looking for some unobtainium

T

tom1948

Senior Member
does anyone on this forum know where I could possibly find the headliner retainer(?) strips. these are the ones that go around the door and the A and B pillars. the car is a 1948 Mercury sedan coupe. thanks all Tom
 
Like you said, probably unobtainium. However, I believe they are similar to the ones used on my '40 Ford. If I'm not mistaken, they are simply flat sheet metal trim pieces fastened to the area above the windows and covered with thin padding and matching headliner material. With that in mind, why not just make them yourself? You could take some heavy weight poster board from Hobby Lobby and draw out a template to match the profile of the area it will cover and cut it out of a suitable gauge of sheet steel or better still - sheet aluminum (they will be covered anyway and no one will know). If your skillset isn't up to the task, a good auto upholstery shop should be able to make them for you.
 
Just finished my ‘46 Mercury sedan coupe. They are great driving cars. The headliner retainers would be the same as ‘42-48 Fords, so they can’t be that hard to find. Maybe call one of the junkyards that advertise in Hemmings. Or I have a buddy here in the St. Louis V8 club who’s restoring a ‘46 Ford sedan coupe, and I’m sure he could take photos along-side a ruler so you could get some idea. I’m pretty sure he had a complete original car when he started. Maybe some strips from other cars could be modified. I recall mine being pretty simple. Let me know if you want photos.
 
The last time I was at Windy Hill, the Old cars were pretty well picked over :eek

Another big salvage yard is Rohners Auto Salvage, just 6 miles north of
Willmar, MN. Phone: 320-235-4602 ;)



.
 
The 1956 Road smasher Buick had thin trim holding up the headliner. The trim might be alterable to fit your Ford.
Clem
 
You can make "tuck under strip" out of light gauge sheet metal. In the case of your Merc it would go on after the wind lace is attached.

Here are some pictures I saved from a hamb post detailing the fabrication, installation, trim tools, and headliner fitment.
 

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rich b said:
You can make "tuck under strip" out of light gauge sheet metal. In the case of your Merc it would go on after the wind lace is attached.

Here are some pictures I saved from a hamb post detailing the fabrication, installation, trim tools, and headliner fitment.
Click to expand...
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look at Albrights upholstery Pligrip flex trim
I used it for my headliner attachment and it worked great
I also have quite a bit left if someone could use it
 
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