Installing my Convert Top!!!

Hey All, just an update on my speedster. The Dash is all reglassed and gel-coated. Gauges are in and working. Interior is all in except for the seats. However-to make the car usable again I need to either get the tonneau and top installed professionally or do it myself. Cost savings are calling my name so I'm going to try myself.

So if anyone has pics of how the top-bow fits into the top material and how it clips to the windshield I wouuld be totally grateful. Save me a couple hundred please! Thanks!!!

Darren

Darren,
Do you need Pics still? My car isn't at my house but I could get to it if you need me to.

I'm thinking having a professional do it will be the best route. So thanks anyways. But the top just seemes like something thats if done wrong can look reall really bad.

D

Hi Darren
"having a professional do it will be the best route" ?????
Who would that be? Buddy, you are dealing with a fairly rare custom configuration here. The "expert" is you. I suggest that you try the library (above) for various manufacturers instructions.
On the other hand, if you really need help, try Vintage Speedsters, local to your nieghborhood.
Best of luck Amigo!
PS.. I grew up in Long Beach so I know about your weather. My top lives permanently in my bedroom closet even though I now reside in the rainy, cold and foggy Sacramento Valley winter land.
"Top? I don't need no stinking top"

The best thing would be to go back to the maker and just by a new one.

I had a pro do mine and it got very expencive quick. But being I have a speedster with a D top I had NO choise.

Mine is like the red 1957 protype speedster D now in Wolfsberg, You can't buy one. But thats what I wanted .

The best thing would be to go back to the maker and just by a new one.

I had a pro do mine and it got very expencive quick. But being I have a speedster with a D top I had NO choise.

Mine is like the red 1957 protype speedster D now in Wolfsberg, You can't buy one. But thats what I wanted .

I bought the top, a full and a quarter tonneau from VS. I might have the shop they use install is. Its called A&M Upholstry. I will let you all know what its gonna cost. If its too much I might still try and do it myself.

I've done more than 2 dozen speedster tops from VS , no problem and you can get help from me or others here...Better yet , fly me out from PA. and I'll fix you right up! ~Alan

Alan,
Road Trip!
Count me in!
Greg

Temptimg Alan, Temptimg.....As it stands now the top shop VS used wants $350-$500. There is a top shop in the city I work in so I can drop it off, go to work, and pick it up on my way home the next morning. Still going to be around $300.

Darren,
Be very Specific about the fragility of your windshield when you let the top shop touch your Speedster.
Top Shops that are not familiar with Speedsters are notorious for breaking our windshields.
Let them know that any leaning, pulling, pushing, jiggeling, fudging, or touching the windshield and it's frame and support system can result in a cracked winshield!!!

Greg

Darren,
You can do this with patience.As Greg mentioned, the windshield is the weak point. Taking your time and asking questions is the way to go. Glad to walk you through your install via emails or phone on a weekend however, I am away the the next two weekends.

Top... don't have one don't want one,( maybe a tonneuo cover) it's So Cal. bro when it rains 3-10 days a year don't drive no worries be happpppy!! Cabanaboy - also in H.B.

Hey Desi we should meet up for coffee on Main St. one day or Breakfast at the sugar shack. Anyways I reglassed my whole dash I'm now thinking I can install the top. However without the top I also have no tonneau. The CMC snaps dont match the VS placement.

Ok so I'm going to be out of town for this whole week as well. But it loks like I'm back to needing some pics of how the header piece fits into the top material and how the clips are screwed onto it. Any pics will help guys. I totally appreciate it.

D

Darren:

An entire technical article on how to install your VS Stay Fast top onto a CMC can be found here, complete with pictures and "how-to" tips.

http://speedstershop.com/viewtopic.php?t=381

Darren , Suger Shack sounds good, I'll give you a shout when I get back from Costa Rica, surfing and fishing vacation with wifey. Cabanaboy- Pura Vida

Alan i may decide to let you have a shot at the top on my car.

I know its pretty good. But I would still rather it was perfect. would you concider taking it on in a year or two. its a shame to just throw it away an it only 2 years old. but it still has some places Im not completely happy with.

Barry,
Sure let me know when you are ready...this would be a great Carlisle seminar...eh Gordon?

Yeah, and you could join Lane and me (and, maybe, Kevin Haskins) on the Southeast Caravan, meeting up with the "Hoss Drive" from Tennessee (with, maybe, Biggs from Atlanta) along the way....Looks like we might be doing a few miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway along the way, too!

What a weekend!!! Ride along with some great folks, and get your top spiffed to boot!!!!

I'll bring along my neoprene contact cement!!

Gordon
Organizer of Speedsters Meet Spyders at Carlisle, 2007

All right got the top bows in and adjusted, snaps and murphy fasteners all in place. Top header needs to go in. SO-does anyone have pics of just the top header with the clips. In the up and down positions. From what is looks like I need to cut the header but before I do that I want to make sure of things. Thanks guys.

Darren

Darren - I had AAA Convertible in Costa Mesa (http://www.aaaconvertible.com)do mine and a great job Lee does! Not over-priced and great work. And since he's already done my CMC top (with a VS canvas) you won't have the learning curve.

And hey I'd like to see your refurmb'd ride since we're close. Got mine in the shop now doing the dash just like you - and paint and interior.
Jarco