In preparation for getting the headliner fabric installed, I had to fabricate a few panels to hide the side window pockets and thus smooth the surface for the headliner. On the GTO, the side window frames are located within an inset pocket so the outside of the frame is flush with the surrounding body surface. The pocket is about an inch deep.
In addition, I wanted the headliner to cover the area above the rear wheels from the rear window sides down to the interior panels covering the wheel houses.
I didn’t think I could get a single panel installed around the roll cage so I did it in two panels shaped in 3003 .040 aluminum.
The panel above the side window meets the roof above the roll cage which should hide any seam.
The panel in the rear hides the rivets for the panel below it and provides a nice finish line between the headliner and interior.
Just installing these panels really cleans up the interior. Now the GTO is going off to the upholstery shop to get the headliner itself installed.