Announcement

**svobud** · 11-04-2002, 05:55 PM

It's sorta one of those "Urban Legends" for the SVO world. Supposely - there were "5" T-top SVOs built for Ford Executives. All T-top Mustangs were given the "T-top" by an outside contractor (I thinking it was Cars and Concepts, but don't quote me - it's been a long day)... away from the Ford Production Assembly line. The "T-top" option was not an official option for the SVO. There have been SEVERAL people who have either seen one, seen one new sitting on a dealership floor, or who actually own one. A few of the ones who own one - have documentation that shows that the aftermarket company who had always installed the "T-tops" for Ford had also installed their SVO's T-tops as well.

Were there any PRODUCTION BUILT Mustang SVOs with the option of "T-tops" is on their build sheet or door data plate??? None that I have seen or been made aware of....take that for what it's worth. Maybe the one you're looking at it has the actual factual proof many of us have been searching for.

btw - this was moved from the CLASSFIEDS to here.

**1DSVO** · 11-04-2002, 10:10 PM

T-TOP SVO

THANKS BUD, THIS CAR HAS ALL DOCUMENTATION THAT IT WAS BOUGHT OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR AS HAVING A T-TOP OPTION AND WAS INSTALLED BY THE DEALER ( I ASSUME). IT STILL HAS ALL THE ORIGINAL PAPERWORK AND FACTORY FORD DECALS IN THE HATCH AREA ALONG WITH THE T-TOP HOLDING BRACKETS. THIS CAR ALSO HAD TO UTILIZE THE COVERTABLE DOORS AND DOES NOT HAVE POWER WINDOWS. THIS KIND OF PROVES THAT IF FOR SOME FLUKE IT WAS FROM THE FACTORY, WOULDN'T THEY HAVE INSTALLED THE POWER WINDOWS LIKE ALL THE REST? (EXCEPT COMP-P.). STILL I THINK THIS IS A DEFINITE KEEPER! NEEDS LOTS OF WORK THOUGH BUT WELL WORTH IT.

**svobud** · 11-04-2002, 10:55 PM

It's interesting - to say the least. I'd like to get a chance to look at it some day. Does it have the correct door data tag on it? This would be located on the the driver's door. It should have the VIN-etc info on it.

Gary (fellow Board of Director) use to work for a company that handled Dealer Installed options for Nashville area car dealerships. Kinda interesting sometimes really. They would do leather installs in a car or truck, sunroofs (they even did a SVT Cobra once), and things of that nature. Interesting stuff (like the Cobra) - but dealer installed items are usually done in an effort to move cars off the lot that aren't selling ... and usually don't command increases in collector value.

Still - a SVO with T-tops that was sold off the dealership lot like that .... very interesting.

**GT350R** · 11-06-2002, 12:39 AM

Just to make a grey area even greyer.....

All Ford T-tops were done outside of Ford.

But were done local to the assembly line.

Where were the dealer cars done? Mostly outside custom shops local to the dealer using the same kit (only kit avalible?).

So then it comes down to where the t-tops were installed also. That would make three levels of cars. Ones with build code data, ones that were pushed through for Ford employees, and dealer installed.

As far as worth goes? lets face it, T-tops are sweet! Sure they are a little white trash , but I sure love them.

I would seriously have to say that it would be hard for me to own an SVO without them. I am just wayyyyyyy to used to having them in all three of my turbo GT's.

So then the question comes up,,, does it matter where they came from? Should they be worth more? I think yes. Are the cooler? I think yes.

Once again. Drivers car and T-tops only add to the over all driving experiance. If you disagree, I say its been a long time since you took a long fun scenic cruise on a warm summer day with the t-tops out.

FWIW, T-top doors are different the convertable doors. They all originalted from regular doors , but they have different strikers, weather strip trim and glass as well as speaker holes cut in the vert doors (some).

**SVOPaul** · 11-06-2002, 09:46 AM

To set the record straight on doors....T-top, convertible and hatchback doors are all basically the same....they ALL started out as the hatchback/coupe doors and were modified by Cars & Concepts for the T-top and convertibles.....they cut the doors and added the necessary glass, trim and weatherstrip along with a reinforcement plate at the top inside(under the door panel). You can take a standard door to this day and modify it to replace a rusty original just as they did back then. ALL doors started out the same so there is no physical difference other than the trim and weatherstrip parts that were added....and those varied throughout the years. If you ever pull apart one of these doors you will clearly see where they were cut for use on T-tops and convertibles.

**GT350R** · 11-06-2002, 11:07 PM

Yeah, but try converting a nice convertable door to a t-top door. You have a TON of holes to weld and fill in. There is a metal finish plate that goes right under the window weatherstrip. They must have 10 holes for them to mount! Hard to get a nice fill job and have it look good. That and the big square striker thing that has four holes drilled for it.

MUSH easier to convert a regular door to T-top , then it is to convert a convertable door to t-top.

**AT6svo** · 11-11-2002, 05:44 PM

I can add much subject matter, but I agree T-tops are cool but Lew's quote had me rolling.... :p

Originally posted by GT350R

As far as worth goes? lets face it, T-tops are sweet! Sure they are a little white trash , but I sure love them.

I guess that means I am a little white trash too. Thats ok, I'd much rather be that than a stuck up snob.

-mike

**dgallo** · 11-13-2002, 04:34 PM

SVO T-TOP

I found a Pic of a T-Top mustang. Check it out. Thought you guys might like it.

Attached Files

**8T6 SVO** · 11-13-2002, 09:05 PM

T-Top SVO

Go to www.norcalsvo.com, then go to members cars, then look at Sean Walsh's 1984 SVO - It was one of these T-Top cars.

**8T6 SVO** · 11-13-2002, 09:07 PM

T-Top SVO

the right link

https://www.norcalsvo.com

**svobrown** · 11-14-2002, 10:19 PM

Dgallo I got one of those kits bout a year ago.

Have it sitting on the desk at work.

The hood up working on motor, or is that the one at home.

**GT350R** · 11-15-2002, 02:25 AM

Hey I checked out that Norcal site and there is someone in the parts section parting out an SVO t-topper

**svo90mustang** · 11-15-2002, 06:18 PM

I have also seen an '84 T-Top SVO but it wasn't a factory job. The original owner of the car had it done within the first two years of the ownership of the car. I almost bought that car but i had no place to store it until i could find time to work on it. But personally i like hardtops better but that's just personal preferance. DAMN I WANT AN SVO!!!!

Darryl

**86onedee** · 11-19-2002, 04:37 PM

Here are a few pics of my 1986 SVO with t-tops. These were NOT factory as the door tag does not show the option. I found it at last summer's Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup in Steamboat Springs, CO. These are rather large so dial-up people have been warned

404 Not Found

http://ra.nilenet.com/~abs/DCP00520.JPG

404 Not Found

http://ra.nilenet.com/~abs/DCP00521.JPG

404 Not Found

http://ra.nilenet.com/~abs/DCP00522.JPG