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The Ford Mustang’s Short-Lived Towne Top

May 20, 2014 By Naseem Muaddi 26 Comments

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Ford Mustang Towne Tops

Removable hardtops are readily available for late-model Ford Mustangs. But did you know that detachable roofs date as far back as the pony’s debut in 1964?

Upon Ford Motor Company‘s introduction of the Mustang, Dory Development Co. of New York began manufacturing removable hardtops for the convertible models. The detachable roof was marketed to Ford dealerships as a safe and practical way to protect soft tops from harsh weather.

The Towne Top, as it was known, was constructed of fiberglass and upholstered in your choice of tan or black double-seam vinyl. From the inside, it was finished with a headliner, sail panels, and even an optional dome light. Weighing in at around 85 lbs, the detachable roof required at least two people to install or remove it.

Unfortunately, the Towne Top was discontinued in 1966 due to a lack of demand. Priced at $298, Mustang owners felt it was too expensive and didn’t offer much in the way of value.

With only three known to exist today, these tops are considered to be extremely rare and most definitely a collector’s item.

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Ford Mustang Towne Tops

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Ford Mustang Towne Tops

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Ford Mustang Towne Tops

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Ford Mustang Towne Tops

 

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Ford Mustang Towne Tops

Filed Under: Archive, Industry History Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Dory Development Co., Ford Mustang, Hardtop Convertible, Towne Top

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. doug says

    May 28, 2014 at 10:43 pm

    Those tops are rare we have a 66 Mustang convertible in process of restoration that is one of the original recipients of the Town Top it is a red 66 from the east coast. Now at our shop in Lincoln, Nebraska

    Reply
  2. malcolm says

    May 5, 2015 at 7:27 am

    I think i may have one of these towne tops that came with my 66 Mustang When i bought it,can anyone give me more information on them. Not sure if its original or a repo.

    Reply
  3. R. A. Miller says

    October 9, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    I have Townes top that I took to have vinyl top replaced. The screwed it up and thru away the chrome trim. Is there anyone who could do restoration for me?
    Thanks,
    Bob

    Reply
  4. David says

    October 10, 2015 at 10:32 pm

    Must be more than three I found two in one week of looking and bought one of them. Has extra set of NOS side logo trim.
    David

    Reply
  5. David says

    December 13, 2015 at 4:48 pm

    I went and picked up the top a white one that is ready to go on no restore needed. He had two sets of NOS side emblems, an original brochure that takes the top off and on when you open it. Tons of info for replacement pieces and probably 50 pictures of other tops.
    Then the guy with the other one calls and wants $750 for a basket case that you would never find the missing pieces for. It was black and had the stainless trim across the top in the rear.
    So maybe there are more of these than one might think if I found two in a couple weeks of looking.
    David

    Reply
  6. David says

    January 15, 2016 at 2:36 pm

    I purchased another of the towne tops this one is the black with the stainless strip across the rear of the top. The vinyl is not seamed like in the picture here it is one piece back to the stainless strip and then another piece from the stainless down the the trunk. Is the serial number the number stamped on the aluminum strip inside at the front passenger side? There seems to be more of these than first thought. There was a tag inside under the headliner that had #13 written on it?
    Any information helps.
    David

    Reply
  7. DALLAS says

    May 17, 2016 at 7:10 pm

    Hello,
    I am looking for a “Towne top” for my convertible Mustang 1964 1/2. If someone could find and sell one in good shape to me, I shall be very happy…
    Thanks in advance
    Rick

    Reply
    • Steve says

      January 31, 2018 at 3:15 pm

      Hi Dallas, please let me know if you are still looking for a Towne Top. I have one with all the trim, glass and gasket.

      Thanks,
      Steve
      971-645-9466

      Reply
  8. Barry Haines says

    March 20, 2017 at 10:38 pm

    I have a town top possibly up for sale here in Florida..white on white, total original, needs to be cleaned up and restored( just old looking, no damage) I can dye it as I own a restoration shop…or fully restore with new vinyl, seals etc.. Also have the hard to find pulleys for hanging in the garage ceiling..

