ARO pattern 331 ©  "A" body   1963-64 Plymouth Valiant, Signet

Purchased 8/29/03. Warranty request 09/18/03

Customer complained that the top "tore when folding the frame down" during installation. Claimed "defective materials". We suggested that the Customer take pictures of the top on the car & requested that the top be returned for examination and/or replacement. Customer was not happy to have the car tied up for additional time to get the top back to us, but without the "defective" product in our hands for examination we would not send a replacement part. Upon receipt of the top we found:

1. Top is torn on drivers side quarter - see photo #1.
2. Top was unevenly installed from side to side- see bolt holes punched through lower side quarters (photo #2).
3. Installer improperly installed side quarters totally UNDER the chrome moldings, with excess trimmed partially off. (photo #3)
4. The top is designed to be installed up to a certain point under the chrome, with the excess flap to extend behind the body panel & down into the top well area - see photo #4.
5. Top tore due to having no "open" area to allow the top to fold down AS ORIGINALLY INTENDED.

Determination - This is not a valid warranty claim. The replacement top was sent out C.O.D. Customer was not happy about having to pay for the new top & claimed "would never buy another top from us again in the future". While examining the photos he took, after careful explanation of the correct installation procedure & the need for the "open" area of material, Customer understood the cause of the problem. Customer admitted that there had been "no top on the car when it came in, chrome trim & other top frame parts were from another junker". Customer was satisfied with the outcome & paid for new top 10/13/03.

Note: We are responsible for our product only. We cannot be held responsible for improper installation which results in damage to our product. This is an example why we request that any product, for which a claim is being made, must be returned for our examination. We suggest photos be taken prior to removing the defective product - for the customers protection as well as ours.

Photo #1 Drivers side quarter -note height of bolt holes & uneven line of holes.

photo #2 - Passenger side - note how much lower the bolt holes for the chrome trim are in comparison to drivers side. There is barely any material to be held by the bolts.  (Note: All of our patterns are symmetrical - there should be an equal amount of excess cut from each side when properly installed.)

photo #3 Drivers quarter. Note vertical tear at end of chrome trim (not shown). Dangling flap (shown here) should not be trimmed as in photo. Correct cut should be approx 1"-1 1/2" or as necessary in a vertical cut extending from the straight vertical edge.

photo #4 Untrimmed Passenger side. Though improperly installed shows the lower quarter intact & the point at which the top should not be installed under the chrome trim.