New top for my Cabriolet

[87turbolook911]

Can anyone recommend a shop to replace my original top on my '87 Cabriolet? I'm in the DC area but would be willing to drive two hours in any direction to have it replaced by a quality shop or individual. Also how much can I expect to pay for this replacement? I'd like for it to look as OEM as possible.

Thanks!

[911boost]

They can get very expensive depending on how nice of materials you use. What is wrong with yours?

I know a place in Colorado that does a good job, unforttunatly that doesn't do you any good...

Bill

[Graham Archer]

I would be interested in hearing what kind of estimates you get. I assume it would cost $3-5K.

I just finished replacing my own. It took me about 20 hours of labor and cost $365 for the top (stayfast fabric sewn by EZ-tops), $6 for a quart of contact cement, $4 for some new snaps, and $11 for beer. I have a very slight wave in the back window. One day I may redo the back rim to remove it....but I doubt it.

Good luck.

[jester911]

A friend of mine had a top put on his 84 a little while back and he said it set him back about 4k. Not exactly a cheap fix

[stone43]

As long as your headliner is good, hardware is good, out here in SoCal, $1500 for the German material and $1300 for the American, if I can remember correctly. You also now have a choice in back windows--$50 extra for the "scratch resistant" type. Not sure how much better it is.

[toyboy]

Graham,
Did you documented the replacement of your top?. Can you go into details?. I am interested in doing myself as well for my 1990 C2 and in the process of gathering informations. Thanks for your help. Andy

[87turbolook911]

the headliner started to rip so I just cut all of it out and the remainder of the material is starting to fade...

Initially I was just looking to replace the headliner, but the local upholestry shop said I might well have the whole top replaced. Same amount of labor.

It'll probably hold up for another year or so with care. Just wanted to anticipate the $$ it would take to replace. All the hardware and power mechanisms are fine.

[lukeh]

I feel the 3-5K guesses are way to high. I did my 83 cab a few years ago. Material was roughly $400. Labor was based on a set number of hours that he looked up in a book. I seem to remember something like 12 hours at $50 for a total of $600. That brought the total to $1000. I also did all the seals. I can't remember what that added. Call and ask dealers who they use. Also ask local PCA guys who they have used or have heard good things about. If the same name keeps coming up, you may have a winner. I would make sure the guy has done 911's in the past. I have been told by many that they are hard to do and like anything, you get better with practice.

[stone43]

Luke is correct. I found my shop via the local Porsche dealer. A new headliner can add some bucks. You may want to take the plunge and have it all done at once as that appears to be your smartest long term choice.

[Graham Archer]

Toyboy,

Yes I documented the replacement process (I'll be able to retrieve my instructions in a few weeks since I'm in the middle of moving). Which is to say I wrote down the 35 steps I took to remove the existing top. It was fairly obvious which parts to remove first. For installation, I reversed the steps..but with the old top sitting beside me for reference. The problem areas where:

1) I did not stretch (enough) the bottom of the window piece onto the bottom U-bar. Thus the wave in the window.

2) I had to drill new holes for the back cable hold-downs (with the little triangular plastic piece) to match the corner of the new top. I then had to make sure I attached the front of the cable such that I added back the 1/2" I took away at the back. This decision alone took 3 beers (I kept thinking I should reuse the old holes).

3) For the stretching ceremony at the leading edge of the top (and for the top of the window piece), I propped the leading edge of the top up with the Bentley, Hayne's, and Wayne's book. With a healthy amount of stretching, this gave a nice tautness to the top (when closed).

4) I marked all the positions of the snaps around the back of the window piece using masking tape on the paint. This made it a lot easier to reuse the holes for the new snaps (so I would not have to worry about matching the pieces in the cover.

5) When you come to placing the top piece on the frame, make absolutely sure it is centered. You only get one try.

[piedogger]

Just had a new top put on my 83 a few months ago. My upholstry guy would only use GAHH products. They use original German plastic on the rear window which is very scratch resistant and no distortion looking out. Just for your info the install book time for a new top is 8HRS. the install time listed for a headliner is 4Hrs. My guy quated me 7-10HRS at $60.00 an HR He did the top and headliner in 8HRS.
Sugg. retail from GAHH: top in german (the only way to go)$709.00 the headliner: $50.00. AS you can see if you really only need a headliner it would be much cheaper, In otherwords keep looking for a new uphoster.GAHH number is (800)722-2292. Some guys won't install what they don't sell(or no waranty) so check first. Another Idea would Be call GAHH and find out who they sell to in your area. Good luck!

[911boost]

Could someone post a pic of the headliner or describe what part of the top it is, I guess I am confused. I have seen other convertibles with full headliners running the length of the entire top (not Porsches). What part of teh top are you guys referring to when you call it the headliner?

Bill

[Graham Archer]

The headliner is the black material you see from inside the car. It is taped (looked like black duct tape) to the top of the front and back aluminum plates (the plates span the width of the car and are about 4-6" wide). You put the headliner on just before you place the top piece of the roof onto the frame.

Incidently, I can't see why you couldn't replace the headliner with the roof in place.

[87turbolook911]

Is it possible to replace the headliner without removing the top? If so I could live with the top for a while. Right now the ceiling of my car is off white, since I cut the old headliner out.

[911boost]

Oh ok thts what I thought. I just wanted to make sure that I was not missing a major part of my top. And you can pretty easily remove the back aluminum plate so that the material could be replaced on it. I had to remove mine last week to try and chase down a real annoying rattle...it is just held on with some screws. I don't know about the front one, but I woudl imagine it would not be that hard....

Bill

[911boost]

Did the change the top in 87? I guess I dont understand what you cut out..maybe I am missing something...

Bill

[Graham Archer]

The aluminum pieces I'm refering to are a major part of the supporting frame...so I don't think you would remove them to replace the headliner. I would imagine what you could you is open the top a bit and try to slide your hand between the underside of the fabric top (or headliner if it is still there) and the topside of the aluminum pieces. The headliner should be taped down an inch or so from the edge.

I suppose the correct way to replace the headliner is to very carefully detach the top from the leading edge (lots of contact cement there), detach the cables and side seals, peel back the top, and tape down the new headliner.

[vesnyder]

I replaced the headliner on my '83, and did not have to remove any cables or seals. It was easier than I though once I removed the old one, whcih was pretty ratty. Put the new one in with the top partially open, which made the new one very taught when closed. Looks great outside of the glue I got on it when I glued it in. Outside of that it just like new!

I remember an old thread discussing this. Do a search. It is easier than outlined above, but maybe the '83 is different?

[toyboy]

Graham,
I hope you won't mind if I remind you of the documentation for the the replacement of the cab top in a few weeks?. Thanks. Andy

[Graham Archer]

Andy,
Reminding me would be a great idea. Thanks.