Glassback Factory Option in 2009?
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: October 7, 2006
Posts: 2,701
Likes: 1
From: Monrovia, CA
Here's the glassback trim issues. I have sold 6 like this and have seen a dozen go through here. From the inside it's beautiful, and most people don't complain about the trim but they all end up like this.
Pics 1 and 2: Header trim is straight and does not compensate for the curvature of the window-trim always pulls from the corners. Pic 4: Outer edges that meet in the rain channel flatten slightly to correct for the added height, and looks awkward, and Pic 3 the rear trim is clumsy. This has the 2nd gen trim. Not to bash it much, but the devil is in the details.
Overall engineering is excellent and the interior trimwork is perfect. Some of it can't be avoided, but if they would just fix the front friggin trim piece, all would be good.
I've sold three 281E's with glass roofs and you can not tell its glass unless you look through it-its a dead even match for the roof skin. The reference to the Edge is that in scale use on production cars, it could be a $800 option from the factory, would probably hover around $1000 if they did it though, and make a killing even at 750. The TC comes with the sliding glass roof even on the $17k bottom-of-the-barrel version. 15' from where I sit:
Natural curve of roof-6' from my desk...
Pics 1 and 2: Header trim is straight and does not compensate for the curvature of the window-trim always pulls from the corners. Pic 4: Outer edges that meet in the rain channel flatten slightly to correct for the added height, and looks awkward, and Pic 3 the rear trim is clumsy. This has the 2nd gen trim. Not to bash it much, but the devil is in the details.
Overall engineering is excellent and the interior trimwork is perfect. Some of it can't be avoided, but if they would just fix the front friggin trim piece, all would be good.
I've sold three 281E's with glass roofs and you can not tell its glass unless you look through it-its a dead even match for the roof skin. The reference to the Edge is that in scale use on production cars, it could be a $800 option from the factory, would probably hover around $1000 if they did it though, and make a killing even at 750. The TC comes with the sliding glass roof even on the $17k bottom-of-the-barrel version. 15' from where I sit:
Natural curve of roof-6' from my desk...
I think that would be a great option, especially given the lack of a sunroof option. I'm surprised that Ford hasn't done this already, given that it doesn't seem too difficult to do as evidenced by the fact that about upteen aftermarket companies have been doing it forever. Can't imagine it would take that much engineering or investment, especially compared to a regular sun roof. I don't think it would overlap or compete with the convertable too much either. And retaining pretty much all the underlying roof structure, there won't be any real degradation of chassis stiffness or integrity as with a T-top or Targa roof.
Not at all sure how it might ruin the Mustang's "muscle car" image, whatever that is (isn't the Mustang a "Pony Car" anyways, as distinct from a muscle car?). It certainly wouldn't compromise performance nearly as much as a heavier, more complex and more willowy-chassied convertable and is certainly less cushiness oriented than, say, an effete air conditioner or artsy fartsy CD radio.
With the Camaro and Challenger soon to be on the scene, I think Ford's going to have to really get on the ball a lot more than in the past few cushy one-car-market-segment days to stay competitive. Cheesy tack-on ornaments, lick-n-stick stripes and easy reaches into the FFRP catalog won't be nearly enough to fend off some real competition.
Not at all sure how it might ruin the Mustang's "muscle car" image, whatever that is (isn't the Mustang a "Pony Car" anyways, as distinct from a muscle car?). It certainly wouldn't compromise performance nearly as much as a heavier, more complex and more willowy-chassied convertable and is certainly less cushiness oriented than, say, an effete air conditioner or artsy fartsy CD radio.
With the Camaro and Challenger soon to be on the scene, I think Ford's going to have to really get on the ball a lot more than in the past few cushy one-car-market-segment days to stay competitive. Cheesy tack-on ornaments, lick-n-stick stripes and easy reaches into the FFRP catalog won't be nearly enough to fend off some real competition.
Here's the glassback trim issues. I have sold 6 like this and have seen a dozen go through here. From the inside it's beautiful, and most people don't complain about the trim but they all end up like this.
Pics 1 and 2: Header trim is straight and does not compensate for the curvature of the window-trim always pulls from the corners. Pic 4: Outer edges that meet in the rain channel flatten slightly to correct for the added height, and looks awkward, and Pic 3 the rear trim is clumsy. This has the 2nd gen trim. Not to bash it much, but the devil is in the details.
Overall engineering is excellent and the interior trimwork is perfect. Some of it can't be avoided, but if they would just fix the front friggin trim piece, all would be good.
I've sold three 281E's with glass roofs and you can not tell its glass unless you look through it-its a dead even match for the roof skin. The reference to the Edge is that in scale use on production cars, it could be a $800 option from the factory, would probably hover around $1000 if they did it though, and make a killing even at 750. The TC comes with the sliding glass roof even on the $17k bottom-of-the-barrel version. 15' from where I sit:
Pics 1 and 2: Header trim is straight and does not compensate for the curvature of the window-trim always pulls from the corners. Pic 4: Outer edges that meet in the rain channel flatten slightly to correct for the added height, and looks awkward, and Pic 3 the rear trim is clumsy. This has the 2nd gen trim. Not to bash it much, but the devil is in the details.
Overall engineering is excellent and the interior trimwork is perfect. Some of it can't be avoided, but if they would just fix the front friggin trim piece, all would be good.
I've sold three 281E's with glass roofs and you can not tell its glass unless you look through it-its a dead even match for the roof skin. The reference to the Edge is that in scale use on production cars, it could be a $800 option from the factory, would probably hover around $1000 if they did it though, and make a killing even at 750. The TC comes with the sliding glass roof even on the $17k bottom-of-the-barrel version. 15' from where I sit:
Thanks.
Cobra Member
Joined: October 9, 2004
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
Team Mustang Source
Joined: January 29, 2004
Posts: 6,730
Likes: 3
Its the CDC. Very well engineered product overall, but look at the header trim, there is no curve to it. The trim was fine but finally came down from the corners as it's forced to hold a curve with only glue to hold it. Yes, the Saleen product is amazing. Barrett could put up a pic of his(hint hint)...
Cobra Member
Joined: October 9, 2004
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
Its the CDC. Very well engineered product overall, but look at the header trim, there is no curve to it. The trim was fine but finally came down from the corners as it's forced to hold a curve with only glue to hold it. Yes, the Saleen product is amazing. Barrett could put up a pic of his(hint hint)...
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Cobra Member
Joined: October 9, 2004
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
so I drove my dads car the other day...(has dealer instaled sun roof.)...and it was really sunny....I was getting a glare of my glasses from the sunlght comming in through the glass...and its even tinted...so I closed the cover and it was much better. I then thought about this thread. I felt lucky that I could shade myself from the bright sun, but with an all glass roof with no "curtains"...it might suck on sunny days....reguardless of how hot it is.
Cobra Member
Joined: October 9, 2004
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
Cobra Member
Joined: October 9, 2004
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
Oh, sorry. You started with this gem:
Then followed it up with these intense topical nuggets:
Who's off topic here? 
I had already offered post #'s 16, 29, 30, 36, 38, 42, 85, and 87 before you offered your humble "opinion". Have you even read this thread? It would appear by your misinformed responses that you have not...
Be prepared to defend yourself when attacking others.
Any further off-topic discussion?
Then followed it up with these intense topical nuggets:
I had already offered post #'s 16, 29, 30, 36, 38, 42, 85, and 87 before you offered your humble "opinion". Have you even read this thread? It would appear by your misinformed responses that you have not...
Be prepared to defend yourself when attacking others.
Any further off-topic discussion?