette removable tops. The 2nd version had a tiny oval window on the side and the rear window was also smaller. I believe they are called the "Landau" tops. Legend also has it that 100 of my tops were made but there are only three left and the gentleman I spoke to about this said mine is the only one left with it's original window.
Here is a picture of it with the car when I first brought it home.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14105596/bur...%20HardTop.jpg

burgvert

noroof66

Does the blue top look good when on the car?

andrewmp6

Find a FoMoCo and number on it if its ford it should be marked even as a prototype.

GT350R Klone

I was going to say the same. Ford parts have Ford part numbers on them. Again, very nice period piece, but it would take considerable documentation to convince anyone in the mustang community that it is an original Ford prototype that did not get a part number assigned.