We stripped the convertible top frame and I now need to decide on my header bow. It is not bad over all but one corner has some rot in it. We sand blasted it so we can see all the holes. The welder feels like it is fixable but I was wondering about the reproduction header out there. Thought maybe I should go that route but was wondering if anyone had any issues with the repop header. I've heard of a few complaints but not many.

What says you?

I bought a repop one for my '67 a number of years back, but never got around to replacing it. So I have an xtra one if anyone needs one. From what I recall reading back then, they fit well.

(but no first-hand knowledge as I didn't replace)

If the damage is not too bad, I'd recommend fixing your original.

The rot out is not to awful bad but the little triangle hold downs that hold the tack strip, several of those are rotted off and will need to be fixed. Looks like a very time consuming job.

My repro does not fit properly and has the wrong finish.

There he goes getting personal again!

fix the originals...I didnt...and threw the old out...wish I had fixed them, fit on repops are bad.

Hmmm, my repop fit great. The only issue, and it's very minor, was the interior pinchweld flange. The flange width isn't as consistent as it could be along its length. Fortunately, there is a piece of trim that covers the flange, but it is still noticeable if you look for it. I may dremel it someday, but then again maybe not. I'm trying to learn to live with minor imperfections.

Flame away but I fixed the rust on the corner of my top's header bow eight years ago with POR15 and their epoxy putty which hardens like a rock. At some point I hope to replace the top again if I can find a good local shop. At that point, if after pulling back the material I see that the POR didn't hold up, I'll replace the entire bow.

In a related subject, I still hold out hope that sometime a good robust '68 "brushed" windshield header chrome is reproduced or a couple reasonable NOS fall into my hands.

The way Gus is buying up '68 NOS parts, there won't be ANY left in North America in a couple more months.

How bad are the current repop windshield header chrome pieces? I had to buy a pair of those too. The ones I had were repops and were already pitted. Whoever put those on put the polished ones on instead of the brushed.

Compulsive hoarding behavior probably would apply to NOS 1st Gen parts.

Unless they have come up with a new process, the "brushed" appears to be nothing but a coat of dull paint on the chromed version. A few years ago I purchased a pair of the repros and sent them back the next day. They arrived with the paint already scratched up. It appeared that even a slight rubbing would remove the paint. I surmised that they had been cycled out to other customers and sent back when they didn't like them.

I believe what didn't get scratched off while they get wrestled into place would get worn off as the top seats itself down and sits on the molding while driving.

I talked to the manufacturer and they implied that they couldn't use the old process the factory used to apply the brushed look.

More likely didn't want to 'bother' getting it right.

You gottit Pontiac! Almost got a pair. Onez out there for a bazillion$$

US or Canadian? That's just .94 bazillion US.

I put a set in about 15 yrs back and it is now pitted and some rust. I should've kept the originals and had them rechromed.
My header bow is original and so far no rust, top needs to be replaced though, it's been on the car 20yrs now, amazingly the window isn't fogged up and only have 2 1 inch cracks in top.

I've seen some OEM or restored headers for about 850. But considering the repops are <120 it's hard to justify the 850 right now.

better make it batrillion now...

I wonder if the header bow was media blasted to etch the surface and remove the chrome (masked areas only) would help keep the paint on them? Has anyone tried this?

I kept my originals but I have a inch wide circle on one that is rusted (not thru). Thought I may need to have this repaired and chrome plated if the repops are really that bad?

Thanks.

I just had mine refinished. They media blasted mine right before the final chrome layer. They do a 3 layer process. so copper, nickel, bead blast then chrome. Still not 100% like original but close.

He is the thread on it with some pics.. https://firstgenfirebird.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=292659&page=2