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New top 75 Eldorado

Started by Tpicks55, October 01, 2024, 04:15:37 PM

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Tpicks55

Had a shop replace the convertible top.  It looks like there is a gap between the driver and passenger windows top edge and the top. Aprox 3/4 inch gap. The windows are at the full up against the stops. so my guess its the top that is out of adjustment.  Anybody have this problem before? Adjustment ?
75 Eldorado Convertible
94 Deville Concurs
2019 Lincoln Continental
2016 Cadillac XTS

Julien Abrahams

I think the top needs to be adjusted. If I am not mistaking, the top can be adjusted in many ways. A good shop will not only replace the top, but also make all the adjustments. But that ofcourse will add man hours and therefore cost.
1951 Buick Eight special
1954 Cadillac series 62
1967 Cadillac Sedan De Ville HT
1969 Austin Healey Sprite
1979 Opel Kadett

Big Fins

Also, the top maker makes a huge difference in the way the top fits the frame.

https://1975eldoradoconvertible.com/scissortop.html

There are 2 links at the bottom of the page I just linked to you. These are 2 trusted sources.
Current:
1976 Eldorado Convertible in Crystal Blue Fire Mist with white interior and top. (Misty Blue)

Past and much missed:
1977 Brougham de Elegance
1976 Eldorado Convertible
1972 Fleetwood Brougham
1971 Sedan de Ville
1970 de Ville Convertible
1969 Fleetwood Brougham
1969 Sedan de Ville
1959 Sedan deVille

TJ Hopland

How was it before the top replacement?  If it was 'perfect' I would say there is an issue with the material or installation.  If it wasn't quite right than it just may be the fun of an old car.

Its an entire process that could involve some back and fourth between the top and the windows and from what I can tell most shops do that on an hourly basis since nothing is a sure thing and they would have to remove all the possibly fragile interior panels for access.   When I had my last top done I just didn't have the money to put into trying to improve the alignment which is and always has been terrible on my car.   

I have not seen any sort of manual for these cars but I have seen and have manuals for other cars and they give a very specific sequence with some measurements that have to be followed to have any chance of everything coming together. If a step has been skipped at any point in the last 50 years there could be compounding errors so to get it right will have to start with step 1.  Even for a tech that has done them several times it can easily be a full day process which these days is easily going to cost you another $1000.   
73 Eldo convert w/FiTech EFI, over 30 years of ownership and counting
Somewhat recently deceased daily drivers, 80 Eldo Diesel & 90 CDV
And other assorted stuff I keep buying for some reason

Big Fins

There is a thread in the restoration section by Bob Ritchie in which he restored his entire car by himself. The top section seemed to be the most work. It also helps if you have a great top maker that can make the top properly out of the correct materials, including the cables which play a huge part in the way the top sits over the windows and top frame.
Current:
1976 Eldorado Convertible in Crystal Blue Fire Mist with white interior and top. (Misty Blue)

Past and much missed:
1977 Brougham de Elegance
1976 Eldorado Convertible
1972 Fleetwood Brougham
1971 Sedan de Ville
1970 de Ville Convertible
1969 Fleetwood Brougham
1969 Sedan de Ville
1959 Sedan deVille