George Bitcon

Still struggling with where everything goes, any chance of some photos from anyone? How does this all hang together?

This is my 55 Special Convertible in Australia just rolled out of the restoration shed.

Awesome, thanks Fireball!

G'day Everyone Greetings from Australia. I'm coming to the end of the restoration of my 55 Special and it's time to fit the soft top. I have the rubber kit and a new canvas top, but I'm not sure how the rubbers go, and in what orientation they should be fitted with the top parts. I don't have any tak strips, but will get some rubber to suit once I know what I need. Does anyone have some photos of the top attachment to the frame, especially the front bow? There are several places to attach tak strips, so if anyone has some photos to show how it all goes together, I'd really appreciate it and any other advice about fitting the top that you can give me. Thank you! Cheers, George.

Thanks mate, much appreciated.

Hello Everyone I'm restoring a 55 Special convertible in Australia and recently received a top boot that I ordered online, but it seems too big - it extends forward too far and partly covers where the rear side window opens. The press-studs don't line up either. Is there a difference in size for these with the Special/Century vs the Super/Roadmaster? I think I've been sent one for the latter. Also, should it also have a strip along the underside that slots into the channel on the rear of the back seat? That is missing as well. These cars are practically non-existent here, so I don't have the chance to compare mine with another. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, George.

G'day Ken It's not perfect in the corners as the lid is a little proud (about 3mm), but the lines down the side and in the middle under the lock are really good. I did think about using a full length shim, but I'm happy with the fix as is. George

Photos of the final fix. Don't know why the blue in the two photos looks different.

G'day Mark. I'm happy with the shim solution on mine, but being a convertible, it has different hinges to your hardtop. I'll post a couple of pics this weekend once I get a permanent packer under the mounting bolt for you to see what I've done. George.

Ok, I think I've worked a solution - shimming the innner-most attachment bolt by about 3mm makes the hinge close further and therefore lower into the trunk space evening up the line between the lid and body. I'll post some photos once I've finalised the process in case anyone else has this problem.

I will try to avoid doing that!

Wow, that sounds pretty drastic. I don't think I want to do that just yet, plus it will ruin my paint job. Seems strange that there is no vertical adjustment to these hinges. I'd be OK if the lid was lower than the body, but this way around it's going to need some creativity. Thanks for your help!

It was dismantled when I got the car, so do not know how it fitted. The seal is installed to the lid, but it's not touching the body - there's a gap and you can see into the trunk.

I can only assume so. The paint on the underside matched the original colour.

Hello All I'm in the process of reassembling my 55 Special Convertible and have an issue with the trunk lid alignment with the body. The lid sits about a 8mm higher than the body at the top and I can't see how this can be adjusted. Non-convertible models have bolted on hinge brackets with torsion bar, but the convertibles have a coiled spring mechanism that appears to be spot welded to the body. As can be seen on the photo below, the height difference is quite pronounced. Does anybody have some information on how to adjust this? Thank you in advance. Cheers, George PS. If anybody has a windscreen that they can sell me for this car, I'd be very interested in purchasing.

Of course, I've just realised it's Thanksgiving holiday in the US, so they won't be open......

I get that there are delays at the moment, Aust. Post never stops telling us. Problem is I have paid (bank transfer - it was 5% off) and I can't seem to get them to answer the phone.... .

Funny, they said the same thing to me 6 weeks ago - back order part had just arrived!

I ordered nearly $4000US worth of parts to be sent to Australia. Did this in early August and numerous emails and a phone call later I still have no parts and don't even know if they have been sent. Won't return my emails. Does anybody live in the vicinity of Neshanic Station that is going to CARS anytime soon?

G'day Stuart Wow, looks magnificent! I'm in Shepparton, Victoria, so a bit away from all the action. I've seen about 3 55s pass through here, although there is a 55 Century 2 door about 1km up the road from me in a shed - the owner says he is going to turn it into a rat-rod, but I'm trying to persuade him not to. No motor, but the car seems complete and fairly rust free, although there is a bullet hole in the rear side window, at least that's what he says it is. Thanks for the offer - I have sourced several parts already from other forum members in the US and they have been great, but I'm sure I will need more at the project progresses. One thing: my car came with a piece of side trim for the left door that is the right length, but not the correct width - it is thinner that the corresponding piece it butts into. I've sourced a replacement, but now have this left over and would like to pass it on - is this a model difference (Super vs Special) or a year difference (55 vs say 54 or 56?) - its the one on the right in the attached photo. Cheers, George

Thanks Rodney, I'll add some more pics when there's something worth posting. HAve a shed project on the go at te moment so the car is on hold. Cheers, George

G'day Rodney Many thanks, I am enjoying the ride. Have a bit of a hold on the resto at the moment, given the even lousier exchange rate, but will get back into it soon when I find a little more time. I have redone the engine with the help of parts from several contacts in the US - they have been great. I'll have to attack something that doesn't need parts from the US next - I'm thinking some body prep might be the go. Cheers, George

Thanks Barney. I joined the BCA last year and have already made several contacts for info and parts - they have been very helpful, as have my contacts through this forum. Would very much like to attend a meet in the US, but this will have to be a long term wish, as any overseas trip right now is not on my radar. Maybe when the kids move out and are on their own! Cheers, George

G'day Dave - do you still have parts for sale? I'm after the following for a 55 Special convertible: Side stainless trim - the piece between the door and the wheel arch on the passenger side Window channels for the front door glass for both sides If you have any of these parts I would be very interested. Many thanks, George Bitcon

Hello I'm restoring a 55 model 46C and need some parts: Passenger side trim between the door and wheel arch Pinchweld around the back of the cabin where the top attaches Rear side window pivot brackets, both sides Speedo Wiper control bezel Door window winder tracks both sides If you have any of these then I'm a buyer! Many thanks! Cheers, George