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Mon Nov 15, 2004 2:33 pm

Ok I got a 1972 Convertible. The guy i bought it from bought every piece need to replace the top, and the place sent him this silly movie on how to do to restoration on the tops. But they did it on a 71 vert. Well i called the guys and they told me the 72 are different. So i need to find some kind of instructions on the top. Since i can not afford to get it done. I need to do it myself. Any help would be a big help.
Thanks Alot

-Cary
71 Wsty Hrdtp
63 Kombi
72 Super Vert
72 Square
71 Super (kinda parts) for sale
71 Bus (parts)
64 Bus (parts) half mine

Mon Nov 15, 2004 3:27 pm

What place? what video?

I don't think there is much difference if any in the way a 71 or 72 is installed.

Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:00 pm

The Movie is from The Guild, Long Beach, CA. The guy told me it is how the headliner is hung, and connected to the body. I guess there is no rear body tack strip but these little tabs.
Let me know.
Thanks
-Cary

Mon Nov 15, 2004 7:46 pm

Let me check some resources... the guild is well known as is Chucks and california specialties... you could make some calls to them.

I can see where they may have eliminated the rear tack strip as they were progressing to the later super verts ( all 71 and later verts were supers)

but the differences should be mininmal at best. I'll ask my local trim guru who helps me with my vert tops.

Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:06 pm

Thank you so much. Any info you can provide me would be the coolest. My number if you want to give me a call is 505-350-0483.
Thanks Again
-Cary
71 Wsty Hrdtp
63 Kombi
72 Super Vert
72 Square

Tue Nov 16, 2004 6:40 am

Give a call to California Pacific - "JBugs". These guys produce, IMHO, the best restoration videos out there. They will certainly know the differences, and probably have step-by-step instructions for your car.

http://www.jbugs.com

Larry

Tue Nov 16, 2004 7:40 am

I just took my '72 vert top apart. There is to rear tack strip just the tensioning cable which is much easier to install. I have never looked at how a '71 is put together but I really don't think instructions for on wouldn't be enough info to do the other.

Tue Nov 16, 2004 7:11 pm

How does it work that the 72 does not have the outer quater window facing wood pieces?

-Cary

Tue Nov 16, 2004 11:43 pm

there are two heavy cloth strips running the entire lenght of the top screwed to each bow along the way. the 3 tensioning wires on all sides keeps it tight.

Wed Nov 17, 2004 9:34 pm

Cool, I now have a pretty good understanding of the top assembly. I started taking mine apart today. And i see how the side tension cables hold on, rear tension cables, and the Headliner. Correct me if i am wrong, but the head liners has a bit of fabric at the bottom were it attaches to the car, and a long piece of metal goes throw there and then the metal goes under these tab things, and then that goes throw the material, then the carpet covers that up, next i need to figure the rear window mounting, and then i am on to doing the top.

Thanks
-Cary

Thu Nov 18, 2004 2:50 am

Be aware there are some 1972-only parts in your soft top so don't throw anything out until you are sure you have finished the job!
The link below shows a photo of a '72 vert with the top down that I took at a show (and yes, there is a screw missing from the plate in the middle of the red circle!)
The seal that I've highlighted in red is a '72 only part and as far as I know is not available as a reproduction anywhere! http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4db24b3127ccebe5af57312780000001610
If anyone does know if this seal is available anywhere please let me know as I would like a pair for my own '72! :)

Thu Nov 18, 2004 12:17 pm

Thank you very much. As far as I can tell everything that is supposed to be there is there. And as for that seal, might just have to fab one. O well.
Thanks for the info.

-Cary

Fri Nov 19, 2004 6:08 pm

Hi guy, i just finished my 71 super vert. The head liner must be installed right or it will not turn out well at all, I know this first hand. The headliner is to be secured at the front sides, rear pivot points and then start the hanging by the cloth wraps. Adjusting the warps up and down to get the best fit, then spray glue on them and rewrap around the rails. I did not secure the rear area by the pivot points and now it has a sag by the rear window that I cannot remove without removing the whole thing. The pivot points I'm talking about are on the frame right above the hinges, they look like an arm sticking down with a 5mm hole at the end. When the liner is in place you will see how you must attach it, do it first before any glue is sprayed and things should go better. I have lots of pics I could send to you for reference. I don't think there is any diff between a 71 and 72 even thought i have seen things listed about outer quarter facings etc.. They must be wraped in material too, it's a big job. took me about 2 weeks, 2-3 hours per night.

