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My super cheap quick release hardtop brackets

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Old Nov 6, 2018 | 06:21 PM
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Default My super cheap quick release hardtop brackets

Now that my car is a full track car, I really miss the days of old when I could’ve put the top down at ease. I still like to do some sessions with the hardtop off and to drive around town on a nice morning, but it’s kind of a pain to remove the solid brackets that I have. While it’s only a few bolts it is hard to get it to line back up just right when putting the hardtop back on. I know the OEM latches are an option, plus a few others like Forbidden/etc., but I don’t really like spending a lot of money on things I don’t “need”. I really wanted a budget solution. While messing around in the garage and with some McMaster research this is what I came up with.

I made a quick DIY for anyone interested: https://baero.tech/cheap-quick-release-hardtop-brackets

Took only about an hour of work. I plan on using OEM front latches to complete the set.
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Old Nov 7, 2018 | 04:05 AM
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I've long forgotten what it's like to rip around a track topless.
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Old Nov 13, 2018 | 12:45 PM
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cool!!
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Old Nov 13, 2018 | 05:34 PM
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I follow you on the 'gram and didn't even know it. Cool stuff.
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Old Nov 20, 2018 | 01:46 PM
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nice work!
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Old Jun 6, 2022 | 04:09 AM
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Originally Posted by roel03
Now that my car is a full track car, I really miss the days of old when I could’ve put the top down at ease. I still like to do some sessions with the hardtop off and to drive around town on a nice morning, but it’s kind of a pain to remove the solid brackets that I have. While it’s only a few bolts it is hard to get it to line back up just right when putting the hardtop back on. I know the OEM latches are an option, plus a few others like Forbidden/etc., but I don’t really like spending a lot of money on things I don’t “need”. I really wanted a budget solution. While messing around in the garage and with some McMaster research this is what I came up with.

I made a quick DIY for anyone interested: https://baero.tech/cheap-quick-release-hardtop-brackets

Took only about an hour of work. I plan on using OEM front latches to complete the set.
Was curious how this method has held up over the past few years. Im heavily considering doing this but wanted to see how they hold up.
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Old Jun 6, 2022 | 07:41 AM
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They worked great, honestly. They also helped a ton once I had the car caged. It still allowed me to have enough room to fit my fingers in there to take it on and off.

I guess I hadn't updated my post but I actually added another butterfly latch to the front of the bracket as well, so two per side. That got the hardtop super tight and sealed. I used the stock soft-top latches for the front. Tighten the front soft-top latches first, then the butterfly latches next.
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