The Classic Ford Parts Niche and Americana

1941-48 Ford & Mercury Convertible Top & Sun Visor Brackets When you're restoring a 1941-48 Ford or Mercury convertible, some parts disappear beneath upholstery, carpet or sheet metal when the job is finished. The hardware across the windshield header isn't one of them. Every time you sit behind the wheel, lower a sun visor or secure the convertible top, this hardware is right there in front of you. Worn, pitted or mismatched header hardware can stand out on an otherwise beautifully restored interior. That's why this week's C&G Ford Parts special is worth a closer look: our 1941-48 Ford & Mercury Sun Visor & Header Bracket Kit, part number 11A-7604144-K. Regularly $681.99, it's on sale through September 23, 2026 for just $379.95. More Than Just Sun Visor Brackets Don't let the words sun visor fool you. This isn't simply a pair of brackets for hanging the visors. The 11A-7604144-K kit includes the center top latch bracket plus right- and left-hand corner latch brackets with the sun visor frames installed. All three assemblies mount along the windshield header. Your own upholstered sun visor panels are then fitted to the supplied frames. That makes these pieces part of two very visible systems on the car: the hardware associated with securing the convertible top at the windshield header and the sun visor assemblies inside the passenger compartment. And on a convertible, that's prime real estate. Why Windshield Header Hardware Matters A convertible presents a restoration challenge that a closed car doesn't. There's no permanent steel roof extending over the passenger compartment. The folding top has to meet the windshield header, and hardware in this area helps secure the top when it's raised. At the same time, the interior side of the header carries the sun visor assemblies. So these aren't pieces that simply disappear once installation is complete. They're visible. If you've spent countless hours getting the dashboard, garnish moldings, upholstery and convertible top looking right, badly pitted or mismatched hardware above the windshield can become the proverbial sore thumb. A coordinated replacement set gives that entire area a clean, consistent appearance. One Kit Instead of Chasing Individual Pieces Anyone who's restored a Ford or Mercury that's approaching 80 years old knows how this story goes. Finding the big parts can sometimes be easier than finding all the little pieces that were originally attached to them. Convertible-specific hardware may have been removed decades ago. Pieces get lost. Visor frames get bent. Brackets become pitted or damaged. Previous owners substitute whatever they could find. And occasionally there's a coffee can somewhere containing two screws, one mystery spring and absolutely none of the parts you actually need. That's old-car restoration. Convertible Top Hold-Down Latches — 11A-7603522-K See 11A-7603522-K Convertible Top Hold-Down Latches This set of three stainless convertible top hold-down latches includes the center mounting bracket and is designed for 1941–48 Ford and Mercury convertible applications, with additional Sportsman applications listed by C&G. These are the working pieces that help hold the convertible top securely at the windshield header. The 11A-7604144-K kit eliminates much of that hunt by supplying the center bracket and both corner brackets together, with the RH and LH sun visor frames already installed. The kit also includes the stainless mounting hardware and installation screws needed for the assembly. Stainless Steel Where You Can See It This kit is manufactured from stainless steel, an especially useful material for components mounted around the windshield header of a convertible. Besides providing a clean finished appearance, stainless steel offers excellent resistance to corrosion - valuable on hardware associated with a folding top and an area of the car that may encounter moisture over its lifetime. More importantly for the restorer, you're replacing the major visible pieces across the header as a coordinated set rather than trying to make several old components of different condition look like they belong together. What Does 11A-7604144-K Fit? The kit is intended for 1941-48 Ford and Mercury convertible applications. Because many of these cars have passed through numerous owners and restorations over the last eight decades, it's always smart to compare your existing hardware and confirm the application before installation. If you're uncertain whether 11A-7604144-K is correct for your Ford or Mercury, give C&G a call. We've been helping people keep old Fords on the road since 1978, and technical help from somebody who actually knows these cars is still part of the deal.   While You're Working Around the Windshield Header… If you're already restoring the sun visor and convertible-top hardware around the windshield, it's a good time to inspect the other pieces that make up this area. Seals harden, latches wear and small pieces disappear over the decades. Taking care of them while you're already working around the header can save another round of disassembly later. Convertible Windshield Header Seal — 11A-7651312 See 11A-7651312 Windshield Header Seal Don't confuse this one with 11A-7651330. 11A-7651312 installs on top of the windshield, providing the corresponding seal at the windshield-header area. C&G lists applications for 1941–48 Ford Convertibles, 1946–48 Ford Sportsman models and 1941–48 Mercury Convertibles. Convertible Header Bow Seal — 11A-7651330 See 11A-7651330 Header Bow Seal Here's one of those little pieces that can make a big difference when you're putting a convertible top back together. 11A-7651330 mounts to the top bow and C&G lists applications for 1941–48 Ford Convertibles, 1946–48 Ford Sportsman models and 1941–48 Mercury Convertibles. Windshield Header Antenna Hole Plug — 11A-7603454-R See 11A-7603454-R Windshield Header Antenna Hole Plug And then there's the kind of part that can drive a restorer nuts: the little piece that's missing. The 11A-7603454-R is the antenna-hole plug for the windshield header and C&G lists applications for 1941–48 Ford Convertibles, 1946–48 Ford Sportsman models and 1941–48 Mercury Convertibles. And now for the part your restoration budget will appreciate. This Week Only: Save $302.04 Regular Price: $681.99 C&G Weekly Special: $379.95 YOU SAVE: $302.04 That's more than three hundred bucks left in the restoration fund for the next item on the list. And if you own an old Ford, we both know there's always another item on the list. The special price runs through September 23, 2026, while supplies last. Part Number 11A-7604144-K Description Sun Visor & Header Bracket Kit - Stainless Application 1941-48 Ford & Mercury Convertibles Regular Price $681.99 Sale Price $379.95 Savings $302.04 Restore one of the most visible areas of your convertible and save more than $300 while you're doing it. SHOP THE $379.95 SPECIAL

