The new top is on!

[KHummel66]

It was a 12 hour day today after 4 hours yesterday, but the new canvas top is on. I'll add new pics tomorrow of the end result (it's too dark to get a good 'after' pic). I also took a few pics of the progress along the way.

The best part of the project was finding a very small strip of tan canvas underneath the #5 bow weatherstrip which I believe was left over from the original top. I had always wondered if the black vinyl top that was on it had been a color change when it was put on or a same color replacement. Now I know. And, without knowing it, with this new top, I put it back to original - not just canvas but tan too. Woohoo!

This is my best $100 ebay find yet. My apologies to Sandy for not using an exact replacement, but $100 vs. $750+shipping was to good to pass up.

Now, if I can just find a deal on leather covers and foam for the Recaros I picked up last year...

[Sandy]

IF that is THE normal spread between OEM and aftermarket costs, then I now understand why 80% of these cars being sold on e-bay / Craig's List and other places have aftermarket tops.
But, it's still sad, to me. IF it was something not so easily noticed (such as a Pep Boys muffler - just for an example) it would not be so noticable, as the in-ya-face of a roof.
I take off my hat to you for having the patience and expertice to do it yourself ! I have problems installing door edge guards, because my 3rd hand gets in the way! So, 'ya, that was pretty great of you.

[KHummel66]

No, that's not the normal spread. Before I came across the one I got off ebay, I was pricing the aftermarket tops and they were in the $500 range for canvas and $300 for the vinyl. The $100 I spent was just too good of a buy to pass up.

I've add some pics. A couple of the car with the correct wheels back on it instead of the 'star' ones that were on it when I bought it. Also a few of the top replacement.

[svo413]

How did you new top fit? What brand was it?

[shelbyscarab]

Wow, congrats on doing it yourself.

In '03 when I replaced mine I found a guy who does custom interiors & vert tops for high dollar hot rods to do mine. Excellent finished product & great price. I would've been a nervous wreck doing it myself, a little piece of mind I guess......

[KHummel66]

Pics of the completed project are now in my album. Sorry it took a day longer than I thought.

Fit is pretty good, but not perfect - one part the top's fault, one part mine. If I paid full price I'd be upset, but considering what I got it for, I'm plenty happy with it.

The issue with the top is that it seems the lower corners of the sides are a little short - see the gap at the base of the side windows at the corner of the doors. I think they should extend forward another 1-2 inches so the 'kick up' comes to the edge of the window. I've yet to see what will occur in the rain, but anything is better than the gaping hole I had before because of the tear (and of course I'm hoping to have the top down most of the time anyway).

The issue I created myself was not double checking the centering of the front before adhering it to the frame, so the top angles slightly to the drivers side as it it gets closer to the #1 bow. The result is that I don't have as much 'overhang' over the passenger side window as I should, but I have more than I should on the driver side. I am contemplating trying to redo it, but I think I may mess up how taut it is. I need to think through that a little.

As far as the brand - I don't know what it is, but I am guessing it originally came from CabrioWorld since the design is identical to the old vinyl one I removed and they are the only company I found that offered both types.

Keith

[Sandy]

1. It's one of the best, Non Originals that I've seen!
2. You are to be commended on a fabulous job, I could NEVER do that!
3. I am sure was was difficult. My "hats" off to you.

Now....

4. The WaVyNeSs of the hem all around the car, (where the tan material actually touches the car's body) is not your fault AND your comment about her not comming close enough to the door windows are one in the same. It's not your fault. The wire sewen in to the material is not strong enough, nor thick enough to be the "BOSS" over th material. If it was stronger and MADE the material go how it (the wire) wanted, the waves would be outta it, and THEN the material would go forward that added 1/2 inch.
Perhaps with the rear hook of the top released from the hole, and with help to hold the roof UP and forwaed, as if you were going to lower the top, you might be able to slowly work from the center spot outward and around to the door - the material toward you and around the turn getting out the slight waves /\----/\ in the hem. It's worth a try.
Doing so, will NOT "move" the top off of where it is, just stretch the hem a bit all the way, working from the rear window's lowest spot, where it sits ON the tonneau cover toward you and around to the door window.
I hope this will work and that it will be better. Do it on a hot day, hot vinyl stretchs easier. Good Luck & be patient doing it. Take ya time.

[KHummel66]

Thank you Sandy! You're comments are much appreciated.

In regard to your suggestion in #4, the top is actually fabric, not vinyl. Will it still stretch as you described?

Thanks again, Keith

[Sandy]

'Ya, of course I know it's fabric - I just forgot and yes it will stretch.
It's not going to be easy. Also, you might wanna call an area used car dealer and ask where he take convertibles that need A LITTLE TOP WORK.
Tell that she works, you just want to get some part straighten of the material. Use car lot owners usually know exactly where to go for whatever.