Need a new top

Okay, after attending another Speedster event and seeing all those smooth, good-fitting, Stay-fast tops beside my wrinkle-y, ill-fitting CMC vinyl top I've decided it's time for a upgrade.

Has anyone out there replaced the vinyl top on their CMC Speedster? What are your experiences? Success/disappointments? Does one manufacturer fit better on the CMC than another? Costs? Installation tips? I assume the windshield header and clamps need to be replaced too but what about the two bows - any issues with those?

E.C. Bruce:

Should be an interesting Winter for us both. Due to my mouse escapade, I'm awaiting the arrival of a new VS Stayfast top for my CMC.

I plan on using the same header, front latches, bows, rear tighteners, etc, from the CMC kit, although I covered the CMC top bows with shrink tube for that sleek look. I may have to make them shorter to fit the VS version, but will know that when I try it out.

Never even thought about any potential differences between the mechanisms for the two different tops - just figured I would get the VS version and, if it doesn't just fall togeher, I'll make it fit.

So I guess I, too, am looking for any input from others who have made this conversion (el cheapo CMC top to a VS Stayfast) and survived.

Thanks, gn

Bruce

I've done quite a number of CMC to VS top converisons .
The metal bows are a hair different, since the VS metal bows are not expensive I get new ones rather than spend hours trying to bend and rebend the CMC bows. A CMC windshield headwr bow will work as long as it's in good condition if it is questionable then opt for the new VS with the winsdhield frame clips installed by VS.

You'll see that on most speedsters there is a slight wave in their rear plastic window, there isn't much that can be done to remove this as it seems to be in the sewing or the sections that is the cause
(per my interior guy)

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Bruce:
I'll offer to help you do a new top installation in exchange for a bacon egg and cheese sandwich at Carlisle '05 !

I use the VS tops, either the canvas or the Stayfast

Need to see a good pic of your windshield bow

Alan....

Alan,

A bacon egg and cheese sandwich for a new complete, installed top...can you include a header and clamps?? Oh, you mean you would help install it. :>) Thanks for the offer, I might take you up on that.

Gordon,

It will be interesting to follow your installation. I parked my car next to Stacey Campbell's Vintage over the weekend and his back bow was a bit higher than mine (high bow versus low?). I noticed his snaps were anodized black to match the Stay-fast, very cool. His top fits unbelievably well, stored down all summer it didn't have a wrinkle when it was up. What color did you order?

I saw a Alpha Romeo at a show this summer and it had the anodized snaps as well - very cool, so I asked where he got them and he told me he colored them black with a Magic Marker...and they looked pretty good, too!

Alan: Do I REALLY need to buy new top bows rather than use my CMC's? Where are the differences in the bends? Worse that happens is I find a correctly-sized tree to bend them around, right?

I had planned on getting the thing loosely on there, with the header glued on and latched and the rear bows fitted and THEN stand back and take a look at the line to see if I like it. If the rear bow is too high, then I was planning on rippin-N-tearin on the bows til I got it to look the way I want it and then go from there. If there are different bends involved, I may have to make up a bending jig on a sheet of plywood to slowly and accurately get them to the shape I want. Not a big deal, just a PITA.

gn

I've done a conversion as well. The way it fits is all in the installation. A few things I found helpful....if you glue a new header bow on the front of the top, use 3M super weatherstrip adhesive aka "gorilla snot" and it will never come off. Also, there's a tool called the "pres N snap" for installing the snaps in the top. It's kind of pricey but you will drive yourself nuts trying to install them with the cheap punch type tool. I work with canvas all the time and this tool is a must have - but even if I only did one top, I would still say it's worth it. Just my two cents. Good luck!

Mike:

Who sells the "press-n-snap"?

I found it online. I don't remember the website but if you do a search for it you'll find pages of web sites that are selling it.

I found something a while ago that works about the same way for a lot less money (although it's not as rugged as the "press-n-snap").

It is a pair of plastic attachments that slip over the jaws of a large pair of Vise Grips and provide the same function as a press-n-snap tool. The plastic pieces have metal inserts that do the actual crimping, so they're pretty rugged.

I found the instructions that came with it, and this is the info, although I've yet to find a web site:

Time Saver Tool Corporation
Hammond, IN 46324
219-845-2500

"Vise Plier Attachments"
T4-82A (upper)
T4-79B (lower)

These are supposed to be "heavy duty" versions

I've used them a lot, and they do w really good job - never had any snaps pull apart once crimped.

I think they were somewhere around $10 USD and I already had a pair of large Vise Grips.

Gordon

Most fabric stores will have a tool for making snaps and have the snaps as well. Mine have been on for a couple of years and no problems.
ed

that's a much better price!

Gordon ,
I have come across metal bows that have different end radius's that is where the difference is, the length and height is the same.

If you run into a problem I can trace a set of VS bows to compare against the CMC's

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"JoAnne Fabrics" has a inexpensive ($ 10)snap pliers that I have been using for years , they are easy to use vs. the vise grip attachments.

I really like the lift-a-dot snaps I used on my top.


I looked all over for them, ended up getting them at a local street rod interior shop. Then the other day I found them in the McMaster catalog, that place is awesome.

Jerome

Yeah, and the clientel at Jo-Ann's isn't all that bad, either.

That's where I got a good deal on the material for those engine bay shop covers I'll be building this winter (like the one I had at Carlisle).

Jerome: Are "lift-a-dot"'s similar to Tenax fasteners? They have a little mushroom-like crown which, when pulled straight up, release a ball-stud captive in the body.

Alan: The traced template might be useful, but let's wait til I see what's going on and can decide what might help. Routing a plywood bending template shouldn't be a big deal unless I'm in SC and the router is in RI, but then I have a Lowe's just down the street in either place!! I'll also have to find a decent auto upholstery guy in the greater Beufort area to hit up with questions as I go along...we'll see.

gn
One of the "Speedstah Guys rooting for the Red Sox" in Rhode Island
Go Derek!

Hi Guys, I'll stick my neck in as wanting to replace my CMC vinyl also. It's a 10 year old tan one with fade and smudge marks, but no tears. Also tough to pull up in the cold, much easier in the sunny summertime that is too short up here. I think the VS options are a little more pliable?

Been all through the snap routine, tried and modified a vise grip specifically for this purpose and still had trouble all the time to the point that I've converted over to the lift-a-dot type, much easier to remove and holds better than the snaps. Down side is the post is taller (appearance) and the snap itself is larger (appearance again) and requires 5 holes to mount into the top, but actually very easy with a $50 punch.

Lift-a-dot is different the tenax. Tenax was found on german cars and is a great device and might be more correct on a 356, but at something like $8ea for top and stud, the British lift-a-dot at $0.75 in stainless seemed like a deal. Did my current top and toneau with enough to do another top, if I ever buy it.

Bought them in a 100 pc lot from a west coast dealer, it was similar cost to an 30 individual piece order. I'll check the bag tonight for name if anyone is interested.

Does the VS bow system have the small override latches to stretch the top once raised like the CMC? That feature is a must have with the vinyl, maybe not needed with other material.

Boston Bob, another happy Red Sox fan!