convertible top snaps

[42dodgeguy]

Help! Help! I recently had a top put on my Dodge which is a 42, D-22 but I think is the same dimensionally as a D-24, and the guy that did it didn't put any snaps around the back side, so I can't get a boot made till I install some after the fact. Is there anyone out there in a warm weather state (It's 20 degrees below zero here in Minnesota) that could tell me how many total snaps there are around the backside, and could take a tape measure, and get me some snap to snap to snap etc. dimensions? I'd be most grateful, and willing to reciprocate by responding to any inquiries you might have that I could help with. Thanks a million in advance for any response...Mike

[DrDoctor]

   My experience with convertibles is with a 1956 Chevrolet – not a vehicle discussed here, but the principles are the same. I replaced the top, and boot, on that car, and the male portion of the snaps along the chrome trim on the back. There were already holes in the trim, so location of the snaps was, shall we say, “a snap”. Anyway, puns aside, do you have any holes for the male portion of the snaps that would’ve been there prior to your new top installation? Then, you just match those to the top boot for the female portion of the snaps. If the boot already has the female portion of the snaps in place, than use that to determine the location of the male portion of the snaps on the car. Regards . . .  Thx.

[42dodgeguy]

I wish it were that easy, unfortunately, the installation of the top covered up the holes. The guy that put the top on really pulled a rock on that one!

[Dodgeb4ya]

I have a factory original 1948 Chrysler top boot which has 17 snaps around the outside horseshoe portion

 Later today I could do some measurements.

Google is great for looking at pictures of this kind of info.

I saw several 1946-48 Dodge convertibles.

All  1942-48 Dodge, DeSoto and Chrysler should all use the same fitting top boot snap locations.

[42dodgeguy]

Thanks for the reply, but I do know from experience that the Chrysler has more snaps and in different pattern than the Dodge. Also, the P-15 Plymouth is different. I think the Desoto is the same as the Chrysler, and that leaves the Dodges as unique to themselves. 

[Dodgeb4ya]

Isn't the Dodge body shell a "Big Body" car same as the Desoto and Chrysler?

Plymouth's are all by themselves...smaller platform.

[42dodgeguy]

It's the same in some areas, but I know for a fact that it's different in the area where the snaps go. I myself have a Chrysler 17 snap boot, and I know it's way different than my Dodge. My car does have 3 snaps on each side where the top material snaps to the body. but they are way closer together than the ones on the

Chrysler boot. I've seen some pictures of Dodges, and I believe the total snap count is something like 14 or 15 but thanks again for your replies

[Dodgeb4ya]

Can't help.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I am reading this and see with every try to aid by another member,  it is answered with facts already known to you but not put forward in your original question which makes helping a bit moot at times.  I gather also by underling statements that the top used was from a D24 and that possibly there was no remains of the original top on hand from which to take measurements.  Further I gather that any body work done prior has covered the very position of the existing latch position. IF the former, was this accomplished by welding or soldering/leading or worse yet maybe just a bondo action.  I would think that you could look at the backside of the panel and see if you can ascertain the position of the original snaps.  Very few shops will grind smooth and fill any imperfection on a unseen side of a panel....I think an investigation would possibly go a long way here.  If original positions are found in this manner, odds are you can reconfirm the holes from beneath accurately.

Edited December 18, 2016 by Plymouthy Adams

[42dodgeguy]

Unfortunately, it's not that easy, as there's a liner in the well that blocks access from the inside, and of course the installation of the top blocks access from the outside, so I'm thinking that the only thing that can save me would be a guy with a D-24 convertible, and a tape measure. Many thanks, though to you, and also to all the other guys that took time to respond.

[normanpitkin]

I have a 1941 Chrysler Windsor convertible and a tape measure .Do you want me to measure anything?

[42dodgeguy]

Norman: Does your Chrysler have 17 snaps around the outside like the 46-48 Chryslers do? If so, it is probably not the same. I suspect, but not completely sure that the Dodge has only about 14 or possibly 15 snaps. If your 41 Chrysler one has less than 17, I'd be very interested in what snap to snap to snap measurements you could come up with going around the outside. Thanks, and wishing I could help you with the speedometer deal. I had to build a hybrid cable for my Dodge because it has a later model auto trans in it. I cut a couple of housings apart, one 42 Dodge, and one G.M. one, welded them together, then got one of those universal inner cables, stuck it inside my housing, being sure it slid fully into the trans then cut the other end to a length that allowed 1/2 inch of the square part sticking past the end of the housing, greased it a bit, put it together, and 1300 miles later, it's still working. Hope this helps you in any way?...Mike

[normanpitkin]

i have 14 snaps ,each one about 8 1/2 inches apart ,actually i have the very old and rotten one the car came with which i used for a pattern ,its yours if you want it! But ,I am in London UK.

[42dodgeguy]

Norman: Are you sure that the spacing is 8 1/2 inches consistently? I've seen pictures of Dodge ones and it looks like the space between the 3rd and 4th ones are a lot closer. What I have on mine is 3 on each side and the spacing between is 6 1/4 inches, then I'm missing all the ones that go around the back that I think might be the other 8.

[Plymouthy Adams]

if you have the position of the three on each side then would not a simple drawn line making the arc around the rear equally bisected with the additional clips suffice as it is evident that Norman's are equally spaced....one would think your application would be also...

Not trying in any manner to run you off from here but the AACA folks dwell on the fine points and the mundane...I would suggest a question placed in the Dodge forum to get you a few owners who have this information right at their finger tips this minute.  I think shaking out the loop of the lasso is in order...

[42dodgeguy]

Plymouthy: Going to the AACA might be a good move. I thought this D24 site might be the deal, but so far all the responses I have are from Chrysler guys. I do, however mightily appreciate the efforts of all who have responded whether productive or not so much.

[wayfarerstranger]

If the installation of the new top COVERED up the holes , how are you going to get the snaps in anyway ?? Maybe you should post some pictures .

[rb1949]

A place that makes tops for the '42 might have some dimensions. https://www.topsonline.com/model/Convertible_Tops_And_Accessories/Dodge/1940_thru_1942_Dodge_Custom_And_Deluxe_2_Door_Convertible_Coupe.html

[wayfarerstranger]

Looks like  17  .

[DrDoctor]

   Wow!!! Beautiful Car.

[42dodgeguy]

Guys: After more research, it seems I went at this deal with some erroneous assumptions, chiefly that the top on my car was the same as the 46-48 D-24's after looking at the top site that rb 1949 suggested, it seems that the tops from 40 thru 42 are the same, and I possibly need to get the snap to snap to snap dimensions from someone that had one of those cars, and pursuing this on the AACA site that Plymouthy suggested might be a good move also. Once again, a hearty thanks to all who have tried to help me, and if anyone out there has a 40-42 Dodge that they would be willing to measure, I'd be eternally grateful. As a postscript, it seems that the Chrysler tops are indeed different, and the website lists several models of Chrysler tops for coupe converts, club coupe converts, windsors, T.C. etc, and they list them as fitting 40-41 and 46-48. Strangely the 42 year isn't mentioned at all?

[Ron42Dodge]

Mike,

Here are more pictures of 42 Dodge Convertibles. The red car pictures are the same car which ended up in the UK.

17 snaps seem to be on the outer perimeter

Ron

[Ron42Dodge]

I managed to get some measurements off an original 42 Dodge top.  May have to be some field adjustment for your actual condition.  The front 2 snaps are in a slot like piece.  Also measured the rear window while I was there.