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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