Wagon Headliner Bow Trim

[EJL]

EJL, once you determine that the fit and function is good, drop me a message as I would be interested in them as well. Thanks for your efforts.

69bfan, I will post some pics once I get everything installed.

 

[EJL]

Well I got two bows in. The plastic trim is flexible enough to work with and engage on metal bows in corners. What I'm not sure about yet is their retention strength over time. I can feel and hear the plastic snap over the metal bow in areas, but I'm wondering if the hook feature of the plastic is tight enough as is.

I think I'll let these sections sit a few days before installing the rest of them. I want to see if the weight of the hardboard panels will push the trim out of position. If they do, I'll probably have the vendor tighten the gap of the hook features to create more of an interference fit.

 

[69bfan]

Thanks for the pictures. It looks good at this time, but as you said, the tighter the better. I doubt that really cold weather would impact the strength too much, but I wonder the impact of the strength on really hot days when the nylon may become more apt to flex?

 

[EJL]

I noticed after a few days the tight corner areas of the plastic trim separated from the metal bows. This confirmed my suspicions that the hook gap was a little loose so I contacted the vendor and asked they make an adjustment to the tooling to tighten it up. They said they would and send me new samples. I figure it'll be a few weeks before I see new parts. Stay tuned for an update.

 

[69bfan]

Thanks for the update, hopefully it can be resolved to make the product work well.

 

[crispy]

I’m still interested in these bows. My old plastic bows are due for replacement. I’m glad you’re working on these and your attention to detail.

 

[Evan Frucht]

I have a 1964 Plymouth wagon that needs a headliner, I have my old plastic bows but there are cracked up beyond repair. does anyone know if these would work for an earlier b body station wagon like my 64?

 

[EJL]

does anyone know if these would work for an earlier b body station wagon like my 64?

Evan, I'm not sure, but I could send you a short piece of the new trim to compare against your original trim. If interested, send me a PM with your mailing address and I'll send it out.

 

[EJL]

Just wanted to provide an update. I finally received my latest parts. Took several weeks to get the second batch of samples to test fit after making a change to the tooling to tighten the gap of the trim for better retention to the metal bows. Once I reviewed those and was happy with the interference fit, I approved them to make the latest batch of parts that I received last week. I put in a few pieces late last week and waiting to see how the work.

I liked to hear them "snapping" over the metal bows this time, but long term retention is yet to be confirmed. I believe installing these new trim pieces in a warm environment is key to matching and holding the corner contours.

I have enough trim for 3-4 cars (assuming 5 trim pieces needed per car), so if anyone is still interested in trying these just let me know.

I'll also have shorter pieces I can send out for folks to look at prior to asking for an entire set.

 

[YY1]

Still interested.

 

[pushrod]

I'm interested..

 

[EJL]

Still interested

I'm interested..

Thanks. I need to go to staples and see if they have a good shipping tube I can use for these to protect them. I’ll contact you both once I have that figured out.

 

[YY1]

If you can't find a tube, you can make a triangular prism.

Those work great if the cardboard is thick enough.

 

[YY1]

Just wanted to say I received my production samples and they are very nice.

They snap on firmly but feel very pliable.

They are plenty long enough to trim to length.

The rearmost one is alittle longer than the rest and intersects the window at a slight angle.
(second pic) so the excess length is a big plus on that one.
On my car, the rearmost trim is wider than the others.
These reproductions, however fit just fine in that spot and you can not tell there was a difference once installed. (third pic)

Note also, how you can see the somewhat oddly shaped surface, like the originals.

The lighting is not the best where my wagon is, so these pics are not good quality.

Good Job, @EJL

 

[FU64RY]

Just wanted to provide an update. I finally received my latest parts. Took several weeks to get the second batch of samples to test fit after making a change to the tooling to tighten the gap of the trim for better retention to the metal bows. Once I reviewed those and was happy with the interference fit, I approved them to make the latest batch of parts that I received last week. I put in a few pieces late last week and waiting to see how the work.

I liked to hear them "snapping" over the metal bows this time, but long term retention is yet to be confirmed. I believe installing these new trim pieces in a warm environment is key to matching and holding the corner contours.

I have enough trim for 3-4 cars (assuming 5 trim pieces needed per car), so if anyone is still interested in trying these just let me know.

I'll also have shorter pieces I can send out for folks to look at prior to asking for an entire set.

I'm interested also, need to double check mine.

 

[Jackpot50]

Just wanted to provide an update. I finally received my latest parts. Took several weeks to get the second batch of samples to test fit after making a change to the tooling to tighten the gap of the trim for better retention to the metal bows. Once I reviewed those and was happy with the interference fit, I approved them to make the latest batch of parts that I received last week. I put in a few pieces late last week and waiting to see how the work.

I liked to hear them "snapping" over the metal bows this time, but long term retention is yet to be confirmed. I believe installing these new trim pieces in a warm environment is key to matching and holding the corner contours.

I have enough trim for 3-4 cars (assuming 5 trim pieces needed per car), so if anyone is still interested in trying these just let me know.

I'll also have shorter pieces I can send out for folks to look at prior to asking for an entire set.

I have a 62 and would be interested to try a sample, if they work Id take a set. what are the lengths or do you order to size?

 

[EJL]

Good Job, @EJL

Thanks YYI. I'm glad you are happy with the trim.

I have a 62 and would be interested to try a sample, if they work Id take a set. what are the lengths or do you order to size?

Jackpot50, I have some short pieces (about 6" in length) available. I can send you one to look at and snap into place to test fit if you PM me your address.

 

[FU64RY]

Mine are good to very good so not at this time.
Thank You

 

[khryslerkid]

Just wanted to provide an update. I finally received my latest parts. Took several weeks to get the second batch of samples to test fit after making a change to the tooling to tighten the gap of the trim for better retention to the metal bows. Once I reviewed those and was happy with the interference fit, I approved them to make the latest batch of parts that I received last week. I put in a few pieces late last week and waiting to see how the work.

I liked to hear them "snapping" over the metal bows this time, but long term retention is yet to be confirmed. I believe installing these new trim pieces in a warm environment is key to matching and holding the corner contours.

I have enough trim for 3-4 cars (assuming 5 trim pieces needed per car), so if anyone is still interested in trying these just let me know.

I'll also have shorter pieces I can send out for folks to look at prior to asking for an entire set.

Kudos to you for your efforts. There's definitely a demand for these.

Now that you got the design down I'm wondering about these working on the earlier roof strips. (We'll have to wait for the replies.)

If they do work and I'm thinking they are the same, next question is could they change the plastic material to a clear. The simulated chrome ones are clear with a chrome finish on the back side. Plastic chrome applied or maybe even plastic chrome paint could be used.

Here's some pics of the ones used on my '62...

 

[matthon]

If they fit a 62 hardtop, I'll take some, white or not.
The ones I have are brittle, and at least one has a broken end.