From reading these messages, I'm wondering if maybe the stainless inserts that were optional equipment were spot welded because it was less expensive than using a LeBaron roof.
I haven't compared them up close and personal, but I've worked at a fab shop and learned few things (not much, since I worked in the office). My question is that if this was standard on the LeBaron, was the stainless in the back a separate piece from the front part of the roof, thereby requiring the metal to be thick enough to support the roof, i.e., the front and rear portions of the roof were stamped separately, then put together? On the Crowns and Customs, they could have taken a standard roof Crown/Custom roof, used much thinner stainless and applied it for appearance only.
I think the dealer installation idea is good, too. A buyer finds the car they want, but they want the stainless partial roof, so the dealer sells them the car and has it applied himself, thereby selling his own inventory and not having to place a special order with the factory.
Just some ideas on what they might have done, but, like I said, I haven't been able to compare them up close.
Timothy
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