On both my 64 and 69 convertibles I have bought new boots for the top. I dont know what the original 64 looked like but the one I have for the 69 (old boot) attaches with snaps all the way around the boot. On the new boots they just have a white plastic band (?) that goes around the outer edge on the inside of the boot. How do these new boot covers (from OPGI) attach to the chrome strip that goes around the back of the convertable top at the body. Any help would be great because OPGI was no help at all in answering this question! Thanks Dave:)

I belive that the '69 is the same as my '70....the white plastic is called a Tuck strip....it tucks UNDER the crome that goes around the top well.there should be a plastic strip on the front that slide between two metal guides behind the back seat and then you pull the cover back toward the rear and tuck the strip under the crome mouldings.
Steve

two metal guides behind the back seat

Pretty close, Steve..... it's really a U-shaped channel that screws to the metal divider panel behind the rear seat back. All the other info you mentioned is right on the money :thumbsup:

Bill:
I wasn't sure what it was called but channel sounds more descriptive.FYI,On my '70 I've got two plates that form a "U" channel.
I'll know next time.This is why I love this site,the Infomation given is screened thru alot of smart guys so the BS has been removed!!!
Thanks
Steve

Thats what I was kind of figuring. It seems like a tight fit though. The chrome strip on the 64 fits tightly against the rear deck area. Seems that you would be scratching the paint by pushing it in and removing it alot. Would it be low class or in bad taste to put snaps on the chrome strip. The 69 already has them (unsure if its factory or not).

You have to slide the boot in the u shape channel first then tuck the thin plastic under the stainless trim, then fold the boot down over the stainless trim.

Great topic! :thumbsup:
I'm just in the process of ordering a boot for the '72 and didn't really know how it will attach. Sounds like the same method.
Thanks guys!

Hey Guys,
Forgive me but the "light bulb" hasn't come on yet. I understand that the front of the boot attaches to the back of the the seat and rests down in the well liner when not in use. The part im having a hard time picturing is how the tuck strip slides under the chrome strip. Does it go from the back to front in between the paint and the chrome strip or from a different direction. This is the part that I think would rub the paint and scratch it. Theres seems to be something Im missing here.

Great topic! :thumbsup:
I'm just in the process of ordering a boot for the '72 and didn't really know how it will attach. Sounds like the same method.
Thanks guys!
Come-on Bill you know the method Beer first convertible boot second:beers::D

Maybe that's how the person felt and why they put snaps on the pinch weld molding on mine.
I got new molding and a new boot I'll try IF I ever get my 70 back together.

Ya the 69 has snaps on the pinch weld molding also. It seems to work effectively and the snaps are hidden when the boot is on. The only draw back is when the top is up you see snaps on the pinch weld strip.

Dean, I was looking for new molding, where were you able to find the pinch weld chrome at. OPGI says there still in the process of making it and a few other suppliers said it is not available.
Dave

Snaps on the stainless molding was not done by the factory.
Atleas is what I have been told. Correct me if Iam wrong?

If you have snaps on the stainless you might not be able to push the white plastic under the trim. I would unscrew one of the snaps and see how long it is. If it goes down into the car itself then you probably can't shove the plastic strip under it all the way. I just bought a new boot for our car and it is easier if two people put it on. One to push the front edge through the channel and the other on the other side of the car pulling it across. Then slide the plastic edge under the trim fits nice and tight. Our son has a 68 firebird where the boot has clips on it those are a pain in the butt to clip. I like the strip much better.

I too looked for quite a while for the molding.
I found some advertised in Hemmings, sent the guy the money and never ever got anything and he would never answer or return my calls.
Hemmings said they could do NOTHING about it.

A friend here has several convertibles and had extra. He gave it to me free.

Hey Guys,
Forgive me but the "light bulb" hasn't come on yet....Does it go from the back to front in between the paint and the chrome strip

Yes, exactly. Once you actually do it, it's obvious this is the only way it can go on. Could it scratch the paint? Maybe some surface scratches, something similar to swirl marks that would wax away, but nothing that's going to actually gouge the paint.

Good Deal Guys, Ive been tinkering around with mine and have got it figured out. As for the chrome strip on the 69, the snaps are only on the strip itself. I have it removed at the moment because its currently in the paint shop. It just seems the those guys at Chevrolet could have come up with something better than the way they have the boot attach. However I still LOVE my convertible!! Thanks for your help.

I have tucked the plastic under my trim for 20 years and have never had a scratch. The white plastic is softer than the paint.

I resurrected this topic to ask: "How wide is your plastic strip?"

I was putting mine on yesterday, it has clips, but I wanted to try and just install it under the moulding. The plastic strip was about 1.75 inches wide. It was too wide to fit under the moulding very far, and so it pulled UP rather that lay-down. :(

Do I need to trim this plastic strip (which looks like it made for the clips)?

Pete, I measured my original one and the plastic peice is only 1/2" wide.
And when I got my car I put it on and it fit like a glove and was nice and tight.

Thanks. I'm gonna trim mine down. It amy be a while till I get to it, but that has to be the problem. :thumbsup:

Does anyone know where to get the snaps that attach the boot to the interior panels. It takes 4 of them and I haven't found them yet.

Ed

Any upholstery shop will have them.

Does anyone know where to get the snaps that attach the boot to the interior panels. It takes 4 of them and I haven't found them yet.

Ed
I can get some with the fluted bottom just like the originals.

My boot has never scratched the paint and it has been on/off for 20 years with me. Never put it on a dirty car, that may scratch but it will polish out. I bought a snap kit from Pep Boys or some other local auto parts store when one on my boot came apart.