Fri Nov 19, 2004 8:55 pm

Thanks for the info. I would love to see the pictures, it would probably do me a whole world of good to have more reference. If you can send them to
Bus63kombi@yahoo.com.

Thanks alot.
-Cary

Sat Nov 20, 2004 5:09 pm

I would like to have the pix also if you don't mine. I have to install the complete top kit on my 71 and could sure use them. If you could send them to me at kermitkuhn@hotmail.com
much thanks to you

Mon Nov 22, 2004 6:47 am

the major diiferences between a 71 and 72 is a 72 has one less bow in the top frame and the headliner attaches below the rear window with a long metal rod then metal bend tabs bend over the rod to hold it in place, the rear quarter pads also have one rod each that slide thru them and attach to the car the same way...the 71 has 3 pieces of wood bolted tothe body that pad and headliner staple to we have a good book on the 71 but have not included the rear of the 72 yet..but will make sure to add it shortly so others won't have this problem.the 71 nhas outer wood qtr facings to staple the top to where the 72 has only the metal frame which you glue the top to. outside convertible top is the same top for 71 and 72 if you need more help we will be glad to walk you thru any difficulties you are having 1804 784 5688 :lol: .chuck/chucks convertible parts

Tue Nov 23, 2004 4:01 pm

Thank you very much. This little bit of info actually helped me much. Those where the couple little questions i had left. I do plan on giving you a call to further clearify my top doings.
Thanks again.
-Cary

Thu Nov 25, 2004 12:43 pm

Nessy wrote: Be aware there are some 1972-only parts in your soft top so don't throw anything out until you are sure you have finished the job!
The link below shows a photo of a '72 vert with the top down that I took at a show (and yes, there is a screw missing from the plate in the middle of the red circle!)
The seal that I've highlighted in red is a '72 only part and as far as I know is not available as a reproduction anywhere! http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4db24b3127ccebe5af57312780000001610
If anyone does know if this seal is available anywhere please let me know as I would like a pair for my own '72! :)

I got the seal circled in the picture from Convertible Specialties in Long Beach, CA:
http://www.convertiblespecialties.com/contact.html

I have a 72 and I replaced the top myself. I also got the canvas top, headliner, pad and all new hand made bows along with the video!. The quality on the top, including the bows was fantastic! The only difference was the metal rod for attaching the headliner. It was my first attempt at installing a top and it came out almost perfect. I actually had two friends bet me cash that it would come out like crap or not at all, but it was relatively easy. It took about 6 hours and whenever I got stuck I just ran inside and checked out the tape. I highly recommend Convertible Specialties and the price was also good, about $900 for EVERYTHING, including a newly rebuilt window frame.

Thu Nov 25, 2004 12:47 pm

Grant235c wrote: Cool, I now have a pretty good understanding of the top assembly. I started taking mine apart today. And i see how the side tension cables hold on, rear tension cables, and the Headliner. Correct me if i am wrong, but the head liners has a bit of fabric at the bottom were it attaches to the car, and a long piece of metal goes throw there and then the metal goes under these tab things, and then that goes throw the material, then the carpet covers that up, next i need to figure the rear window mounting, and then i am on to doing the top.

Thanks
-Cary

For a 72 headliner (so long as you have the correct one), there should be a pocket sewn into the fabric for the rod to slip in. The rod is then attached by slipping under the tabs then go forward. It's easier done than explained almost.

Thu Nov 25, 2004 8:33 pm

:lol: hi nessy we are the company that manufactures the seals you asked about if anyone is selling them they purchased them from us the seals you asked about fit 72 thru 79 bug convertibles we manucture many other hard to find seals for the bug convertibles..chuck/chucks convertible parts