Front Bow on Top Frame - Which One?

[launieg]

I have to put a lot of pressure on the fasteners to get the top latched onto the windshield on my '81. I am afraid of breaking the fasteners, plus I want to make it easier to close the top up in our rainy climate.

After spending an hour with it today, I have decided that the top was installed poorly. I know it is a replacement top. Fortunately the glue that was used allows the fabric to be easily peeled off the various bows.

However, I see that the fasteners on the front bow are not mounted in the original bolt locations on the bow, which appear to be significantly off to one side. Instead, the fasteners are mounted on the bow with metal screws.

I am guessing that someone replaced the front bow with the wrong year. Is that a possibility? When I look at Vick's catalogue, it shows the fasteners are different for 1981 and newer. However, when I look at Bruce's catalogue, it shows the bow as different for '78 and up. Am I missing something... what changed and when?

I plan to remove the vinyl top and the top frame, clean up and paint the top frame, and reinstall it all correctly If I have the wrong front bow, is the only difference the latch mounting locations, or is there some other difference? Should I try to find the right bow, or make do?

Thanks.

[mbouse]

I am guessing that someone replaced the front bow with the wrong year. Is that a possibility?
Thanks.

in the world of antique auto restoration, anything is possible.

without pictures, we can't help much