Top Installation

I'm still in the build stage of my car and I'm getting ready to try and fit the top. Does anyone have any good photos of this process or words of wisdom? Does the top secure at the back of the compartment with snaps or what kind of hardware? How does the top attach to the windshield? I found some clips that obviously must be for the top but have no idea how they attach to the fabric of the top.

Taking your time to check, recheck and recheck again for correct fit and even left to right fitment before you install snaps or glue anything. Top attaches to the rear body area with snaps that are placed close tot he body lip ( too far away from the lip and you'll come up short on material at the windshield), it is important to mark the exact center of the top, place a snap on center and then evenly spaced around the top base edge. The top gets glues to the windshield header bow and then tucked and glued into the underside groove. The clips get attached to the headed bow. Expect this entire process to take the better part of a day to to do this. I just installed a top last night in two hours, but have done many.
When in doubt, ... stop and ask questions.
Tom should be able to walk you through this, you can also pull up the CMC build manual in the Knowledge Section for the top installation instructions. ~Alan

Tools and supplies:
Leather punch, snap installation tool, chalk, 3M adhesive, chip brushes, blue painters tape, tape measure, duct tape.

i found this step to be the most confusing of the build - especially the header attachment / clips

i documented the steps on my site if you need a visual.

one thing you might want to consider: tenax fasteners instead of snaps. super easy install and they are easy to take on/off. they do cost more though.

Gordon's tutorial:

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

I do the top install a bit differently.
I install the snaps closer to the edge of the top than the 1" indicated in the CMC manual, this allows for a bit more of the top flap material fastened to the windshield frame and also moves the side curtain flaps a bit forward forming a better seal for the side curtain against the top. It is important early on that you confirm the left and right sides of the top meet at the door gap at the same spacing....even a bit off to the left or right will cause a wrinkle on the top. This would make a good 90 minute Carlisle class. ~Alan

Thanks for all the info! I have signed up for the "speedster shop.com" site. I think I will read Gordons manual and try to get some visuals. Alan, you have me a bit worried and I think I will spend a bit of time looking at the CMC manual. I wish someone had a car locally for me to look at.

What type of hardware do the bows fit into? I think I am short any other hardware other than the clips.