Re: top hole
It sounds as if the flange on the inside of the top has been cut off when the insert was welded in place. The flange around the inside of the original was "stepped" down and nailed on several inch centers to the top wood. The chicken wire underlayment was attached over the wood and butted to the step flange. A pad was placed over the wire and the top fabric was applied and tacked through holes in the step flange. An aluminum trim strip was nailed as an edge to cover the fabric.
I suggest you try to locate a Coupe in process where you could get some good pictures and make a pattern of the opening. The hole is not square. You may be able to use a portion of the welded in insert to form a new step flange if it is, in fact, missing. Gar Williams
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