1973 Convertible Project: Continue Rust Treatment

Hemikiller · Sep 11, 2024

Steve McMahan said:
I’ve been trying to figure out what door panels my car originally came with.

72 & 73 verts all received an upgraded interior with the "deluxe" molded door panels, knitted vinyl buckets, deluxe color keyed seatbelts and the camera case dash panel trims with the chrome border. Some very late units received solid vinyl seats due to a supply issue with comfortweave. Something to note is that the center stack on a convertible was always camera case. The woodgrain version was only used in the Grande' and Mach 1 Sports interior cars.

Steve McMahan · Sep 11, 2024

Thanks, I guess that means I’ll need to replace the door panels with the deluxe ones. One other question I had, are new quarter trim interior panels sold with the hole for the manual window crank or sold blank? I have electric windows, so I’ll need to modify (?) those panels for the electric switch? Thanks again for the help.

Sheriff41 · Sep 12, 2024

Steve McMahan said:
Thanks, I guess that means I’ll need to replace the door panels with the deluxe ones. One other question I had, are new quarter trim interior panels sold with the hole for the manual window crank or sold blank? I have electric windows, so I’ll need to modify (?) those panels for the electric switch? Thanks again for the help.

Check the reviews on those interior panels. All I've read has been they do not fit well and are not made well. It might be well worth your time to try and find some nice original ones and dye them to match your interior.

Steve McMahan · Sep 12, 2024

Yea, I saw that. It would be great to find door and rear panels as a set that were setup with power windows. Maybe a long shot

Steve McMahan · Sep 12, 2024

Second tilt steering question: can I use the rather plain turn signal lever in place of the tilt lever? I haven’t found one yet and wondered if that was because the stock lever would do the job.

JPWally · Sep 12, 2024

The matching pair of brackets in your second photo are brackets needed to support the upper urethane surface on the 1973 front bumper. They bolt to the top of the main cross brace within the bumper assy. Note arrows below.

Steve McMahan · Sep 12, 2024

Thanks @JPWally, never would have guessed. The front bumper is off in pieces; it’s missing the bolts, but the surface of this 50 year old part looks great.

Hemikiller · Sep 12, 2024

The manual door and quarter trim panels can be modified for the window switches. The factory parts had a cutout pattern on the back side molded/stamped into them. @Motorcity Mustang might have some quarter trims.

Thanks @JPWally , I learned something new today!

Steve McMahan · Sep 12, 2024

I’ll be back in Az next Monday so I’ll be able to inventory the front bumper. I’ll need to pull those unknown until now parts out of the “take them to the local salvage yard” pile. Thanks to both of you for the help.

rackerm · Sep 12, 2024

Steve McMahan said:
I’ve finished going through the loose parts that came with my basket case car, and I have parts I cannot figure out. If you know, appreciate the help. I believe the first part is a timing pointer, but I have no engine that goes with it:

View attachment 92937

This next part looks structural, thicker than just a 21ish gauge metal part. Here are two views of it:

View attachment 92938 View attachment 92939

This final part is two pieces that look like they would go somewhere on the front fenders. The hole pattern fits the middle fender attachment bolts, but I’ve got no idea if that’s even close:

View attachment 92940

One thing I have discovered is there are lots of missing parts. But, my plan is to use the parts on my current project coupe to resolve that. That won’t help where the convertible parts are needed, but so far there, I know I need everything from the pump to the cylinders. I have to decide if I’ll start from scratch on the interior, or use the coupe parts, but I’m leaning all new, since it’s missing most of that too (not the seats).

Thank you again, Steve.

Is you car a 1973 model year? If so then these two parts are correct for your car. They bolt to the 73 one year only rubber front bumper frame to support the top part of the bumper.

Steve McMahan · Sep 12, 2024

Thanks @rackerm

CJ miller · Sep 13, 2024

Steve McMahan said:
I’ve been trying to figure out what door panels my car originally came with. I’ve got the Marti report, but it isn’t clear to me. I’ve also spent quite a bit of time searching the web for Conv interior pics, since I only have the seats and no other interior parts. Maybe it’s my poor search skills, but I cannot find an Conv interior with electric windows that doesn’t have the deluxe door panels. I kinda like the standard door panels, but can’t seem to find any evidence they exist on 73 Conv with electric window.

View attachment 92966

From the sites I visited and talking to local car guys, the convertible came with the molded door panels.Haven't ever seen standard in any 73. All seats where high backs as far as I can tell, I dont know how many came with power windows. are you sure this was even an option in these cars? Looking forward to pics of your travels.

Steve McMahan · Sep 13, 2024

Yep, it says so on my Marti report and the car is fully equipped with motors, switches, and wiring. I haven’t checked if any of it works.

Steve McMahan · Sep 19, 2024

Here’s a weird question. Does anyone recognize this part attached to the passenger fender apron.

It’s that silver rectangular bracket mounted under where the vapor canister would be. Any idea what it is? I don’t recognize it, but that’s not saying much.

Sheriff41 · Sep 19, 2024

Looks like the mounting bracket off one of the old peanut can vacuum canisters.

EDIT: https://www.npdlink.com/product/vacuum-canister-ac/103383/203284?year=1972

Steve McMahan · Sep 19, 2024

Thanks @Sheriff41, I suspect you’re correct. I did get that can in one of the boxes, and it had holes in it, slightly crushed, so I tossed it.

Steve McMahan · Sep 20, 2024

I have a question for the Vert owners. My basket case did not come with the Crossover Reinforcement Plate. At $75 (NPD), it’s kinda pricey for what looks like just a steel tie-in plate. Has anyone made their own and are willing to share info regarding it? TY.

Sheriff41 · Sep 21, 2024

Steve McMahan said:
I have a question for the Vert owners. My basket case did not come with the Crossover Reinforcement Plate. At $75 (NPD), it’s kinda pricey for what looks like just a steel tie-in plate. Has anyone made their own and are willing to share info regarding it? TY.

You can make one, but unless you have some scrap laying around it may be about the same cost. The factory piece has a beveled leading edge but it's not necessary.

Steve McMahan · Sep 21, 2024

Thanks @Sheriff41. It doesn’t look to difficult to make one, but it would be easier if I had one to model it after. I guess I could make a nice template, I have some scrap metal that would likely fit the bill. Any idea of the metal gauge?

Sheriff41 · Sep 22, 2024

It's probably 3/16". It's fairly thick steel. I'd look at the one on my car but I'm out of the country currently. If you haven't found out by next weekend I will get you the measurements then.

1973 Convertible Project: Continue Rust Treatment

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