Canvas cab steel groove retainer

[Argie1978]

Hi all.
When the welded hard top was removed we couldn't save the steel groove that goes across the top of the windshield. This piece retains the cab top.
I will need to fabricate one.



Can somebody provide the approximate with and height of it? I want to avoid any mistake that prevents the installation due to bad retaining.
I already know putting the canvas on the cab can be a struggle, the idea is to make it as painless as possible.



Thanks.

[NAM VET]

silly question, but are you sure none of the vendors or Ebay have a replacement retaining bracket. I found it wasn't difficult at all to install my top, including siding the front top into the retaining groove on my top. hal

[Argie1978]

No silly question, Hal. What is offered online, as far as I've checked, is the retainer (part No. 7005419) that goes at the bottom and holds the chunky weather strip rubber (the one that makes lifting the windshield a hard job when new).

The groove (at leas in in my windshield) was welded, so I don't think this is a piece to purchase.

[Argie1978]

Some update....., I have seen pictures of windshields that have the metal lip screwed. But also others where the piece is welded.
Anyways, as Hal mentioned, perhaps this can be something to procure. I will ask suppliers about it and let's see.

[maxpearcy]

This is off of a NOS window frame that has never been installed.

[maxpearcy]

another pic

[NAM VET]

Just saw the Dodge Charger in the background. Back in 'spring, ;69, I ordered my own first new car, a 69 Dodge Charger R/'T, with the 440 engine, dark green, white stripes, Torqueflilte trans, power steering, and no other options, paid $3275. I immediately swapped the small 14 inch wheels, for larger 15 inch, 7 in wide mags by Appliance Plating, with big Michelin tires for it. Swapped out the heavy iron intake manifolds for a slightly taller Offy intake. Took it to Germany late that week, sucked gas, would not come to a complete stop from 100 mph with the 3 inch Imperial Drum brakes. Only replaced the water pump, and sold it to a SGT in Germany who wrecked it.

One of the three most loved cars I have every owned. hal

[Argie1978]

Oh, this is great. Many thanks, Max.
This helps a LOT!
I've done a few calls here in Europe and nobody sells the part (one person offered an entire windshield,..."no thanks").
So yesterday in the afternoon I asked the guys at the shop to check for the scrap deposit in order to see if the part was still there and check the possibility to cut & save that thin metallic lip. This for sure will give us the idea to mimic it in case is not feasible (I do think we will fabricate it, is was completely welded to the roof).
I will post here the outcome.

Just saw the Dodge Charger in the background. Back in 'spring, ;69, ....[...]...options, paid $3275.

The shop is currently working in that '69 and there's another RT -same year- with just the body and a few assorted parts and pieces from another Argentinian guy that lives in London. Current value of the one posted is like $120.000 USD if I am not wrong. The guy that lives in UK payed JUST for the (rusted) body and pieces $70.000 USD. No engine, no tranny.
There is something incredible about Chargers that makes them today high-end collectible objects. I don't know, blame Toretto....

[just me]

The usual suspects sell a perfect reproduction of the rail. I have one and it works a treat.

[Argie1978]

I'm lost about what is the "usual suspects". Is that a shop that makes custom spare parts?

[just me]

Vintage power wagons and Midwest Military. (The usual suspects)

[greeno]

..and call Midwest, a lot of his stuff isn’t on the web.

[Argie1978]

Never crossed my mind.
Anyways, I 've started checking here in Europe for sourcing, and leave American suppliers just for the hard-to-find material. Logistics and customs have increased costs a lot. For this particular case, we're trying to make a new groove from scratch.
We'll see.

[Rdinatal]

I'm lost about what is the "usual suspects". Is that a shop that makes custom spare parts?

Try here:

Screenshot_20230506-061555_Hancom Office Editor.jpg (176.96 KiB) Viewed 1954 times

[Argie1978]

Hi, thanks for the input. Actually I've written to Matt from VPW about this possibility. No issues till the moment Matt informed me that, what you see there is a tenth of the cost when adding the delivery to Spain.
I was expecting a high logistic cost (70% of parts I am procuring come from US), but not like that. No issues, we'll be making a replica in our own at the shop.