88 Convertible Questions

[WhiteThunder]

I ran into a problem I didn't expect while stripping my interior to restore the car. The back piece below the rear 1/4 windows can't be removed without the top down as there are screws holding the panels on at the very back under one of the convertible structure bars. Problem is, it needs a new top as the entire back window is hanging by the button straps and it has tears in it so I'm afraid to put the top down because I don't want to tear it any worse.

Now onto to the questions. Would any of you think it would hurt the top to put it down so I could get to this piece? I will eventually have to take the top off completely when it gets painted to have a new one put on after. I just don't want to mess it up as I don't have a garage to keep the car in while it's in its transition phases.

Would the top need to come off to get to the hard to reach areas when I put a coating (unsure which type) on the inner shell?

The last question is one that's a bit scary. When I pull the rear interior panels I mentioned earlier out from the body I can see into the shell. There are tons of leaves and everything else from where the car sat for so long uncovered with a busted top and I'm worried I will find alot of rust that I can't get to. Is that a fully covered area or will I have room to get in there and remove any rust I find?

Any help you all can give would be appreciated, I'm just trying to do all my homework before I jump into a resto and hit the wall.

 

[stykthyn]

if the top is already screwed why worry about it? put it down, do what you need to do and put the top back up. maybe pull a tarp over the car while you are not using it.
I would also get all those leaves out. they will hold moisture and then you really will have rust problems.

 

[WhiteThunder]

You have a point. I have a car cover for it, its just the thought in the back of my mind that if water somehow got in it could really mess with the wiring. I'll just put the top down and hope for the best as I really need to get those leaves out and those panels off. Thanks Stykthyn.

Anybody else know how much work room I'll have in those side panels to remove rust? I know there's some in there.