reasonable price for 83 cab canvas top replacement

what would be a reasonable price to pay to install a brand new canvas top on my 83sc cab?

anyone out there have this done?

I got my German canvas top from
www.autosintl.com .
I did the install myself, but I don't recommend it. I also do not recommend ANYTHING but German canvas or you'll end up doing it twice. Only the German two-sided canvas will do.
On the install. Wish I had taken pictures this time....it's such a horrible mess, you probably couldn't believe it. If you decide to do it yourself and want some advice, drop me a line.
Otherwise, expect to spend around 690$ for the top from autosinternational (excellent quality), as well as around 650$ or 700$ for installation.
If anyone quotes you lower than 500$ for installation, they may not realize all that's involved, so go to a real expert.


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Kurt B
'84 Carrera Cab.
carrera_cabriolet@yahoo.com

it's such a horrible mess, you probably couldn't believe it. If you decide to do it yourself and want some advice, drop me a line.

sounds like a good weekend challenge....is it more of a "frustrating" mess or a "fun" mess?

anyhow, thanks for your reply. I would like to attempt this myself.....any pointers and/or helpful advice?

It should be a good project (?)



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83 sc euro cab

now here's my first question.....

does the frame have to be removed from the car in order to install the new top (and remove the old one)?

An expert will spend 12 to 14 hours on it or so I'm told. I just did mine a few months ago...let me recount.
What I did differently this time was remove the entire top.
Don't do this...it won't be taught. Just bear with it inside the car, that way you can have the top down exactly as it will be and if it's tight on the car, it'll stay tight.
I can tell you right now where you'll struggle the most:
1) Getting the rear window taught, without wrinkles in the plastic window or "waves" elsewhere.
2) Making holes in places outside where you'll regret it later. Seems like it won't happen, well it can. Because you have to fully secure portions to stretch others out, and a movement of a spot of 1/16" can be a problem. Plan on 20 hours. Start with the rear window. The other part is around 1/2 or a 1/3 as difficult as the rear window.


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Kurt B
'84 Carrera Cab.
carrera_cabriolet@yahoo.com

thanks...I will be posting pics of my project progress after I get my digital camera...

hopefully you'll be around in case I have more questions.


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83 sc euro cab

Kurt,

TO replace the 3 seals between the frame and the body of the car (1 long one and 2 short ones), does the convertible frame have to come off...thanks for your reply.

Hmm..you're talking about the rubber one that goes around the whole back and the two that are on the sides that go up to the window.
The long rubber one is tricker. You'll remove the 3 allen bolts in the back (near the rear window, covered by caps now), then pull the semi-circular frame up. Also undo the screws holding 6" pieces covered by vinyl above the rear seats. Once you get in there, you can see the knife like portions of the top assembly.
Undo the knife like parts (one bolt, 10mm) t and with that up, you can get at the two shorts on the sides, and also pull the back part up and out. This is a pretty tricky operation, but you can pretty much get it all back together after you get under there and look to see what I mean.
However, the long one that runs along the back is actually held by all the nuts (8mm) that hold the top down, and there are around 10 of these. This is a bear to get at, but it can be done.
I have to get at it this weekend myself because I want to tighten it, but I've put it off because it isn't much fun to undo all of those nuts with the top on, and taking the rear window off isn't something to consider unless you have a few hours to spare to put it back on--even if the holes are already there and lined up for a good fit.

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Kurt B
'84 Carrera Cab.
carrera_cabriolet@yahoo.com

[This message has been edited by Kurt B (edited 04-07-2001).]

yeah, it's a tricky job but it has to be done. it turns out I got a leak coming in through the seals. (put the water hose over the side and it's collecting under the rear seat)

oh well, it's almost a 20 yr old car....time to replace some seals on it.