HERE IS A PIC OF AN ORIGINAL ROOF

[Sandy]

I am sorry I brought this all up. When will I learn to shut-up ?

One last attempt:

I BELIEVE that the smaller plastic corner convertible windows, of the Capri series were LARGER than the same windows on a 1987 & 1988 Mustang McLaren. I also believe that when they changed to sew-style (to copy Mercedes) on the 1989/1990 edition, that once again, the small convertible plastic wrap-around windows got slightly smaller once again.

[#67 Black Mac']

Ron, if you are looking for a stamp in the plastic window, keep in mind the plastic window might be a replacement while the top is original. The original window may have cracked or turned yellow or clouded up due to various reasons and required replacement. I had one repleaced in a 1965 Mustang once due to a hole poked in the plastic during sub-zero temps in the winter and using a window sweep hap-hazardly to clear off snow... Looked like new after installment!

Well, I hadn't thought of that possibility.

I thank all of you who have participated in this thread by adding comments, posting photos and attempting to help me determine whether my black top is an original.
It looks like we have come to a bit of a stalemate on this, so:
until information comes along that certifiably disproves it; I am just going to assume that the rumor is true, that my top is original, and that I have the one black convertible with black top that ASC produced in 85.
That is, unless someone has an objection!
Ron

[85McLaren]

I actually thought that some late 88s got some of the 89 changes ?

My door pull 'cups' are the later style.

I believe my top may be different too. I thought the measurements were different, but I could be wrong....

Jason

[RareFox]

My car is apparently a very late '88 model due to the location of the sideview mirrors on the doors. Also have the power mirror control up on the angled area of the center console near the storage bin lid, rather than down near the shifter. The build date of the car by Ford was April, though I have no idea how long it might've languished as a new unit on ASC's back lot prior to conversion. The Sikkens paint and ASC decals on the drivers door are unfortunately too faded to read. I'm guessing the model year changeover to 1989 might've happened somewhere in the June/July range. From what I've read here there is no rhyme nor reason to the order that ASC employees pulled cars other than to fill an order for a manual or automatic transmission. Not necessarily relevant to this discussion though... just thinking out loud.

Likely can't add much to the debate regarding convertible tops, although I'm definitely enjoying reading it. I'm fairly certain the top on my car is aftermarket (was already on the car when purchased), though it would be awesome to find out it's an OEM replacement. It does have the larger plastic side windows, though some detail differences seem to exist when comparing closely to the numerous other photos posted.

Wasn't aware until now that the original tops of '89 - '90 cars were potentially different from a stitching/welting perspective. Thought it had been determined that all years of the Mustang-based cars were identical from a convertible top perspective? Anyone have excellent, high-res photos of an '87 model that is without question still wearing the factory original top? Apologies if this strays too far from the original topic, but now I am curious...

[Sandy]

THANK YOU RON, THAT WAS EXPRESSED PERFECTLY! THAT WAS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TRYING TO CONVEY THRU THE CHEMO-BRAIN.

I BELIEVE THAT 1984-1986 USED THE SAME TOP.
1987 AND 1988 WERE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT AND 1989 AND 1990
WERE AGAIN DIFFERENT.