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Facts & Info

Door Top / Roll-up Window Openings

Recent observations by a few Convertible D owners have noted probable production changes in the style of the door top where the roll-up window slot is located.

In the four photos shown below note that on the early style D door the shape of the front of the slot is different as it meets the body contour and the inside front edge where the weather seal is glued on.

Early style door
Late style door
Early style door
Late style door

On the early style door, the outside door body contour continues past the outer roll-up window slot edge to the inner slot edge to meet the interior door metal panel. This creates an approx. 7-8mm wide part of the outer skin that lies in front of that window. The front edge of that narrow piece then steps-down to create the top of the front side of the door as it continues to the hinge area. This step-down in the metal is not covered with the door's weather seal, but weather seal begins where the step-down ends. The later door style is wedge-shaped and the lower part of the wedge is covered by the door weather seal. Also the later door skin contour stops at the outer edge of the window slot and then slopes down at an angle to make the top part of the wedge which then starts the door front side to the hinge area.

The photos below illustrate the differences at the rear of the roll-up window slot. The early door's outer sheet metal continues the door/body contour past the outer edge of the window slot to the inner edge of the window slot where the interior door cap is hung. The later door does not continue the outer door / body contour quite as far and bends at about a 130° angle downward toward the interior floor, stopping to meet the interior upright door metal panel where the interior door cap is hung.

Early style door
Late style door
Early style door
Late style door

Also noted is the absence of the door wedge on the later style doors. Thus, it is possible that the change from the early to late door top styles may have occurred nearly at the same time the door wedges were removed, although I have seen one Conv. D with late style doors also with the door wedge. This was noted at the door wedge phase-out at about chassis numbers 86207 – 86226.

Anyone who can add information to these observations is asked to please contact me at john@convertibledregistry.com
March 27. 2009 –John Chatley



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