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Used to be the Top Cats were the ones to get...that's old info now. In the last year or two, First Place came out with a new line that is even better than the Top Cats.

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Wow....thats good to hear. I'm doing my Coronet, and was about to order some Top Cats...
Thanks to the original poster on this thread...I thought Top Cat were the only ones!

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Tremendous answeres here guys. I was ready to order a set of TopCat's until I heard about the FPAP's. So just what are the differences between the TopCat's and the First Place parts?

Astrobuf

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The way the Top Cats are made to fit snug on the inner panels do not work if the panel is thicker then stock (if covered by Just Dashes). Fortunatly, the originals do fit with the thicker then stock panels.
How is the "gripping" channel different on the First Place ones vs. the Top Cat vs. originals?
Here is a picture of an original inner...

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The E-body inners have been redesigned on the Top Cats. They fit much better than the original design and I think are better than FPAP's. If anyone has compared another application of Top Cat's against FPAP's and feel FPAP's are better, I would be interested in seeing a comparison as to why they are better.

We are very lucky to have two high quality vendors making these parts. I first approached FPAP to improve their design while in New Product Development at Year One. They did not want to do so at that time. After leaving YO, my partner and I at RPM worked with Restoration Specialties to develop many of the first Top Cat applications. I'm very proud of that work as it brought a much needed part to the hobby. I think that in doing so, it also motivated other companies to make a better product than previously available.

I am obviously partial to the Top Cat brand, but I am also always open to improving a product, and so is Restoration Specialties. I'll forward this post for them to review. As I stated earlier with the redesign of the inners, I don't think the FPAP whisker is better. I don't think their other applications are better either, especially if they use a rubber lip on the exterior felt. Of course, that's just my opinion and as we all know everybody has one.

Thanks guys,

Randy

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Randy,
I bought a set of Cat Whiskers from you at RPM, June 04. I haven't used them yet. What is the difference between the RPM whisker and the Restoration Specialties whiskers?
Am I going to have problems with the ones I bought?

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i got a set of Top Cat for my challenger at Carlisle this past July. the outside pieces were very nice and fit well. but the inside pieces that went on the door panels were a train wreck. did not fit at all and wouldn't stay on the panels. luckily i was able to cleanup my originals and leave them on. i was a little disappointed for the money i spent.

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I just heard this about the whiskers.

I would like to see First Place and Restoration Specialties comment, if the following is not correct.

"Two years ago First Place spent a substantial amount of money redoing the inner felts just like the factory, then about 6 months ago Restoration Specialties started buying the correct type inner felt from First Place.
So now when comparing both products from both company's they are in fact both very good correct products, now its back to who has the best price."

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Randy,
I bought a set of Cat Whiskers from you at RPM, June 04. I haven't used them yet. What is the difference between the RPM whisker and the Restoration Specialties whiskers?
Am I going to have problems with the ones I bought?

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Snoopy,

There is no difference in the whiskers. The whiskers from June of '04 are the old design. Many people used them with no issues. If you have a reproduction door panel or recovered one, it will probably be thicker. If it's thicker you "may" have trouble getting it to stay on. If you have a stock panel, there should be no issue.

If you would like a set of the redesigned inners, pm me with your address and I'll send a set to you. You can use whichever you like the best.

Thanks,
Randy

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Randy,

You are a stand up guy. I wish I could have found such customer service committment from PUI and the vendor I bought them from. Alas, it is a live and learn world. Good suppliers stand behind their products.

Astrobuf

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I'm watching this one, as I will eventually need these for my convertible.

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Me too...as this is my first time installing these, I'd like the best product for the $$.
I sent an e-mail to First place yesterday, and they replied yesterday! (Labor Day!)
Set for my Coronet hardtop is $95.
I would like as many pros/cons on these,as this is my first time dealing with them.
Again, I hope I'm not hi-jacking, Thanks again to the original poster!!

Wally.

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I'm watching this one, as I will eventually need these for my convertible.

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Me too...as this is my first time installing these, I'd like the best product for the $$.
I sent an e-mail to First place yesterday, and they replied yesterday! (Labor Day!)
Set for my Coronet hardtop is $95.
I would like as many pros/cons on these,as this is my first time dealing with them.
Again, I hope I'm not hi-jacking, Thanks again to the original poster!!

Wally.

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Wally

The felts in question here are the E-body ones not the B-body. The B-body ones are excellent reproductions almost dead-on to your originals. If you compare to your originals you'll be impressed.

If you want to try a set from me to compare, and you're not happy for any reason, I'll refund your total price including shipping. Just don't install them. I'll send you a PM with details in case you want to do that.

Thanks,
Randy

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Now that's customer service and standing behind your product!

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When you say that the "B" body ones are spot on replacements does this include the earlier "B" cars such as the 64-65 Dodge and Plymouth? If not can anyone here recommend the best ones to purchase for these early cars? Thanks in advance. JC

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