VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 1948 Convertible Top Boot Attaching Snaps

So the car is at the upholstery shop and the upholsterer wanted to drill holes in my belt molding to mount the snaps that would hold the back edge of the top boot when the top is down. No! I said. These old Chevrolets didn't mount the snaps on the molding. I went and took a picture of how and where they were installed in another '48 in the area. I've downloaded that picture into the VCCA Member's Photos. It shows the snaps going right on top of the "wire-on" and then into the tack strip. Not sure where else they could be mounted as I certainly didn't have any other holes in my car. Is this where they should be mounted? Is this what it should look like? Unless otherwise directed, they'll be in this location by Friday... Thanks for your prompt help.

I am glad you told the uphostery shop not to drill thru the rear stainless mouldings. That would have looked bad and you probably would have lost a few points when your car gets judges in Flint. Your 48 will be at Flint, won't it?

dtm

Hi Dale, my name is Johnny (1948chevy.com) and i completed my car last April, with the exception of a few accessories that i need to install. I am glad you stopped the upholstery guy from drilling thru your belt molding, that would have been a HUGE mistake! The pic you posted is the correct location for the snaps. My whole interior and top (also boot) was purchased from Hampton Coach and if i recall the boot comes with snaps in a bag. The placement and spacing of the snaps is up to the installer. I chose an excellent upholstery guy, very old school and very knowledgeable with interiors and tops. He choose the spacing and he knew where to put the snaps.

Johnny -

Thanks for confirming the location of the snaps! My top is also a Hampton Coach and does come with the snaps. They just needed a little guidance on location. :-) The instructions they provide with the kit do show the spacing for the snaps, so hopefully it will turn out okay.

I've seen a couple pictures of your car that someone took at a car show last year. Looks fantastic! I haven't found any completed pictures on your website, though. Looking forward to seeing more of them.

Thanks again for the help.

Thanks Dale, I was very busy last year doing the car shows i let the website go. I am currently updating the link to my restoration and should have all the pictures uploaded in about a month and a half. i am currently updating once a week and do not intend to stop. In the next few weeks i will have a full photo shoot of the convertible and will post on my website to end the restoration.

Johnny--can't wait to see finished car--your website was very valuable to me when I had my convertible.

Dale--my snaps were also in the tack strip--

Thanks, Ken. My top went on the car today. Hopefully, all is well at the upholsterers. :-)