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Zip on a Scissors Top

Started by The Tassie Devil(le), April 07, 2017, 09:23:18 PM

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The Tassie Devil(le)

G'day all,

I have a question that needs answering, if possible.

Has anyone with a '71 to '76 Eldorado Convertible ever undone the Zip at the top of the rear window?

If so, what does it do?

I found the zip on my '72, and tried to undo it to see what happens, but it is very stiff, and I didn't want to strain anything.   Got it unzipped 6", then did it up again.

I know on the earlier cars, one unzipped the rear curtain before lowering the top, but on my '72, the zip is only 2 feet long, and I cannot for the life of me, see how it cab release the glass as it can only be accessed from the outside, and doesn't appear to be able to fully release the glass to lower it.

Plus, as the rear window is spring-loaded, once unzipped, will it immediately shoot backwards, slipping out of the hand, and falling into the top well?

This zip is not mentioned at all in the Owners Manual, nor the Shop Manual

Thanks in anticipation,

Bruce.  >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

76eldo

#1
If it's not long enough to allow for dropping the back glass then it's worthless.
I never use the zipper on any of my tops.  I did on my 60 when I first got it but the rear curtain was separating from the top so once I got it zipped up I left it alone.  On my new top I don't touch it.

On my 76 I never touch the zipper.

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

The Tassie Devil(le)

So, any idea why it is there?   It must be there for a reason.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

Scot Minesinger

The zipper was there so that the back window could essentially be lowered and with windows down and top up, a much better breeze would flow thru the car than with back window up.  Never seen it on a glass window convertible top. 

Agree with Brian, don't mess with it, just a hornets nest waiting to be prodded. 

Guess if the sun was too strong back in the day you could enjoy a way better air circulation (almost same as top down?, or close)with a convertible back window unzipped and side windows down than a standard closed car.  This would have been before a/c really caught on and windows were not glass on convertibles.  frankly I would just put the top down.
Fairfax Station, VA  22039 (Washington DC Sub)
1970 Cadillac DeVille Convertible
1970 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1970 four door Convertible w/Cadillac Warranty

The Tassie Devil(le)

Here is the zip.

The sellers of the tops say that every top has these zips, even from factory.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

The Tassie Devil(le)

Any thoughts?

How many of you have found the zip under the flap, and didn't realise it was there?

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

m-mman

The information about lowering the window (glass) for ventilation is true BUT think about it from a construction and installation standpoint. It is much easier to create the top and install the top if is in two pieces.

Also, In some years and makes when the top is folded the clear vinyl window is folded in half. This can result in a milky crease across it. By unzipping the vinyl window and lying it flat in the top well, it is then not creased when the top folds.

Zipper care? IF, for whatever reason, you want to open/close a rear window zipper, start by lubricating it.
Sprays are good (WD40 or silicone) but they can sometimes stain. I have also had good luck with WAXING the zipper. Rub a candle over the zipper, open and/or closed.  During rubbing the wax will be scraped off the candle and 'forced' into the nooks & crannies. THEN work the zipper back and forth.

Prewar type cars (no A/C available so ventilation was important) were sometimes equipped with a strap on the window curtain that snapped onto the last bow. This supported the heavy glass curtain until your could unite and close the two halves of the zipper.
1929 341B Town Sedan
1971 Miller-Meteor Lifeliner ambulance
Other non-Cadillac cars
Near Los Angeles, California

CLC #29634

The Tassie Devil(le)

I am aware of the older vehicles and how the zip works, but I really need to know about the zip in the Scissors top.

The zip appears too short to be useful, and there is nothing on the inside that looks anything like the reverse side of the zip.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

The Tassie Devil(le)

Seeing as there haven't been many replies to my actual question, I appeal to all owners of Scissors tops to go and have a look to see if their top has the zip, or not.   Oh, and report back.

There are very few down here that I can actually check myself.

Thanks,

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe