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convertable top question
Just picked up an 83` cab and its top could use replacement. Is it a do it yourself type job ? Has anyone do it before ? And who sells a good top for the $ ?
Kurt Williams
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Never drive faster than your gaurdian angel can fly. 82 SC w/965S eng and G50 6:1 hp/w ratio 72 911t 2.6 twin plug and 72' 911t 57k orig 1 own miles 65/66 912 1 owner 76k orig 01' Aston Martin DB7 V12 Vantage Coupe 6spd |
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03-30-2006, 08:45 PM
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verdones in scottsdale az does them all day long. exceptional quality work...........not cheap. dont have # try google search
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03-30-2006, 09:12 PM
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Location: agoura hills, ca 91301
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Kurt,
I have an '83 cab. When I bought it, the top needed replacement. From what I understand from the search/archives, this one is not a DIY as you are prone to errors. I opted for the 993 top. Looks cool. Fucntionality is somewhat questionable as I tend to like a wider field-of-vision rear view. If I were to do it again, I would go with the original style. Good luck. |
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03-30-2006, 09:49 PM
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Get in contact with Thom (widebody911) on the forum. He has done more than one top conversion/replacement I beleive.
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Matt '76 Porsche 911 with '78 3.0 SC engine '71 VW Bus '14 VW Passat (toddler hauler & wife approved ride) '03 Subaru Baja original yellow & silver |
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03-30-2006, 11:00 PM
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I hear it's a job for the pro's. I'm having my '83 cab redone on Wednesday. The top is from GAHH. Paternik (the PCA expert) says use GAHH or Autos International tops. I'll post before and after pics once it's done.
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Bill G. '68 911 Ossi Blue coupe |
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03-31-2006, 06:10 AM
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Too big to fail
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I've done targa->cab conversions, but not the replacement of the top fabric.
The top fabric replacement can be done at home, but you have to have the mad tech skillz.
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"You go to the track with the Porsche you have, not the Porsche you wish you had." '03 E46 M3 '57 356A Various VWs |
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03-31-2006, 07:01 AM
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Location: Atlanta, GA
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I'll be interested in seeing the final results. Is your top manual or electric, and does that make a difference?
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C.H. Boost Addiction - honestly, I have it under control 1989 911 Turbo Cabriolet Mods include: Kokeln IC, GHL Headers, Hooligan muffler, Modified K27 7200, BL WUR, LC-1 & XD-16, Bilstein Sports (4), TRG sway bars, Oversize torsion bars, Strut brace |
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03-31-2006, 07:14 AM
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#29 SCWDP (muhaahhh!!)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Jupiter Florida
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I've seen a number of reasonably priced tops on Slezbay. I wonder if there is really that much difference in the overall construction of these tops. I'm going to need a top soon, so this is of great interest to me too!
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IslandmanFL SOLD...78 911SC (ROW) cabriolet/widebody hear BEBE purr!! 92 325is Now living in Sunny West Palm Beach FL! |
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03-31-2006, 07:28 AM
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I think it's important to use a top that your installer feels comfortable with.
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Bill G. '68 911 Ossi Blue coupe |
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03-31-2006, 07:32 AM
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hey just to clue you in on these tops from my own wallet. plan on open/closeing it manually unless you want to pay big bucks for motors/switches/cables etc. just got done w/this fiasco. cables apparently last about 2 yrs. mtrs very spendy. finally called it quits when there was no end in sight. IT IS MANUAL now and will stay that way til hell freezzzzzzees over. had nightmare of flying down back road one july day when microburst from HELL opens up on me and my girlfriend and entire interior trashed by HAIL/RAIN /SLEET SNOW up on peaks in colorado and i have no way to seek shelter, nor manually lock down top! yes i had this problem of locking down forward part of top to windshield and yes i had screwdriver as per owners manual to try and lock it down and it wasnt even raining.............just cold! and yes the red dash convertible top light stays on when open!!!!! sigh. but cabs are the only way, just a pain in the old keester!
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03-31-2006, 07:42 AM
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mine's a manual.
 I got it in my head once to convert it to a power top--someone quickly convinced me that it was a very bad idea.
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Bill G. '68 911 Ossi Blue coupe |
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03-31-2006, 07:47 AM
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Too big to fail
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Quote:
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"You go to the track with the Porsche you have, not the Porsche you wish you had." '03 E46 M3 '57 356A Various VWs |
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03-31-2006, 07:56 AM
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mines an '87.
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03-31-2006, 07:59 AM
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Location: Atlanta, GA
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When was the first year of the electric top?
Between 83 and 89 but not sure when...
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C.H. Boost Addiction - honestly, I have it under control 1989 911 Turbo Cabriolet Mods include: Kokeln IC, GHL Headers, Hooligan muffler, Modified K27 7200, BL WUR, LC-1 & XD-16, Bilstein Sports (4), TRG sway bars, Oversize torsion bars, Strut brace |
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03-31-2006, 09:17 AM
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#29 SCWDP (muhaahhh!!)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Jupiter Florida
Posts: 1,747
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Kurt,
I've been looking seriously at topsonline.com. They offer a 5 year warrenty with their top and also have suggestions on installers across the country.
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IslandmanFL SOLD...78 911SC (ROW) cabriolet/widebody hear BEBE purr!! 92 325is Now living in Sunny West Palm Beach FL! |
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03-31-2006, 09:28 AM
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Its a manual top. It has only one little tear but I can see little pinholes of daylight right through over my head. So Im guessing its gunna leak. I havent experienced rain yet.
I will start looking into local places to do the job. Since im in NY it shouldnt be to hard to find the right place. Here is a picture of the car. The sun was killer bright and makes the paint look oxidized in the photo. Its just your standard bright gaurds red. Kurt Williams   
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Never drive faster than your gaurdian angel can fly. 82 SC w/965S eng and G50 6:1 hp/w ratio 72 911t 2.6 twin plug and 72' 911t 57k orig 1 own miles 65/66 912 1 owner 76k orig 01' Aston Martin DB7 V12 Vantage Coupe 6spd |
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03-31-2006, 08:55 PM
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#29 SCWDP (muhaahhh!!)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Jupiter Florida
Posts: 1,747
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A friend who has done tops before, said the secret was to get the top wet. Install it with a snug fit and when it dries it's tight, when wet, snug! Makes sence!
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IslandmanFL SOLD...78 911SC (ROW) cabriolet/widebody hear BEBE purr!! 92 325is Now living in Sunny West Palm Beach FL! |
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04-01-2006, 06:09 AM
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MBruns for President
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and a wide body too - steel or fiberglass?
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Current Whip: - 2003 996 Twin Turbo - 39K miles - Lapis Blue/Grey Past: 1974 IROC (3.6) , 1987 Cabriolet (3.4) , 1990 C2 Targa, 1989 S2 |
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04-01-2006, 06:20 AM
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1969 Porsche 911 2.7 
1976 Porsche 911 3.0
Gone to California
Turbo