Old Ford pick-up trucks have carved their place in automotive history, transcending generations with their enduring charm and unparalleled utility. These iconic vehicles, produced from the 1930s to the late 1970s, have a rich legacy that continues to capture the hearts of enthusiasts and collectors today. Versatility Beyond Compare: One of the key reasons why old Ford pick-up trucks remain beloved is their sheer versatility. Whether it's the robust F100, the iconic F150, or the workhorse F250, these trucks were designed to handle tough tasks. From farm work to construction sites, they've been the backbone of American labor for decades. Classic Design That Turns Heads: The timeless design of these trucks is nothing short of legendary. With their distinctive combination of front grilles, headlights, and bold lettering, they exude a sense of nostalgia that's hard to replicate. Restoring and showcasing these vehicles at car shows is a popular hobby among enthusiasts, and it's no wonder – the sight of a beautifully restored old Ford pick-up truck is a showstopper. A Connection to the Past: Owning and driving an old Ford pick-up truck is like stepping back in time. These vehicles carry with them the stories of countless adventures, road trips, and hard work. Many families have passed down their beloved Ford trucks from one generation to the next, making them cherished heirlooms. Endless Customization: Enthusiasts have embraced the art of customization, turning old Ford pick-up trucks into unique creations. From hot rods to custom paint jobs, the possibilities are endless. Restoring and personalizing these trucks has become a thriving subculture in the automotive world. In conclusion, old Ford pick-up trucks are more than just vehicles; they're a symbol of American history, hard work, and ingenuity. Their enduring appeal and unmatched utility ensure that they will remain beloved classics for generations to come.

Since you buy all your classic Ford parts from us, we thought we would enlighten you to a product that you might find useful! Let’s say you’re cruising around town in your Classic Ford… you’re reveling in the number of folks you see looking at your ride (yes your car, not you anymore). You roll to a stop easily and decide to turn the corner and drive down Main Street to see if any of your buddies have made it to the Burger Barn. Suddenly, you feel “clunk” and you KNOW the old Ford didn’t come that way from the factory, so you begin to wonder “Hmmm, what could the old girl need now?”Finishing the cruise you head home and call it a night. Next day you’re up and at ‘em, headed out to the garage. You whizz past your wife in your grubby's and wonder for a moment why she has a big grin on her face, “Oh well, she musta been on the phone” you figure. With a big grin on your face and a wave to the wife, you whistle out loud as you head out the door thinking, “I’ll be at this most of the day” After organizing your tool box and getting everything ready for troubleshooting you begin to diagnose what could be ailing your “baby”. After troubleshooting for a while, you begin to realize that the bushing in the upper steering tube has worn out. It turned to rock and the steering shaft is wobbling around in the tube causing the clunk you felt last night. “Well, that’s a relief” you gush, “I don’t need to tear apart the front end!” “I wonder if Ford has a warranty recall on those” you chuckle to yourself as you pull your dog eared copy of your trusty C&G Ford Parts catalog off the shelf. You see that there is a replacement rubber upper bushing that often gets worn out over the years. “Just what I need” you think. “Hold the phone, what’s this?” you spot a new- fangled “kit” that only C&G has! This Upper Steering tube bearing kit includes bearing, spring, and bushing sleeve that replaces the original rubber bushing for a longer lasting, easier turning, tight fit. The kit includes a diagram to show you exactly where to install the parts, and in it what order. “Excellent” you whistle. So you pick up the phone, call C&G and after speaking to some friendly and knowledgeable parts folk, you have your kit on the way. A couple days later, your classic Ford parts show up and you’re ready to install the new B-3517-K kit you ordered. Remove the steering wheel. Remove original rubber bushing from over worm shaft. Install in this order- bearing , sleeve , spring. Make sure the tapered ends are facing down on both bearing and sleeve, drive the bearing down the worm shaft about 3/4" with a large socket, then let sleeve follow. Finally, put spring over worm shaft, in-between the sleeve and the steering wheel. Put steering wheel back on and tighten down the steering nut. No more play in the upper part of the column! Steering Tube Bearing Kit B-3517-K