Does anyone make a better than original top? I see that OPGI has one, but it comes with a plastic window, not the glass like the original. Their premium top uses the european cloth-style with a rubber liner, which is fine. I'll trade off long life for originality. I live in Seattle, so WATERPROOF really needs to mean waterproof, not just water-resistant. Any help would be awesome. Bad news is that someone slit the original top on a little old lady unmolested car. :af: Good news is that insurance should pay for it. :TU: She got it new in '72 as a 50th birthday present, and I got it from her in 2004. She wouldn't sell to her son, as she didn't believe he would care for it properly. Her mechanics, my old room-mate, and his older brother, had been quietly talking me up for over a decade about maybe giving it a good home when she stopped driving. In 2004, I got a call from my old room mate, and now it lives with my 2 Gran Sports.
Definately consult with your I shop but Robbins brand is a top choice and of course have glass window option. Where is your window?
Mine does have the glass. I'd rather have new glass, as this one is a bit hazy. Thanks for the tip on Robbins.
Your top lets in water? Ive been in huge storms with the underside of the top staying dry. Could that one have been replaced brfore?. My issue is always sealing around the windows. Im due for a replacement and looking for a good shop to do the work, The ones Ive talked to want to supply the top-a good idea for warranty issues. Check into Electron tops also.
Each Guy that installs tops will have his favorite. The first thing you need to do is decide who you want to do the installation, then ask him which brand he wants to put on. Also he may want to buy the top himself, so before you buy anything talk to the guy first. It can cost you a bunch more money, or you may end up with a top he will not put on if you do anything else. Duane
I've done a LOT of top research in the last year. My top was new like 5 years ago, but the guy I bought the car from left it down for 5 years, it's wrinkled + shrunken now. There are MANY companies that make tops that will service, fit + look show quality if installed well. Robbins, Kee, Electron + ARO2000 are a few common names. Most places offer a good + better top. ARO2000 is the ONLY place I know of that offers a top similar to original. They have 3 levels of tops, I think. It is a multi-layer with a butyl type liner. All other tops don't have that layer as far as I know. The extra layer helped the top fit well and prevented wrinkling. Because they are thicker, they are more difficult to install. Duane gives excellent advice above. Look for an excellent installer first. Go to shows + cruises and look + ask around. Then see what they like to use. A good installation is far more important than the brand of top used.
