Convertible tops , Boots and well liners

[polara71]

I ordered a legendary boot, its black so I figured they couldn't F that up. I also think legendary has the market cornered on boots with clips.
Electron top ...
Kee Auto top
ARO
Robbins
Legendary and Hydro-Electric are not manufacturers . I did talk with them and Legendary is supplied by Electron and Hydro Electric is supplied by Kee.
The ARO guy said they all get their material from the same supplier so the color and grain will not vary.

 

[SpaceWagon]

To my knowledge, the only place you will find the correct clips is Legendary Auto Interiors. When you buy their boot, the clips are already sewn in. But it looks like you might be able to buy them separately as well, at least they show buying separate clips for the B & E bodies, but also must have the correct ones for the C bodies as well. They are $5 each. No point in looking elsewhere, as the exact correct ones are not likely to be found except at Legendary.

If the original factory clips were the same across all of the mopar lines, A-B-E-C body convertible top boots, then actually unless Legendary has made a redesign, there are NO "exact" reproductions available.
Yes Legendary boots have the clips sewn in and Yes they will function.

However, an exact original style clip has an internal metal frame that the plastic is molded over. Every reproduction clip that has been on the market is just plastic and does not have this metal frame.
I am certain this is true for E-bodies (which I am most familiar with), so if its not the case with C-bodies, someone with far greater knowledge can confirm.

 

[polara71]

If the original factory clips were the same across all of the mopar lines, A-B-E-C body convertible top boots, then actually unless Legendary has made a redesign, there are NO "exact" reproductions available.
Yes Legendary boots have the clips sewn in and Yes they will function.

However, an exact original style clip has an internal metal frame that the plastic is molded over. Every reproduction clip that has been on the market is just plastic and does not have this metal frame.
I am certain this is true for E-bodies (which I am most familiar with), so if its not the case with C-bodies, someone with far greater knowledge can confirm.

Agree, I don't believe they are exact but is the best we have. I've had three original boots, attached is a clip from one of them. You say there's metal in there?

 

[bluefury361]

The parts book shows different part numbers for the different body types. The B body clips that legendary offers will directly interchange with C body boots. Its what they install in their reproduction boots.

 

[polara71]

The parts book shows different part numbers for the different body types. The B body clips that legendary offers will directly interchange with C body boots. Its what they install in their reproduction boots.

The perfect example of me not retaining information.

 

[bnz84]

Anybody have pics of a 69+ well liner? Where it attaches, etc? I gotta believe I can make one 3/4ths as nice for 1/4 the $.

 

[Big_John]

Anybody have pics of a 69+ well liner? Where it attaches, etc? I gotta believe I can make one 3/4ths as nice for 1/4 the $.

The FSM has a pretty decent pic showing how it’s glued in.

 

[twostick]

I'm curious which manufacturers you got samples from.

It's funny this thread came back around, I was just looking at my top boot (a Legendary replacement) and thinking it's time for a new one. The vinyl has shrunken back to where it really doesn't fit. I'm thinking about trying to get a local shop to make one that fits better or maybe just order a Legendary replacement, but I don't really know how this Legendary boot fit when it was new.

Doesn't SMS make all the materials these guys use?

Kevin

 

[polara71]

Haartz is the big maker ...

 

[Big_John]

Doesn't SMS make all the materials these guys use?

Kevin

I don't really know. They have to get it somewhere and I've heard that their supplier is SMS but never really found that out for sure. I had figured that they got their tops from Electron and Dave has confirmed that.

 

[polara71]

I don't really know. They have to get it somewhere and I've heard that their supplier is SMS but never really found that out for sure. I had figured that they got their tops from Electron and Dave has confirmed that.

BUT the material comes from Haartz ( apparently). The top manufacturer cuts and stitches as needed

 

[twostick]

Cloth Topping | Haartz Corporation

Kevin

 

[polara71]

Cloth Topping | Haartz Corporation

Kevin

We're not picking it out a dress. No cloth ....!

 

[twostick]

We're not picking it out a dress. No cloth ....!

Is that not technically what a convertible top is?

Kevin

 

[polara71]

Is that not technically what a convertible top is?

Kevin

Um, no!

 

[twostick]

Um, no!

Most rag tops I've seen have a woven fabric/canvas look to them, some finer woven than others.

Kevin

 

[polara71]

Some yes, the correct material for our cars ? No.

 

[SpaceWagon]

For reference / comparison, here is an original top boot clip for an E-body

First picture is the intact clip as it should look

The second picture shows what most look like after years of use - the end broken off exposing the metalframe referred to in my other post

 

[Big_John]

Clips from the Legendary boot on my '70 300. I was told the original boot from my car was Legendary's pattern. I wish I had the original, but it was long gone when I got it.

 

[ayilar]

OK folks, question -- Snow White, my 1970 Polara 'vert, needs a new top boot. Legendary sells a black one for $387, including the sewn-in clips. They have a sale right now, so I was thinking of picking up a new top (black crush grain), glass rear window curtain (black crush grain), and well liner (black coachman grain) from them all at the same time in order to get approximately 15% off the $1,150 total.

Any comments/suggestions (especially vs. buying directly from Electron or SMS)? Original or super-close to original is what I want.

@Big_John -- did you by any chance order a new Legendary boot for your 300? @polara71 -- have you received your Legendary boot?

PS: on p.71 of the Kee catalog, I read that "35 snaps and studs are not installed, and that the original clips are not available." That may be true for them, but I have found the correct clips elsewhere online.