The Icelandic Mustang Club

Headliner Bow Position

There are a total of 4 headliner bows on 1964-1968 coupes. The bows are originally color coded. If the colors are still on the bows, arrange the red in the 1, 2 and 3 positions. The blue bow goes in the rear. If the colors have worn off, you can tell them apart by the bow style. The front three are the same and the rear bow is different than the others.

Headliner Installation

1. Lay your new headliner in the sun and allow it to soften or spread it out at room temperature (this will allow the box wrinkles to smooth out and make it more workable).

2. Remove the rear cushion, rear backrest, both rear quarter panels and the package tray. On the 1965 and 1966, remove the two metal ends at the upper windshield post. On the 1967 and later, remove the padded windshield post. Remove both sunvisors, rearview mirror bracket and the coat hangers on either side. On the 1967 and later, remove the center dome light.

3. Insert the screws only, back in their original holes for the sunvisors, rearview mirror bracket and coat hangers so they can be located after the headliner is installed.

4. The original headliner was installed before the windshield and rear window were put in at the factory. In order to install the headliner like the original, it is recommended that you remove the rear window and windshield.

5. Remove the snap-on windlace and pull the headliner away from either side. Remove the headliner from the front and rear lip under the rubber. Mark the holes that the bows are in. Starting at the front, move the headliner toward the rear of the car and remove the bows holding the headliner in place.

6. You will note that the last bow is held in place by two wire clips. Remove the two clips from the last bow and take the headliner out of the car. Before removing the bows from the headliner, number them from front to rear. Remove the bows and install the new headliner. Starting at the rear of the car, install the rear bow first and hook the two wire clips to it to prevent it from moving forward. Next, continue installing the bows working your way forward until all the bows are in place.

7. Now you are ready to start gluing. Start by gluing the front lip at the windshield. Glue both surfaces and allow to dry completely. Pull the headliner forward in the center and glue right above the rearview mirror first. Pull both corners at the sunvisors forward and glue in place. Be sure to pull the headliner nice and tight. The two wire clips in the rear will prevent it from coming too far forward. After the front is in place, glue the opening around the rear window area in place. Glue the ¼ inch lip above the door and quarter windows on both sides and allow to dry. Starting at the front, pull the headliner snugly from side to side at the seams until the wrinkles come out.

8. When the headliner is completely glued in place, trim the excess material ½ inch away from the metal edge, glue the headliner and the lip and fold the headliner over the edge. In the rear corners where the headliner meets the package tray, install the two cardboard strips and slit the headliner to allow the front half to catch the prongs in the front of the package tray.

9. Locate the screws for the sunvisors, rearview mirror, and coat hanger. Cut a tiny hole and remove the screws. Replace the sunvisors, rearview mirror and coat hangers. On 1967 and later, cut out the dome light hole and replace the dome light. On 1965 and 1966, install the two upper windshield post metal ends. Replace the package tray, front and rear windows, rear quarters, rear seat and backrest, and your headliner is complete.