Convertible covers for side when top is down.....

[OldCoastie]

I just learned that two covers are suppose to be provided upon delivery that can be manually instoll to cover that large long void when the top is down. Does anybody know about this, and can you verify for me they are suppose to be provided..... Thanks

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[DT-GT]

Many years ago in early S550 days the covers were provided, but Ford stopped because of quite a few issues. If driven with them in-place they would rub and sometimes fray areas of the top. And, they had to be removed and stored before raising the top. So, they were discontinued. But, if interested in purchasing you can still find them in a few places.

I got them for my 2022 S550 convertible. Modified them with some additional foam and felt in certain spots so that they would not damage the top’s material. They also fit my S650. I’ve used them when my car is on display in a show, but generally do not mess with them at any other time. I have them so they’re available for car shows. If I did not have them, knowing what I do now, I wouldn’t spend the time or effort.

 

[MAT1955]

They can easily damage your top - and - quickly. Stay away from them IMO.

 

[jbrnigan]

I bought a pair of these covers on the marketplace for 20 bucks - they were NOS - brand new. I have had them on and off for 1000's of miles and not the first sign of wear, abrasion, discolorization or other "damage" to the fabric of my top. The foam "gaskets on my covers are/were pristine and contact the the folded top fabric where they are supposed to. I get it, some previous owners had "issues" that I haven't experienced. I like the way they cover the "gap" when the top is folded. Before uising, I found leaves, bugs, and other debris in that opening housing the folding mechanism.

 

[Alex381]

I’ve got about 10k miles on my GT convertible and primarily with the top down. I wanted the covers when I bought my car, but it didn’t include them. I figured I’d go a couple thousand miles and see if I still cared. I don’t at all. They’re completely unnecessary, they can damage the top, and they only make it take longer to drop or raise the top. I wouldn’t worry about it.

 

[OldCoastie]

Thank you so much for clearing thi up, nice to know the story.....MANY THANKS

 

[Rolinuss]

Over here in Europe Ford still provides them as standard equipment for all S650 ragtops and I don't think it's any different for their main market... maybe you should get in tocuh with your dealer.

 

[OldCoastie]

Got to the bottom of the Convertible Top Side Panels, simply put Ford stopped providing them on all S-650 generation. Through some of my contacts this is what I got from a very senior Ford executive....

About those infamous Mustang Convertible Top Side Panels. The panels are not missing, the panels were never issued with any of the S-650 generation Mustang Convertibles.

Several years ago in 2014-2018 the early S550 days the covers were provided, and placed in the trunk. It was the responsibility of the dealer to make the new owner aware of these and instruct how to install, remove, and store these top side panels. It proved to be more trouble for both the customer and the dealers. Neither wanted to deal with having to manually installing and removing and for the owner the panels damaged the convertible top.

Between 2016-2017 very major issues came to light with using them while driving. Over 300 cases were reported when driving with panels installed in-place, the panels would rub against the cloth top causing serious fraying, discoloration, abrasions, and even tearing of the top, after about 1,000 miles.

As a result Ford redesigned these panels adding foam padding and were reissued during the 2018 model year. Did not work, foam fell off or wore down resulting in caused damage. In turn, Ford was responsible to fix or replace more damaged tops under factory warranty.

Ford stopped providing side panels in 2019 production year. Shortly after reissue the same problem was brought to our attention, many people just did not use them because they had to be manually removed and stored before raising the top. It was determined by production engineering the distribution of the Top Side Panels would be discontinued, and surplus would be offered for sale for those who would like them.

The Top Side Panels were discontinued and never came back into production. No panels are provided for any of the S-650 generation. Still a few hundred exist which can be found with aftermarket vendors but not Ford, Found under Part# 763-1045CC0K. You can still find them much cheaper on aftermarket dealers and even on Ebay. Also if purchased Ford highly recommends not drive with these top side panels in place because of the issues of fraying the top due to excessive rubbing the material of the top. Ford is not responsible for any damage as this is not a production issued part. Use only when static display of the car. Hope this helps you out, had to look it up."

This what a found out.....

 

[Rolinuss]

anyway, my car (MY 26) came with the panels and the attached picture shows a top down view of a Euro S650 for a magazine road test. Why should Ford do such a thing???

Second photo shows the trunk of my car with the panels thrown in.

Maybe they had a surplus of panels and just threw them in the trunk of all cars destined for Europe or Down under, who knows...

 

[OldCoastie]

anyway, my car (MY 26) came with the panels and the attached picture shows a top down view of a Euro S650 for a magazine road test. Why should Ford do such a thing???

Second photo shows the trunk of my car with the panels thrown in.

Maybe they had a surplus of panels and just threw them in the trunk of all cars destined for Europe or Down under, who knows...

My post pertains to cars sold in the US and Canada,. Europe falls under a different division at Ford. The color Yellow is not offered in the US on the Mustang.

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