carriage roof

[Mentok]

Hello,n00b here. I just bought an 81 Ghia notch. The car is very solid and has the 3.3 auto. 27,935 original miles. The problem is it has that HIDEOUS white carriage roof. Has anyone ever removed one of these? Is there any difference underneath from a normal notch? I know I'll have to fill some holes and locate some sail panels. How much of a PITA is this going to be, lol. All I know is the roof HAS to go.

[mustangxtreme]

Welcome to FEP. I've only removed a vinyl top from an LTD, but it shouldn't be too hard but, it's been so long ago I can't remember how I did it.

I would assume the roof skin itself is the same. By the way pictures are very much appreciated on this site.

[NAVYCAT]

those are rare today, i know you can dye them a different color

[negusm]

Yeah, very rare. You should keep it and restore it. If not, make sure you hang onto the parts.

[Jax Rhapsody]

It should be the same, I've seen a number of cars with the landau top removed or hanging. NOrmally they can be unpainted under it. If there was ever a difference besides holes for the trim would be like in the case of a limo or hearse; having no roof skin under it.

[Mentok]

The rear trim for the roof is screwed on, so those holes will need to be filled. As far as I can tell it seems like there is a hard plastic underneath the cloth also. My biggest concern is the a-pillars. It has those fat moldings like a vert. They look the same as my brothers 86gt has. Anyone know how these are attached? Will I need to get windshield trim/moulding from a hardtop?

I'm going to hang onto all the stuff, I just can't stand the look of the roof. I really wish it was the vinyl roof instead of the carriage. I'm really not interested in restoring it. It's just not my style. It's Chamois [beige] with a white carriage roof, and caramel leather. The interior is all original and nice aside from the cracked dashpad, so that I will leave alone.

My current plan is to get it road worthy in it's stock form [aside from putting on 10 holes] ,and drive it for the summer. Eventually the roof is coming off and it's getting a color change and a V8. I'd also like to put an 82 GT style hood scoop on it.

Love the site btw, it's a great wealth of info, and has given me many ideas about what I want to do with the car. I had only seen a handful of pre-83 four eyes before going through the pics here. I'll have pics of it up soon. It's in my brothers garage right now next to his 86gt vert. He goes by Chris81579 on here.

[85GTTops]

I agree with Mike. Time for a restoration.I haven't seen a carriage roof in a long looong time.

[Mentok]

I guess the carriage roof is rare, but who in the world wants one?????? If I'm going to put in the effort I'm going to make something I like. It's a catch 22 cause it's soo original and documented it's a perfect resto candidate. The stock form just isn't my cup of tea. Though I have considered going sleeper with it.

It's the cleanest and most solid 79-82 notch I came across so it's my slate. Any vert enthusiasts ever removed those a-pillar covers? I don't want to tear this up without knowing what I'm getting into.

[twistedstang]

exactly- you dont see them because theyre nasty looking. Im with you - take it off and dont look back.

[jovibuilt]

pictures?

[negusm]

I guess the carriage roof is rare, but who in the world wants one??????

If it was oem on my car, I would keep it.

-Mike

[mercaprirs]

Please post some pictures I have never seen one before. Except for an old advertisement. Post some pics could be a cool sleeper! Build a stout motor and suspension put a scoop on it. Thats prob what I would do with it just because most havent seen one or seen one in a long time.

[jbishop]

I would love to have a vinyl top.

[stableboy]

Your taste is your taste, personally I would leave it on unless it was all tattered and crappy looking. Your car will be unique and all those holes are just areas waiting to bubble up if you expose them.
If you are set on taking it off, maybe do some other members a favor and take lots o pics so people can reverse engineer it when putting one on later.

[Jax Rhapsody]

Please post some pictures I have never seen one before. Except for an old advertisement. Post some pics could be a cool sleeper! Build a stout motor and suspension put a scoop on it. Thats prob what I would do with it just because most havent seen one or seen one in a long time.

IF it's what I'm thinking it is, there are some one here. If it's a Landau top aka Opra top, it's just the rear half of the roof thats covered like some GM G-bodies and some Mopar K-Cars.

[cb84capri]

exactly- you dont see them because theyre nasty looking. Im with you - take it off and dont look back.

yes! i saw a red one with a white top online somewhere. just HIDEOUS! they don't belong on those cars at all.

cale

[negusm]

Yeah, post some pics. Maybe it was a dealer added thing and not Ford.

[Jax Rhapsody]

I know you don't like hearinf keep the rare option top but just don't take our minds. oo weee ooo.

[Mentok]

Yeah, post some pics. Maybe it was a dealer added thing and not Ford.

It's listed on the window sticker as a $643 option. I'll have some pics up by the weekend. The top isn't trashed, could use a good cleaning. From the records I have from the original owner the top was redone in 93 for $600. It's basically a pseudo convertible top. If it was a vinyl top I'd keep it. Those actually looked pretty cool on the 79-82 stangs.

[MeanponyGT]

exactly- you dont see them because theyre nasty looking. Im with you - take it off and dont look back.

i agree. lose it