    Reply
    • Ms. Wood says

      August 12, 2019 at 2:38 am

      Is it still for sale?
      Please call or text back.
      Mrs. Wood
      (469) 535 – 1652
      In Texas

      Reply
  9. Steve says

    January 31, 2018 at 3:13 pm

    I have a top that I would sell. It has all the trim and the gasket that goes around the bottom. If anyone is interested, please let me know.

    Thanks,
    Steve

    Reply
    • Billy Flowers says

      November 10, 2018 at 5:49 pm

      do you still have the top? will it fit a 1967 mustang?

      Reply
    • Billy Flowers says

      November 10, 2018 at 5:50 pm

      ph 469 243 3004

      Reply
    • Darrel Griffith says

      June 30, 2019 at 6:43 pm

      1965 mustang

      Reply
  10. Jim says

    February 16, 2019 at 8:41 pm

    I have a 64 1/2 Mustang convertible with a town top. Both are in excellent condition and will sell them together or separately.
    Jim
    7178602143

    Reply
    • Tim Anderson says

      February 3, 2020 at 9:18 pm

      How much for the Towne Top?

      (7o5) 834-8142

      Reply
  11. Mark Hermann says

    March 18, 2019 at 4:02 pm

    Ok, I purchased a Towne Top that does not have the vinyl on top or headliner installed. The fiberglass is in great shape but my question is this. The underside has wood framing that the fiberglass is attached. Does everyone elses have wood on the underside under their headliners?? Was this the proto-type for the Towne Top?

    I have the Towne top side emblems and all the chrome and rubber molding for it.

    It is just odd that the top would have wood framing under the fiberglass? for support I suppose?

    Thanks
    Mark out of Oregon (916) 873-4522

    Reply
  12. Frank Bosnyak says

    March 8, 2020 at 4:07 am

    Hello, I am looking for a Towne Top in either condition,, good or bad. I would make a mold if it is a bad one as I dont have the heart to make a mold of a ggod one. Would pay shipping to Hibbing MN. Many thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • Robert Parisi says

      July 9, 2020 at 3:44 pm

      We have one in Connecticut it is $2500.00 If interested I can provide pictures. If you indeed do want to see it you can email us at connecticutmustang.com

      Reply
  13. Rick Kingham says

    April 2, 2020 at 11:44 pm

    My father purchased one of the first 64 1/2 convertible mustang’s in Union County Ohio. He was approached by a company in Columbus Ohio soon after buying it to use his car to make a proto type hardtop for it. They paid my dad $100 to use his car to make the top. Unfortunately he cannot remember the company name that did the proto type work. Could Towne Top have a shop in Columbus or were there other companies trying to capitalize on the idea, thus making more of them than what we know.

    Reply
  14. Craig Donnelly says

    June 19, 2020 at 6:24 pm

    I’m after a towne top for my 67 convertible is there any for sale or can I get one built new and what sort of money are they priced at

    Reply
    • Robert Parisi says

      July 9, 2020 at 3:41 pm

      We have one in Connecticut for sale for $2500.00 if interested you can email us at connecticutmustang@aol.com. If you are indeed interested I can provide photos. Have a great day.
      Bob
      Owner of CT Mustang

      Reply
      • Craig Donnelly says

        July 13, 2020 at 2:30 am

        can you send me a picture of it pkease

        Reply
        • Craig Donnelly says

          July 13, 2020 at 2:35 am

          craigsdonnelly@bigpond.com

          Reply
      • Craig Donnelly says

        August 3, 2020 at 9:30 pm

        Robert parisi could you please send me some photos of the towne top you have thanks Craig donnelly or forward to my email at craigsdonnelly@bigpond.com

        Reply
  15. Malcolm Loeser says

    May 27, 2021 at 6:59 am

    I have one of these rare tops that came with the convertible that i bought in Australia ,the car was Ivy green Metallic 66 convert originally from South Carolina as the rego sticker said, Towne top badges were still on it with no vinyl roof. there are marks across the back where i believe the aluminium strip went, no ID number has been found though, the car was imported to Australi in 2009 i believe and I have restore the car to its former Glory and now working on the removable roof. would love to hear about any others out there who have photos of these rare tops.

    Reply

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