Conv. Top Header

I will be digging into putting the top on soon. Problem is the header
that fits over the windshield doesn't match the contour of the frame and
won't seat down properly. Whaddya think, take a heat gun to the fiberglass bar and try to reshape it to the frame? Will the fiberglass give a little?

BD

Bill,

How far out is it? I believe my old instruction book suggested putting weatherstripping on the underside where it sits on the frame but that may not be enough "fudge" to make it fit. I'm not sure you will be able to bend the header to fit, can you do some sanding or dremel-ing before applying the top material?

By the way, we ordered sunny weather for the Speedster meet on October 25 so you shouldn't need the top :>) but good luck with the installation anyway.

Bill,

I'd call JPS or VS. I would guess they will sell you a correct one for cheap. Where and how does your header connect (hook/turnbuckle) to the winshield frame? Again, I would guess it's the same as VS/JPS.

Jim

jim how tall are you just out of curiousity? it looks like the head room is pretty good with the top up

Been there a number of times with headers that don't match the windshield contour. A heat gun will not do the trick . I also tried cutting "slits" one inch apart into the bow to relieve some of the radius then reglassed the bow...That follie was a labor intensive waste of time circus but gave myself a B+ for the effort!
I am not sure if with age, an old uninstalled CMC/Fiberfab header bow "shrinks" or the current available windshields have a slight diff at the top radius.....

Best to go with a new VS header bow as I do and have the clasps installed by VS.

Alan M

I'm with Jim- original style Speedster seats are the only way to fly. I had the cut-down 914 Vintage seats in the old Speedster- they were WAY to high for me and I'm only 6 ft tall. JPS makes a nice Speedster seat repop, and it dropped me down in the new car completely behind the widshield (well almost). My wife will even ride in the car with the top up (she hated it in the old car- she's pretty clausterophobic). I'd recommend this as a "must have" feature.

I'm 6' 1 1/2", 188 lbs. I was slouching. Found that with my ass scooted forward and inch or two I fit in the car without looking like I'm in a go-cart. It's a learned position, just like learning the "lean" when angling in with the top up. LOL. The "Slouch": a necessity unless you want to lose ball caps and get a 4 ounce bug capping you at 70 mph.

I fixed that though with a recent installation of original style speedster seats. I hung them permantly on a local made frame base instead of the VW tracks. Figured no one else will drive it unless I sell it, and themn I would reinstall the old seats and rails. Dropped about 1/2" and then gained about 3" in the leg due to the more upright style of the seat allowing it to be fitted against the rear bulkhead/juumpseat. With the VS furnished cut down 914 seats there is a slant in the angle between seat bottom and back that leaves a 3" gap even with the seat all the way back on the tracks and against the bulkhead.

Hope this helps. Oh, and all of the manufacturers will set up the 356 style seats for long legs. I just decided to go an extra inch, so to speak.

Jim
(Message Edited 10/7/2003 7:58:32 PM)

Jim, I did the same thing. I bought the JPS seats, and they fit on the VS rails. What brand seats did you buy? I'm 6 1", and don't like bugs in my face. Eddie

Bruce: If I can't heat it, I'll probably grind at it a bit. It would go over the frame if I "persuaded" it a little but I don't want to chance it. I hope it's nice for the cruise. I'm working to get "her" ready and
reliable. It'll take about 90 minutes to Mt Airy, the farthest trek
I'll be making with the car so far. I think I have the oil system snafu's
pretty much solved. I'm doing some "regain my confidence" runs this week for peace of mind.

BD
(Message Edited 10/8/2003 6:46:39 PM)

Bill,

It seemed everything needed to be "persuaded" in the old CMC kits (and every other custom piece I've purchased for the car). Do you have the old CMC manual? I believe they suggest gluing a piece of weatherstripping on the underside of the top bow after you glue on the top material.

I just came back to Maryland from ten days in California expecting to see all the leaves changed and on the ground, surprised (and glad) to see that was not the case. The foliage should be perfect for the 25th. I just picked up two more Speedsters for the meet which raises the count to 22 (if everyone shows that expressed an interest). I will need to finalize the count by the 17th.

I glued weatherstripping in the top bow and I think I need another thin strip in the center about 1 1/2 feet long. It seems to work pretty well until it starts raining really hard, and then the wind drives it in everywhere. Do like Jim did and look for a bridge to get under.
ed

Bruce: Yes I have the newer manual. I have all of the supplies I need to get started. I have to massage the header bar to fit down better over the windshield frame yet. Am working on the snaps now. Sounds like a potentially good turnout. 20 speedsters!Don't forget the camera!

BD

Don't all responsible kit manufacturers supply their customers a list of bridge underpasses in your Zip Code?? Maybe this should be a NHTSA requirement?

Bridge underpasses. Never.... ever trust what they are "marked as" I drove big truck in the east for 28 years and can tell you most of those that are designated are lies total lies! Over the years, roadways have been repaved thus a 1-1/2 to 3" layer has been added ( basic math here) but somehow they forget to change the bridge/ underpass markings .
Myself, I have been lucky and only "rubbed " a few with a flatbed hauling framing lumber .
I do have a friend that made a very nice , sporty convertible out of a '02 Ford van ..that got him a week off !

Well I finally got done re-inventing the wheel..I mean the header bar
for my top. I got it to fit down over the w-shield frame and worked in the clasps also. I had to remove a quarter inch of glass from the center
out 14 inches each way. Now it don't rock like a rocking horse any more.
Onward and upward..I beginning to get thirsty for a spot of wine, Bruce!
Greg B. are you going to the meet in two weeks?
BD
(Message Edited 10/12/2003 2:21:15 PM)

Bill,

It sounds like you are resolving all your concerns. Do you prefer red or white? I bought $70 worth of wine a couple of weeks ago when I stopped by to finalize some arrangements. Linganore Winecellars is about 1.5 hours west of me and we are looking forward to the drive. If the weather is as nice as this weekend it should be beautiful!