bob duffer Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Are the side soft top clamps the same on the 56 and 57? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957Birdman Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Bob,It depends on the date of your car. If it was produced after 5/1/1956 it has the 57 style side clamps (they are the same for both the hard and soft tops). If you car was produced before 5/1/1956 it will have the 55 style clamps. Download a copy of the CASCO catalog (www.classictbird.com) and you can see the difference. You can also do the same at www.concoursautoparts.com. All the catalogs have schematics with parts listed that are most helpful for the T-Bird restorer.Regards, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob duffer Posted April 18, 2014 Author Share Posted April 18, 2014 Thanks again, is there a way to tell when my car was made by the vin number? Or how can i tell. I found where the trans dip stick bracket goes in the manual , therejust happened to be a picture of the starter and there it was attached to the starter bolt. The clamps on my soft top one works the other is not looking the same and it does not work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest billybird Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Bob: If you look at the data plate on the firewall, second row you will see a series of #'s & letters. Example: 40A L XL 17LCL32. Breakdown: 40A= Thunderbird L=color XL=interior color 17L=nov. 17th CL32= the district the car was shipped to. The months are as follows:A Jan. B Feb. C March D April E May F June G July H August J Sept. K Oct. L Nov. H Dec. The # preceding this will be the day of the month. I hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957Birdman Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 If you go out to the Classic Thunderbird Club International website (www.ctci.org) and click on Car Tech you will find a data plate decoder. It will give you all the information you need.As for your clamps, the ones on your soft top should match the ones on your hardtop.Regards, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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