Correct tonneau stud pattern for 427 cobra

[A98Coupe]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for all the information, but back to my original question which started this thread........nobody has posted any information about the correct stud pattern on the front cowl for a 427 (not a 289, they are different). Can anyone help?

Thanks again
Stuart

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by A98Coupe

Hey Guys,
Thanks for all the information, but back to my original question which started this thread........nobody has posted any information about the correct stud pattern on the front cowl for a 427 (not a 289, they are different). Can anyone help?

Thanks again
Stuart

These studs as you know are only for the tonneau. Trying to use a reference point on the front cowl might be difficult.
I'd suggest that you lay the tonneau in place, locate the rear lift-a-dot snaps, then pick the 5 spaced out locations on the cowl to place the lift-a-dots studs. Then regardless of the shape of your front cowl you know it will fit.

[Jim Maxwell]

Sorry to not have gotten back to you regarding the pattern. I told you I was slow. I will try to get it done this weekend, although I am working both days.
I have owned 4 Cobras (3-289's and 1-427) and the tonneaus are all interchangeable. How do I know? Because I have done it multiple times. I just grab one when I go out on a road trip and I don't care which one I grab. The windows also have fit every car.
I beg to differ with those that think that the studs were placed and then the lift-a-dots were installed on the tonneau to match. That would be next to impossible to get right.
What does make sense is there was a pattern and the provider of the tonneaus used that pattern to install the lift-a-dots on the tonneaus and the same pattern was used by the guys in the factory for the studs.

Jim

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by Jim Maxwell

Sorry to not have gotten back to you regarding the pattern. I told you I was slow. I will try to get it done this weekend, although I am working both days.
I have owned 4 Cobras (3-289's and 1-427) and the tonneaus are all interchangeable. How do I know? Because I have done it multiple times. I just grab one when I go out on a road trip and I don't care which one I grab. The windows also have fit every car.
I beg to differ with those that think that the studs were placed and then the lift-a-dots were installed on the tonneau to match. That would be next to impossible to get right.
What does make sense is there was a pattern and the provider of the tonneaus used that pattern to install the lift-a-dots on the tonneaus and the same pattern was used by the guys in the factory for the studs.

Jim

Jim,
I totally agree that a pattern was used for the body and tonneau when the cars were built. Replacement tops and tonneaus from non OEM manufacturer are produced without the lift-a-dots in place. I've installed lift-a-dots on replacement tonneaus to match the stud pattern on the car. If you want to save a lot of time and grief, buy a punch that is designed to cut the holes for the folding tabs on the lift-a-dots.
http://canvasdealer.com/lift-the-dothandpunch.aspx

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

These studs as you know are only for the tonneau. Trying to use a reference point on the front cowl might be difficult.
I'd suggest that you lay the tonneau in place, locate the rear lift-a-dot snaps, then pick the 5 spaced out locations on the cowl to place the lift-a-dots studs. Then regardless of the shape of your front cowl you know it will fit.

Just for clarity I was not suggesting to use a tonneau with lift-a-dot snaps in place to locate all the studs. I was suggesting to fit a new tonneau to the rear studs and then use the tonneau to locate the front cowl studs. Whether you wish 4 studs as used by a 289 or 5 studs as used by a 427.

[Jim Maxwell]

Here are the measurements for the front studs on my original 427 Cobra. You can see that things aren't exactly symmetrical or precise, as others have pointed out. Let me know if you need other measurements.

[strictlypersonl]

I tend to think that it was more likely that there was a template for both the body and the tonneau. We have a fiberglass overlay to locate the studs on the body. I would worry that using fabric to locate the studs is too "wishy-washy" to ensure consistency from car to car. The tonneau must end up pretty tight - even a 1/4" variation could effect that.

[Jim Maxwell]

I failed to mention that the soft tops for all the Cobras used these same studs, so the presence of a uniform template used on all the cars is the only reasonable hypothesis. I have three original soft tops, all fit the same.

[A98Coupe]

Jim,

Thanks again for taking the trouble to make a pattern. I'll await your PM when it's done.

Regards
Stuart

[Rick Parker]

I believe the Robbins products were marked in "White" outline as to where to fasten the Lift A Dots. They made a point that their product is intended for OEM fitting and applications,however as long as the dimensions such as length and width of the interior are very close it will fit.
When I did my Pins and Lift A Dots I took the dimensions from a CSX 427 that was on display at a local classic car dealer. He was kind enough to allow me to take several measurements carefully. They matched the Robbins top very well. I used a cloth measuring tape (used for sewing) and measured from the mirror base to each respective pin, and then made a pattern with square grid pattern paper. It took a complete day to do it right. I used a combination of self tapping pins and some that utilize a metric nylock nut on a threaded shank.

[mickmate]

Hey Jim that's really good info thanks. If you get a chance a couple of measurements in from the cockpit edge would really help. You're a heck of a resource for us!

[A98Coupe]

Jim,

That's excellent information! Thankyou very very much!!!!