REPLACEMENT CONVERTIBLE TOP

Keeping it sharp - paint, wax, detailing, etc.
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wachuko
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Joined: Thu Feb 04, 2010 10:56 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat 2000 Spider
Location: Orlando, FL USA
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Re: REPLACEMENT CONVERTIBLE TOP

Post by wachuko »

To me a canvas/cloth top looks more classy, but you have to take better care of it. But that is just my preference.

Comments from a few folks here is that a vinyl top can take a bit more abuse without showing any degradation.

Here is a thread I started when I was looking for a new top for my car.

Carpet and Top vendor recommendations
Drive Safe!
Wachuko

1981 Fiat Spider Progress thread
1967 912 Progress Thread
1981 911 SC Coupe RS Transformation
1983 911 SC Coupe RSR Transformation
1991 964 C4 Cabriolet Progress Thread
2012 BMW X5 xDrive35d
2015 FIAT Abarth
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ga.spyder
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Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Blairsville ,Ga.

Re: REPLACEMENT CONVERTIBLE TOP

Post by ga.spyder »

I badly need a top ,and after reccomendation from other owners,I ordered mine from Germanex.It was $170 w/ shipping for a vinyl top.I almost never use the top,and the boot is always on.Canvas would be a waste of money for me.If you order from this company,call the 888 line,and put you order in.Doing that saved me $15 from the flat shipping charge on the website.Top looks great.I have cables,but they supply them for another $20.Very nice to deal with,and everyone said the fit is excellent.Cant beat the price!!
http://www.germaneximportsinc.com/
Craig Nelson

1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
baltobernie
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Your car is a: 1973 Spider [sold]
Location: Baltimore, MD

Re: REPLACEMENT CONVERTIBLE TOP

Post by baltobernie »

You're gonna need that top up today, bubba :!:

Wow, you guys have had a nastier Winter than us so far. Plenty off time to work on the Spider, though :)

Photos and description of your new top will be welcomed.
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ga.spyder
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Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Blairsville ,Ga.

Re: REPLACEMENT CONVERTIBLE TOP

Post by ga.spyder »

Youre right ,Bernie.This is our 3rd big snow this year!!We are housebound again.The GDOT has a limited number of plows and salt trucks.Since Atlanta is at a standstill,most of the resources are working there.I have a big 4WD Ford truck and can get out,so I have been running errands for the neighborhood!My big purchase before the next event...a snow shovel!! :shock:
I will post some pix of the top when installed.
Craig Nelson

1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
Exit98

Re: REPLACEMENT CONVERTIBLE TOP

Post by Exit98 »

Craig,

Are you going to install it yourself?

I got mine for Xmas. Haven't decided if I'll do it myself or not.
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ga.spyder
Posts: 3478
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Blairsville ,Ga.

Re: REPLACEMENT CONVERTIBLE TOP

Post by ga.spyder »

I was recomended a place near me,that said that they would install while I watched,if I had a set appt.They have done quite a few Spiders.Convertible tops are their entire business.They quoted me $175.I have studied the installation instructions,and feel that for me that would be money well spent.I plan on letting them do it.
Craig Nelson

1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
redcars
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Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Collinsville, IL

Re: REPLACEMENT CONVERTIBLE TOP

Post by redcars »

I put a top on my 82 spider earlier this month and it took me most of a day. I would say that for $175 you have got yourself a good deal.
1987 Lotus Super 7 clone
1981 Fiat Spider 2000 AT
1982 Fiat Spider 2000 5sd
1970 Fiat Coupe
User avatar
ga.spyder
Posts: 3478
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Blairsville ,Ga.

Re: REPLACEMENT CONVERTIBLE TOP

Post by ga.spyder »

I thought so too.I dont have a well heated place to work,so late spring would be my earliest chance.Added to the fact that I'm not comfortable with that type of work...I will let them do it.
ps..redcars,I love the Lotus 7 cars,clones or original.The area I live in hosts a lot of car clubs,and the Caterham guys were up here last year.I rode with them(in my Spider)to show them some of our best roads ,and got a ride in one of their cars.Awesome...I would love to have one some day!
Craig Nelson

1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
Dads77spider

Re: REPLACEMENT CONVERTIBLE TOP

Post by Dads77spider »

How is this rear window frame area supposed to look when finished?
Any pics?
My pics below (next entry) V
Last edited by Dads77spider on Wed Jun 01, 2011 4:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
Dads77spider

Re: REPLACEMENT CONVERTIBLE TOP

Post by Dads77spider »

Not easy to post pics here!
Image
P1040478a by jonnyracerx, on Flickr
Image
P1040479a by jonnyracerx, on Flickr

This is where I'm not sure what to do, it looks like you're supposed to wrap it but it doesn't exactly fit (too long, or doesn't curve like the bar).
baltobernie
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Your car is a: 1973 Spider [sold]
Location: Baltimore, MD

Re: REPLACEMENT CONVERTIBLE TOP

Post by baltobernie »

It wraps around the crossbar and is glued to itself. Looks like yours isn't long enough.

Image
Dads77spider

Re: REPLACEMENT CONVERTIBLE TOP

Post by Dads77spider »

No, no.
see the area I have circled?
the place that glues to the rear window frame.
It seems to go on the bar from inside to outside the bar but at the top it looks like it needs to be trimmed, folded, or???

However, thanks for the pic, I was going to wrap that part the other way (so that the vinyl side is visible)

* I just realized that your top doesn't have the flap I'm talking about ! ???
See the piece I'm holding with my fingers?
arana

Re: REPLACEMENT CONVERTIBLE TOP

Post by arana »

I had a leather one made and it came out looking pretty good, if I do say so myself. No vendors down here and I got tired of getting raped on import duties. Crappy photo, while still getting put back together, but you can get the idea.

Image

hmmmm.... I used the img insert tool to link to a photo sharing site and no luck. perhaps i'm not allowed for being a semi-newb?
millertraci

Re: REPLACEMENT CONVERTIBLE TOP

Post by millertraci »

Hi All

I imagine this topic is eventually everyone's destination. I am reviving it once again.

I have a 78 124 so no problems finding a matching top or questions as to which model.

The comments I have read sound like most of you have garage kept cars or some form of climate control. I live in Arizona.

Spcifically, I live in Tucson, a desert, hot, dry, then moist, then dry again, hot, always hot, and an insidious dust that becomes part of your DNA at some time. I dont have a garage. My fiat is my daily driver. I dont even have covered parking. It's black. It's HOT. The vinyl top on it now has actually held up amazingly well but it's that time... you know, minutes before it's a pennant of ragged vinyl strips flying behind me on the freeway like some Mad Max warrior clan banner.

So my question is... what would you recommend? I am going to punish this top. The company I choose should in all fairness pay me to prove the durability of it's product like a consumer group, hahahaha.
Money is no object, but it's value is also carefully considered. I have no interest in spending as much as possible but if it's justified, it's available.

Hit me with your best shot. And Thanks in advance. Throw in some car cover suggestions at will. I havent invested in a top quality cover because of the same questions... which one will last longest, is worth the money spent and will actually fit the car properly..? x 3
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