Hardtop findings
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 612
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From: Stockholm
Hi all
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Update Feb 11: I've played around with a new layout for the pics, please close the GeoCities banner thingy by clicking twice in the top right corner...
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I finally got around to take some pictures of my new hardtop, please come see them here
I like the new looks, especially the rear view.
Visibility has really improved, there is not much of a dead angle anymore. You can see cars in the rear window over your left shoulder between the roolbar and the side of the roof. The only drawback is that i can't really see the upper edge of the trunk when parking without really stretching my neck. Shorter drivers will probably not see it, so parking might be a bit more difficult.
The fit is not quite perfect yet, i need to slightly modify the height adjustments at the sides behind the doors (one side needs to come up a few millimeters more than is possible at one extreme, one side needs to come down a few millimeters) but i'll do that once it's warmer outside. I'll put a file to the mounting brackets and enlarge the holes to let the adjustment bolts move a bit further.
The car is significantly more quiet, sounds like any regular car now, it's so quiet that i'm worrying about some noises from the engine i haven't heard before... :-) Hopefully they are normal.
[Edited by BassMan on 03-10-2001 at 05:07 PM]
******
Update Feb 11: I've played around with a new layout for the pics, please close the GeoCities banner thingy by clicking twice in the top right corner...
******
I finally got around to take some pictures of my new hardtop, please come see them here
I like the new looks, especially the rear view.
Visibility has really improved, there is not much of a dead angle anymore. You can see cars in the rear window over your left shoulder between the roolbar and the side of the roof. The only drawback is that i can't really see the upper edge of the trunk when parking without really stretching my neck. Shorter drivers will probably not see it, so parking might be a bit more difficult.
The fit is not quite perfect yet, i need to slightly modify the height adjustments at the sides behind the doors (one side needs to come up a few millimeters more than is possible at one extreme, one side needs to come down a few millimeters) but i'll do that once it's warmer outside. I'll put a file to the mounting brackets and enlarge the holes to let the adjustment bolts move a bit further.
The car is significantly more quiet, sounds like any regular car now, it's so quiet that i'm worrying about some noises from the engine i haven't heard before... :-) Hopefully they are normal.
[Edited by BassMan on 03-10-2001 at 05:07 PM]
Did you install or dealer? Glad to hear the visibility improvement. How much time/effort to take off and put back on? Is it a one person or two person job?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: Stockholm
I mounted the top myself since the shop had a one month (!) stop on new jobs (one mechanic had quit unexpextedly). It was not too difficult a job since there was no alternative places for stuff to go. Everything was supplied in the box, except for instructions... It took me about two hours, but would have been a one hour job if i had had some manual.
I have put up a string-and-pulley system in the garage ceiling that holds the top in four corners. Perhaps i'll take some pictures of this later. I can handle this myself (holding the rope in one hand and directing the hardtop with the other hand). The top comes off in a minute, and on in a few more, mostly because i want to be careful not to scratch anything. The top is not heavy, but too bulky to lift manually on your own, it takes two people and in that case i think you can lift it on or off the car and snap in the electric cable for the rear window heater in one or two minutes with practice.
[Edited by BassMan on 02-04-2001 at 11:47 AM]
I have put up a string-and-pulley system in the garage ceiling that holds the top in four corners. Perhaps i'll take some pictures of this later. I can handle this myself (holding the rope in one hand and directing the hardtop with the other hand). The top comes off in a minute, and on in a few more, mostly because i want to be careful not to scratch anything. The top is not heavy, but too bulky to lift manually on your own, it takes two people and in that case i think you can lift it on or off the car and snap in the electric cable for the rear window heater in one or two minutes with practice.
[Edited by BassMan on 02-04-2001 at 11:47 AM]
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 665
Likes: 13
From: San Diego
I just thought of an idea. if we get a couple of people who own hardtops together (hopefully some blacks), we can swap them to see how they look. Then we can post pics and let people know if it's reasonable to get a color other than the body style for the top.
David
David
