[Graucho]

I am interested to know if the roof of the U.S. spec and Eurospec GTV are the same. I am trying to replace the headliner in a 71GTV, and can not get that material Surrounding the recessed panel tight enough to get the wrinkles out. It looks bad, and I can’t find anyone to do it in North NJ. There appears to be a second set of holes for another hanger further back from the one over the front seats. If the roof is in fact the same I can source a headliner and second hanger from Europe, and eliminate the recess in back.
I believe it was only put there on U.S. Spec cars because of DOT regulations to allow someone to sit in the rear seat (but that’s only speculation).
If anyone has any information that indicates it can, or cannot be done, please advise. I desperately need something to do during this quarantine.

Thank you much,
Steve

 

[Alfajay]

Your thinking is on the right track, but I don't think the distinction is "US vs. European". I believe that all steel-bodied GT's had that recess over the rear seat.

It's the aluminum-bodied GTA's that had headliners without that recess. And yes, they had one or two more bows to support the rear portion of the headliner. I doubt if those bows are available from any parts supplier. However, there is a solution: when I chose to put a plain headliner in my Sprint GT, I just made some bows using 1/4" round stock.

 

[Graucho]

Your thinking is on the right track, but I don't think the distinction is "US vs. European". I believe that all steel-bodied GT's had that recess over the rear seat.

It's the aluminum-bodied GTA's that had headliners without that recess. And yes, they had one or two more bows to support the rear portion of the headliner. I doubt if those bows are available from any parts supplier. However, there is a solution: when I chose to put a plain headliner in my Sprint GT, I just made some bows using 1/4" round stock.

Thanks for the feedback. Alfaholics lists the bow, but I didn’t check availability. That, and seeing an extra set of holes that look like they hold the bow in place is what made me think of that solution. Where did you get the headliner, did someone make it for you. How many bows did you use? The Centerline headliner is premade , but has only one bow, and while it is not cutout for the panel, I don’t think you can just sew in another bow.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated. I’ve had everything on hold to finish this step, and I would like to move forward.

Steve

 

[ossodiseppia]

It would be a great help if you post pictures of the issue that you are having.

 

[Alfajay]

Where did you get the headliner, did someone make it for you. How many bows did you use?

My upholsterer just sewed up a headliner, using generic "snakebite" material.

I have two additional bows: one is aligned with the interior lights and the second is about halfway between that and the rear windscreen. They fit into the existing holes in the body. As I recall, the rearmost bow has a pronounced "Z" at its ends, as those holes are lower down than the others.

 

[VabeneGTV]

Also remember the bows fit into plastic cups that are inserted into each hole to avoid metal to metal contact, these are often lost.

 

[Bertiebloke]

I believe it was only put there on U.S. Spec cars because of DOT regulations to allow someone to sit in the rear seat (but that’s only speculation).

I was told that recess was there to meet the Euro touring car race regulations which dictated a certain amount of rear seat headroom. It's also why the rear seats are incredibly deeply scooped out. The story I was told was somebody in Italy got their measurements slightly wrong and there wasn't quite enough head clearance to allow the cars to be eligible. They missed by just a few mm. Anyway, that small amount of recessing in the roof above rear seats was made just to increase headroom enough.

If that's correct then it may not have been needed in US for the same reason but was probably not worth changing production - extra rear headroom was often quoted in contemporary road tests and so having a larger number would be a desirable sales feature.

 

[Graucho]

Thanks for all the constructive input. I have posted some photos of the rear section where the problem lies. It seems that, while in the front you have a lot of room to stretch out any wrinkles, in the back it all seems to come together, and there is no way to stretch them out. My sense is that if you don't get it stretched tight when you mount it toe the ring, it doesn't come out well. I thought when I put the molding strip back on it might tighten things up a bit, but you can see from the shot of the light, it didn't work out that way.

thanks
Steve

 

[ossodiseppia]

Steve, those pictures are tiny. But, from what I can see, a steamer might help sort out these ripples.

 

[Graucho]

Sorry for the photo size, I wasn't sure how big a file the site would allow. I did try a heat gun, and had an upholstery guy helping me, but that was the result. Question, would steam work differently than heat alone?

 

[xitsurf]

With heat/ steam are you trying to shrink it?. Be carful with heat, too much heat could easily distort the vinyl in a way you dont want..