[topfuel67]

I have the headliner in my 66 hung on the 5 bars and clipped in. I have been watching you tube videos and saw one for a 67 where there is a metal strip at the top by the sail panels. My 67 also has these, but my 66 doesn't. I don't see screw holes for these in my 66. It seems like the 66 should have them as it doesn't have anything to pull the headliner tight by the sail panels.
Any advice from someone who has done this is appreciated. Do I just glue the headliner to the sheet metal? Or is there hardware I'm missing.

[ZeGermanHam]

My Pontiac, MI built '66 has those rails. Interesting that yours doesn't.

[Jeff Hamlin]

Yes, your '66 should have them as well.

[topfuel67]

This was a rust free California car and I don't see a single screw hole, staple hole or anything. I do see 2 clips right beside the rear windshield and looking in the opgi's catalog I see an extra, thin sail panel attaches between the rear windshield and the regular sail panel for the early cars. Mine was built 12/15/65.

[topfuel67]

I think I figured it out. There's a first design with the 3.5" wide sail panels just by the rear windshield and the headliner covers all the way down to the bottom of the quarter windows. Mine has a strip down there. So I ordered the wrong headliner. Ames specifies a 1st and second design. Where I got mine didn't.

[Jeff Hamlin]

You are correct,
I didn't think about asking about a build date since you already had the liner in.

IMO the easy fix would be to get the tack strips Vs trying to replicate the 1st design at this point.

The 1st design was always a PITA to tighten and always looked loose, thus likely why they went to full sail panels.

[topfuel67]

I considered that, but I just can't bring myself to alter this car. I would have to remove the strip from below. Take the 2 strips from my 67 (and replace those later) and then notch the rear window channel plus drill a bunch of holes. Just to have the wrong headliner in. This is a factory 4 spd 3x2 SPEC paint code car with a bunch of rare options. Headrests, rail lights, etc. Its $95 for the Ames headliner kit, so I am ordering that one. At least I didn't glue this one in yet. I hung it, waited a couple of days, clipped it, waited, steamed it, waited and got it pretty tight. I think I got the process down pretty good.
Thank you for the replies.

[Jonsie]

You're doing it right........wait, steam, clip, rinse and repeat. Hanging headliner is an art

[topfuel67]

Jeff, is that a special trim piece on the bottom strip? Or is it just windlace? I could only find an image online of a 66 Chevelle with the 1st design and it had completely different trim.
Thank you for the pics of the 66. I see what you mean by it not pulling as tight.
I've watched a bunch of you tube videos where 1 guy installs a headliner in less than an hour (or so it seems). Mine had folds that have not been easy to get out. Seems like they folded it and then pressed it with an iron.

[Jeff Hamlin]

Yes, it's a plastic finish trim pc and was color-keyed to the liner.

[topfuel67]

Do you have any spares to sell? Thank you for the pics!

[Jeff Hamlin]

Sorry do not.