!985 Convertible top replacement

[James Landi]

 Our 1985 convertible is coming due for a new top.  My wife and I have never installed a top, but we have done dozens of challenging marine canvas fabrication  jobs.  Has any one had experience installing a do-it-yourself tops available on line?    Gratefully, James

[Bobby B]

James,
  Hi.  My 2 cents….I've tackled just about everything when it comes to cars, but this is something that I think really requires the experienced hand to get it perfect. I've watched an expert do it, and I still wouldn't waste my time trying to get it right. The lack of experience in this type of job doesn't equate to a challenge of any sort to me, just possible frustration. Like anything else, the tricks of the trade only come with years of experience. You will most likely have to replace the pads, cables, tack strips, seals, etc.  90% of the cars I've owned have been Convertibles. I've seen good work/bad work, amateurs /professionals do it. There are just too many variables that have to all work together to get it perfect. Most has to do with the stretching and type of materials and the temperature factor of installation and usage. Nothing is worse than a top that won't close, not stretched properly, sags, loose, leaks, crooked, and/or uneven.  Some people like to do "everything", including myself, but this is one of those jobs I feel more comfortable leaving in the hands of someone who has done it forever. A properly installed top will last for years and you'll get a ton of compliments on the the fit and how great it looks. It really sets the car off. Just my opinion……
                         Bobby

[76eldo]

James,

Not a job for anyone other than an experienced top installer.
Not a do it yourself job.

Do yourself a favor and go to a top shop and let them get the top. Do not buy your own top.

If the job does not come out to your liking the top shop will blame the top if you supplied it.
Let them do the complete job and specify either a Robins top or an Electron top.

Hydro electric and convertible top specialists are both in Florida and they carry these tops.

I'm assuming your car is an ASC, not a Hess and Eisenhardt but you need to know before starting the job.

I created this web page for reference

http://www.sheffieldgarage.com/asc_hess.htm

Good Luck

Brian

[James Landi]

Terrific advice...  appreciate your candor... now... what should it cost to do it right?  I checked the internet, and as is usually the case, the cars that are being re-topped are small.   

[Bobby B]

James,
Last time I had it done with a Hartz Cloth top /Glass rear window, new pads, and cables it was almost $1200.00. The installer does a lot of cars for Amelia, Pebble, etc., plus I'm in NJ so add some extra just because of the area. I usually only do this once in the timeline that I own a car, so I don't mind paying to have it done right. As Brian said, let them supply all the materials, maybe just supply them the Bow Weatherstripping or do that yourself. Most shops don't want to install something you purchased online because they can't guarantee it if it was an inferior product or a "seconds" because you purchased it. It really is an art to install it properly. Hope this helps and Good Luck!
                                                                                           Bobby

[76eldo]

I'd say $1200.00 is right in there.

Top, glass window, pads, and I would recommend ordering new cables that run along the side rails.

Brian

[James Landi]

Under 2,000 for a top that's lasted us fourteen years seems like a great deal...I'm in Charleston, South Carolina, so I'll do some shopping for a reputable place... thank you gentlemen for your wise advice.  James

[Vinny6t6]

I installed my own top on my 66 DVC along with new weather stripping two years ago.  I took my time and read every single how to on convertible tops out there.  A pro would have taken two days, but I took two weeks.  Not a leak or a wrinkle and it looks great.  I have attached two pics of my finished work.

[James Landi]

THanks Vinny,  Your patience and concern for detail are evidence in the picture... which company did you purchase from, and were the instructions clear and detailed to your satisfaction?   James

[Vinny6t6]

Its a weird story actually.  I bought a rug for my car off of ebay and since the seller was near by, I went to go pick it up.  He said he bought a house that had a garage with many new/used car parts.  He said that the rug was marked in a box that said "66 CAD".  I asked him if he had any other parts for a 66 and he said that he had a black convertible top.  He threw it in with the sale (Which was $20, by the way!).  That 's reason, I tried it myself.  I needed a new top anyway so I figured if I tried it myself and screwed it up, I had nothing to loose.  I know this does not help anyway, but I remember the name brand beginning with a an "H".  As far as instructions, there were none.  However, there are a boatload of instructions on the 'net.  What I can recommend is buying an air stapler if you have a compressor or an electric stapler if your don't.  Also you will need contact cement for certain areas.  Good luck and PM me if you have any questions.