Hi there.

I took the convertible top of the car together with its old (torn) vinyl before the restoration started last August.

My ques is, can i just send the convertible top mechanism (without the car) to the shop and ask them to change the torn vinyl with a new one and then I install back on the car myself? Is this advisable? Or it HAS to be done ON the car?

Appreciate your comments/advice on this.

Thanks.

Syed

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Cars: 1966 Dodge Dart 270 Convertible,
1990 Alfa 164 Twin Spark
1980 BMW 735i 5-speed

http://www.weddingcar4u.blogspot.com/

Syed,

The top has to be fitted to the car with all its rigging in place. Each top is a custom fit, and requires several to many small adjustments during each stage of the project for a wrinkle free, tight looking job.

A new top can be made from the old top using it as a pattern.

The top irons and gaskets have to be attached to the car, and adjusted for proper fit before any top work can begin. You will need to do this because all the glass and irons were removed from your car. All these parts need to be realigned, before any top work is done. Once top irons and side glass are adjusted for fit & working smoothly, new padding, side cables, and tack strips can be fitted. The padding sets & holds the top irons in proper position or alignment, and must be right on the money or the top won’t fit & opperete as designed.

It s important that the rear Top Iron, the one that runs just above the rear window, (“curtainâ€￾ as the trade calls it) be positioned exactly “Xâ€￾ inches from edge of metal where top attaches to car’s body, or your top will not fit well, or close well, or rear window to zip in easily. This measurement is known by top manufactures, and you can ask them what it is, if that measurement was not recorded at the time of deconstruction.

There are many sites on the web giving instruction on how to install a convertible top, as well as top fabricators. I have installed tops on both of my cars, and did a lot of homework before starting the project. It is rather involved and fussy work. If you may want to have an upholstery shop do your install.

Bill

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC