[Northern Goat]

What else would I need to purchase in order to install the 74 Firebird abs headliner (similar to link below) in a 71?

http://www.stockinteriors.com/Headli...23&ModelId=384

[x-bird2]

you need the rear seatbelt retractor covers to cover the cutouts. The upper cap-off trim going around the edge of the headline is also different between the rod/fabric type (71) and one piece type. whether the 71 type will look ok with the one piece, i'm not sure, they might work.

[cnc]

I'll be watchin this too I have a 74 roof welded into my 70....though I'm not too particular about having the upper belts....

[x-bird2]

you don't need the belts if you don't want them, just the plastic covers. otherwise you've got two big rectangular holes --- my 73 has the later one in it from the previous owner, i sold off the covers for a nice buck before i realized that no one at the time offered a replacement one-piece w/o cutouts liner for the 73....

[Rack776]

The best way I have found to do it is find a 79-81 headliner board made of the pressed insulation board (like a newer car), and have a trim shop glue the new vinyl to it, they might be able to patch up the cut outs before they apply the new vinyl.

You might also be able to splice a patch on the back of the new plastic repo board and have it recovered with new vinyl.

I tried a new repo headliner and it fit terrible and had creases running along the 2
sides where it should be rounded.

An original 75-78 masonite type board is prone to havingthe board cracking and warping or drooping.

Are the repo headliners are much better than they were about 8 years ago?
Do they still ship them rolled up and squashed?, mine was. It was also 2-3 inches
bigger arround the edges. Maybee I got a prototype and they fixed it by now.

[x-bird2]

once i decide to drop the coin and am happy with a repro for my 73, there will be an original 74-up with black carpet style available.... ;~) meantime, i spray painted some indoor/outdoor carpet black and double-stick taped it in the cutout hole not pretty, but a slight improvement.

[Rack776]

Oh man I Love it!
Someone fixing up a super rare SD Formula with Astro turf and Sticky Tape!

I'm Just Kidding, I could not resist typing that!
Someone had installed green shag house carpet -painted black of course- in my car
and I drove it that way for a few years

If no one else needs it, I'd be interested in buying that 74 headliner if its ever up for grabs.
My board is shot and I planned on fixing it with fiberglass.

I wonder if a seat belt "block off" trim plate could be made from some thin masonite board or sheet plastic and covered with extra seat vinyl from a junk seat,
Use 2 chrome trim screws to attach the "block off plate" to the roof at the factory holes, it would all depend on the curve of the roof in that area.

[x-bird2]

i might have it out this summer--depends on the funds. headliner and front seat covers are the main things left in the interior, it got a carpet this past summer. It's in not too bad of shape, there is a crack in the board at at least one rear corner, but it does not hang down at all. You've never seen the primer thug, have you? kinda nice to not have to worry about it being nice and restored, it's better yet when you whomp up on something that thinks it's just a trailer trash pos camaro. ;~)

[Rack776]

Originally Posted by x-bird2

i might have it out this summer--depends on the funds. headliner and front seat covers are the main things left in the interior, it got a carpet this past summer. It's in not too bad of shape, there is a crack in the board at at least one rear corner, but it does not hang down at all. You've never seen the primer thug, have you? kinda nice to not have to worry about it being nice and restored, it's better yet when you whomp up on something that thinks it's just a trailer trash pos camaro. ;~)

Oh Yea, I saw it at Maple Grove years ago when you were fighting the fuel tank sock problem. That car sounds mean
I also have the body work articles tattoed in my brain from reading them over 1,000 times.
I always had a soft spot for those tough looking east coast street race cars that looked like hell but went even faster

I'm in the same boat as you, my T/A is mechanically sound, no rust, a new interior
(where I spend most of my time with the car any way )
.....and I have 25 years of road rash on my original paint with both doors & quarters skillfully refinished with Dupliclor sprat paint
Its nice to be able to bring it home after a long drive on those windy roads and be able to clean it with some formula 409 and a paper towel,
no wasted mony on that Meguires clay bar crap for me, no stress on cleaning 2,000 dead bugs off the front end either.

My F-bird looks like frankenstein built out of 5 or 6 different cars,
-Thats thats the only reason I would kidd you about your Formy.

We need to start a thread for guys with battle scared drivers for owners who like
to actually use their cars