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The latch is mounted just inside the door, I took the picture of the passenger side. If you look close you can see the door opening. It is mounted about two inches from the top just behind the seat near the door. It is rivited, a simple task. If I had known of the other types I may have changed my mind simply on the latches. I am not impressed with them.
Jim, Who is the maker of your top? Is it 2 piece, it looks to be all one in the photo. Does it sit on top or tuck into the deck area? Thanks so much for posting all the beautiful pictures.
Didn't one or more of the former owners of Kustomotive start 'Thunderbird Concepts?' I recall meeting someone named Aaron Scott at the 2002 SEMA show. At the time his company was called 'Kinship International Marketing' or something like that. He mentioned that his uncle, Denny Locandro, was the designer of the tonneau cover that looks like the same, or similar one that Thunderbird Concepts now offers. Also, he showed me a photo of a new T-Bird with the 'Half-Moon' fender skirts, that I think Thunderbird Concepts also sells.
I have spoken with several Thunderbird owners who had paid orders with Kustomotive2000, but never received their products. I heard they sort of disappeared, but were based in Nevada, maybe the Las Vegas area. Shortly after Kustomotive stopped doing business, a company called 'Hot Chariots' started offering a two-piece tonneau cover and half skirts for the new T-Bird. Then, Thunderbird Concepts started business. As I recall, Aaron Scott's company was located in or near the San Diego, California area.
Any TBN members out there know the lineage/connection of these outfits?
Thunder Concepts, I don't think so Phil. I know that Denny one of the partners of Kustomotive 2000 started Hot Chariots. Maybe that's what you were thinking of.
Here are some Thunderbird Concepts Tonneau pictures from the front view. We deliver our tonneau sanded and prepared for your local painter to match your tbirds color. Also, you don't have to drill or modify your bird in any way! We wanted a Tonneau that would be simple yet functional as well as aesthetically pleasing.
LA Phil,
How have you been? Hope all is well! To answer your questions, we did try to sell the "Kustomotive2000" products back when we met at the SEMA show, but no longer offer or sell their products because they are no longer in business. Kustomotive2000 was a completely separate entity that sold their own products not affiliated with Thunderbird Concepts and I believe that Dennis from Kustomotive2000 is now working with Hot Chariots. We still refer people to them for their fender skirts! They look pretty nice.
I have a Thunderbird Concepts 2-pc hard cover and I need the foam tape for around the sides and the center. I had it repainted and now I have to replace the foam tape.
Can you tell me where to purchase it ?
Mike & Jana Med. Steel Blue/Med. Steel Blue/Partial Blue 1of 253 Built 8/25/04
They are two piece, and do tuck under the body edge. They are done by Gary Kimmel, he is here on TBN. I did not purchase them from him new, but I did get them from another member of TBN who did. I like them a lot and have only had them off once sense I got them. They are still on now and I know that the cold wether will force me into it. But till then It is still top down for me.
Jim
_______________________________________ TBN Badge and Lots of "TLC"
Thanks for the info. Just got back from SEMA 2005, and sad to report, nothing new for the 2002-2005 Thunderbird. Seems no one is interested in a 'discontinued' vehicle. Such is life.
I met Aaron at the 2002 SEMA show, and the brochure/catalog sheet he gave me showed Denny Locandro as the designer of the 2-piece tonneau cover, half-moon skirts, and 'eyebrows' for the new Thunderbird. Aaron's card was a company called 'Kinship International Distributors' or something like that, can't remember exactly. Anyway, Denny Locandro was working at/for Hot Chariots as of last November, so I was just wondering what the connection was.
Phil.....so the torneau will fit on the hard top rack together with the hard top? I guess the cover can not fit on both right?
Also.....this rack for the trunk you said is coming out soon? That will hold the torneau cover in the trunk? I am a little confused. You will not be able to close the trunk though right because of the waterfall pieces.
I am just thinking out loud here. Assuming you can not close the trunk with this 'rack' youre talking about, I would have to figure out a way to live with the torneau on most of the time. At night, I guess I could just throw the car cover on if its garaged. And in the daytime, I could put the dust cover on if I am parked for a length of time. Hmmmmmm...........
Originally posted by LA PHIL
Hi All,
8. Our tonneau will 'nest' in the hardtop rack when not in use, at the same time the hardtop is on it. One rack holds both.
A few drawbacks:
Also, we will soon be offering a removable 'luggage/storage' rack that will fit into the trunk, and can carry the tonneau cover and allow use of the softtop. It also will double as a storage rack for oversized luggage, golf clubs, skis, or large packages. No permanent installation needed. No cutting or drilling either.
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