Cabriolet roof replacement

[dcarlson]

Has anyone had this done?- Wondering what labor cost range to expect. Have priced tops for the '86 and $400 to $600 range is common - I know the roof removal and replacement has a lot of manhours but the labor estimate I got from a local place put the whole project cost at 'about' $5,000. (!) Is this a hosing or not? Will be getting a couple more estimates..

[yel911]

Curious to see what you get for cost. I need a top for my 993.

[Manitop]

I had my '85 done earlier this year by a local shop (Boston area) that has a good reputation. It was not a Porsche original part (that is $$$ as you know). AND I didn't replace the back window/panel as that bit was in good shape. That said, the whole job - parts and labor - was $800. I think with the back window it would have been $1,200 or thereabouts. The top looks and works fine. I was pleased with the results for the money.

[jklaspok]

I bought a top made of German canvas for about $420.00 and had it installed by a local car upholsterer for $600.00. The job was well done.

[dcarlson]

yikes! I already feel violated!! -

[group911@aol.co]

Originally Posted by dcarlson

yikes! I already feel violated!! -

Pull out. Around $1200 is reasonable. Variables are in the material you want the top made from. Most shops buy the pre sewn tops from either GAHH or World Trim so do your research from their sites as to which material you think is best.
Also, the cables on a cab are service items that need replaced periodically so this would probably be a good time.
What part of the country are you? We have an excellent top shop here in Denver that actually know how a Porsche top operates.

[Vino]

Originally Posted by group911@aol.co

Pull out. Around $1200 is reasonable. Variables are in the material you want the top made from. Most shops buy the pre sewn tops from either GAHH or World Trim so do your research from their sites as to which material you think is best.
Also, the cables on a cab are service items that need replaced periodically so this would probably be a good time.
What part of the country are you? We have an excellent top shop here in Denver that actually know how a Porsche top operates.

Bob,
Would love to know the shop your talking about here in Denver.
My Cab is also due for a new top and would like to take it in over the winter. Welcome to PM me if your not comfortable to post here.

Thanks.

Andre

[kidrock]

Originally Posted by Vino

Bob,
Would love to know the shop your talking about here in Denver.
My Cab is also due for a new top and would like to take it in over the winter. Welcome to PM me if your not comfortable to post here.

Thanks.

Andre

Would also like this info in a PM. Thanks in advance!!!!

[donagain1]

Hey all,
I purchased a top from an online shop, the name of which escapes me now, for something in the $500/600 range (incl headliner) a few years ago. After experiencing World Upholstery's customer service when I subsequently replaced my carpeting, I wish now that I'd purchased the top and boot (and additional $300 as I recall) from them. All that aside, after getting estimates from local shops that were in the $1800/1900 range (fitted canvas and headliner material included, no boot) I opted to undertake the project myself. It was summertime, and the ambient 95-100° temps in my Sacramento area home's garage, while miserable for me, did well to help in keeping the canvas pliable to stretch as required. My job is not without the flaws that a first-timer like myself might expect, but for the most part I'm the only one to see them unless I'm stupid enough to point them out. It's irksome on a personal level, particularly when in our own minds we tend to regard ourselves as a consummate craftsman, but I'm really happy that I did it... intimacy with the car, and all that. There's a driveway photo of my car that you can see by clicking on my "garage" here, and as you may notice, it didn't turn out looking all that badly. Economic conditions, despite the labor cost savings, precluded my replacing the horizontal and vertical weatherstripping seals over and behind the doors, and although refurbished to the best of my ability, those are the only places showing any hint of wind/water leakage, either while driving or while washing with a hose sprayer.

Essentially, if you fear the magnitude of the project and doing it yourself isn't for you (isn't all THAT bad, really), then you'll be able to get it done for a lot less than the $5K quote. Then again... if that particular quote is from a concours-level restoration shop, includes all new rubber trim, headliner, strapping, and expert fitting/tweaking/mechanism adjusting, AND the rest of the car is in a condition to support that level of expense, that's a whole 'nother matter.

[group911@aol.co]

The shop is Autoweave on 64th Ave. . Been around more than 30 years and don't think they are going anywhere. Really nice guys that do outstanding interiors.
They actually understand how the tops work and what's prone to failure.

[Vino]

Is there a price difference for installation between a manual and electric top?

[group911@aol.co]

Originally Posted by Vino

Is there a price difference for installation between a manual and electric top?

Shouldn't be a difference.

[dcarlson]

shop said they would have to re-align/adjust everything (despite my having told them that the current top is working perfectly and has had new motors and all else needed to operate mechanically A-1 done about a year ago. Did you have to really dismantle the whole mechanism and re-adjust or were you able to refit the new top and basically go? thanks

[donagain1]

dcarlson, if you were asking me, it was the latter. When I put the new two piece top on, I didn't have to remove the frame, only the rear tensioning hoop at the rear of the body tub. That's the only post install adjustment I needed to make.
Don~