Cab. Top Installation

funy1guy · funy1guy's Garage

Has anyone ever installed a new convertible top on their car?
I asked this last week about my Speedster and then realized there aren't that many out there so I am assuming it would probably be about the same degree of difficulty. Mine is a 1989 and Autos International told me it takes them a full day and costs about $800 ( the top is $795). I live in Idaho and its pretty difficult to take the car any where where they have decent installers. Thanks! Murf

911Atlanta · 01-10-2006, 07:04 AM

Can't help you, unfortunately, but good luck. My cab top has a small rip I need to repair but I can't find much previous discussion on cab tops at all on this Board.

What year is the Speedster ? Love those things !

funy1guy · funy1guy's Garage

It is a 1989 (#350) and had 80K on it when it purchased it in 1999. I have been restoring it for 7 years as it was sound mechanically but had a tired interior, exterior rubber etc. All is now perfect except for the top. Thank you for asking! Murf

911Atlanta · 01-10-2006, 08:33 AM

Oh man, that is a very sweet model -- do you have any photos to post ? I've seen only one Speedster on the road and fell for it instantly.

Thanks, Dan

msterling · msterling's Garage

I'm certain I saw a discussion on this forum where the process was described and included pictures. Use the search function to dig it up. As I recall, it is a lot of work and included lots of adhesives. The quote you got was probably reasonable.

My '88 cab top is in excellant shape except for the top window seals. They are a little ragged. I'm thinking that some sort of rubberized coating could be applied but haven't looked for a source yet.
Link to cab top thread
Another link with sources
Another
More
Hope this helps

911Atlanta · 01-10-2006, 08:44 AM

Hey MSterling -- when adding links to a post like you did above, how do you change the name of the link (that appears in the post) ? Thanks !

msterling · msterling's Garage

Dan,

When posting a reply there is a "http://" button above the reply window. When you click the button the first requester box that pops up is where you type your name/label for the link. When you click "OK", the second requester box is where you type or paste the hyperlink. Readers will just see the name/label in highlight/blue. (Can you tell I'm a computer system consultant?)

911Atlanta · 01-10-2006, 09:16 AM

Great explanation, thanks ! And indeed, you've clearly done this computer stuff before

Let's see if this works

David E. Clark · 01-10-2006, 11:18 AM

I guess I didn't learn everything I needed to know in kindergarten.

Thanks for the computer tip

msterling · msterling's Garage

Dave and Dan,

Congrats, you are both promoted to 1st grade. Internet diplomas rule!

Graham Archer · 01-10-2006, 05:52 PM

I replaced mine a few years back. I took a lot of notes (and went very slowly) as I took the old one off. It took two half days, a can of contact cement, and a case of beer. It looks pretty good but I think I could have made it a little tighter. If you have an assistant when you need to stretch the back window piece and stretch the top piece, it would help -- I didn't.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

I had mine done at an auto upholstery shop and ended up hanging around for the last 1/2 hour for them to finish. Their trick to get the German canvas tight was to apply it while the top was 1 1/2" back from the top of the windshield. After all was done it takes 3 people to close the top and keep it closed for 1 week, at times exposing it to heat (sunlight). The top is tight as a drum and the rear window perfect.

funy1guy · funy1guy's Garage

Atlanta 911: Here are some pics of ol #350. Murf

911Atlanta · 01-11-2006, 06:04 AM

Murf -- gorgeous car , thanks ! Do the Speedster features cause any problems or annoyances, etc. ? (low roof, shortened windscreen). I'm always hunting for a Speedster but wonder about that.

funy1guy · funy1guy's Garage

Hi Dan, Yes, Its noisy and if it rains it leaks like crazy. They tell you
right in the owners manual not to drive it in the rain. When I first drove it home from Los Angeles to Idaho I got caught in a downpour going thru Reno and was stuffing socks, underwear, anything I could find around the window seals. It rides like a buckboard because I lowered it. It truly is a fair weather car. Another Pelicanite Wes Zane in Hawaii has one and loves it although we have both benn thinking about 1997 C4's.
All the best! Murf...My wife is off to Atlanta tomorrow on a buying trip for her store.

griffithstech · 01-14-2006, 12:33 PM

If you can get them to do a near perfect job for $800.00 and they will stand behind their work, well take it! We did our own 87 and it takes more than one day, say maybe 30 hours if you do it yourself and do it right.

Quote:

Originally posted by funy1guy
Has anyone ever installed a new convertible top on their car?
I asked this last week about my Speedster and then realized there aren't that many out there so I am assuming it would probably be about the same degree of difficulty. Mine is a 1989 and Autos International told me it takes them a full day and costs about $800 ( the top is $795). I live in Idaho and its pretty difficult to take the car any where where they have decent installers. Thanks! Murf