IM ROADSTER top

Hi gang. The canvas top on my '88 IM ROADSTER is original and is in need of replacement. I got the name of the orininal maker{ Autos International } from Henry.
Has anyone installed a new top on a ROADSTER themselves,and if so is it a complicated project?
Are there any tricks to a good installation ? I can use the old as a guide but I am afraid it may have shrunk,-24 years old-
I'm interested in doing a Haartz Stayfast Canvas and naturally want good results
How is it installed so as to have the proper tension when in the up position? Want it snug but don't want to stress the windshield.
Also what is it indexed to?
I have read a lot of info on the web and also did a search here but could not find anything specific to ROADSTERS.
Thanks ,Tom

With that type of top carriage assembly I would take the car to a professional shop, expect to pay for about 6 hours labor.

Tom

When did you buy the Roadster?

Robert,This will be the sixth season , should have done it sooner.
To all those on the fence "we only regret the things we didn't do" mostly . Tom

Tom, did Henry give you any product number for the top or have you found out which top is the correct top? I'd like to have mine replaced too.

Brian, Henry didn't give me a model number for top. He said they were made by"AUTOSINTL.NET"
I spoke with Ralph at "AI" and he asked what model I had. He said there were 2 types and mentioned he would have to contact Henry to get particulars.
I am reluctant to order one till I find out how tough a job it is to install.
Henry seemed to think it was relatively easy but every thing I read says it's vv time consuming,6+ hours for a pro.
I asked on this forum if anyone had done an install themselves but so far no replys.

Tom:

Several of us have done top installations, but not necessarily on an IM. I've written an article on installing a Vintage top on a CMC, but the top frame mechanism is quite a bit different on those cas and might not be of any help.

IM's have an articulated top frame that is a bit different than something on, say, a Vintage or CMC. Beck has something similar, but I don't know how similar.

To that end, getting the top onto the bows and windshield header is pretty straightforward, regardless of maker, but then you have to match the snaps or Tenax fasteners on the top to whatever is already on the body and so forth, and THAT is what takes all the time (and 6 hours sounds about right.)

If it were mine, I would get the pre-stitched top material from Henry or AutoInt and then have a local convertible top person do the install for you. You will better appreciate the final result from someone who knows all the installation tricks and has the parts needed to do a professional job.

gn