Soft top factory inside clips...

[agmason54]

Beamers
I removed an original top from an SV the other day and noticed some clips that hold the inner softtop flaps on to the inner inside gutter right behind the B post pillars. If you look very closely in the upper left hand corner you can see one clip still in place. At the lower right by my red handled Philly scraw nabber you can see a pair of them.So it seems like the flaps where clipped in place from the factory. This is a new one on me. Thoughts.............
Al

 

[alpine_64]

Al,

They used those clips to secure the extended flaps to the rain gutters from S3 Alpine onwards. You used to be able to get repros from Sunbeam Specialties.. sadly they are NLA and rick gives you the clips that secure the rubber strip around the scuttle drain inside the bonnet instead.... they dont work nearly as well.

 

[agmason54]

Mk
They reminded me of seat upholstery clips but with an 'L' shaped extension to grip the lip. I guess they mostly got tossed when a new top was installed.
Thanks
Al

 

[puff4]

Any chance of a better pic of that clip, Al?

 

[alpine_64]

When i get home i can post some pics of the original clips on an unrestored Tiger and the same on a SV Alpine. both with factory soft tops still on... might actually have a pic of the tiger one with me on my USB... will get one either soon.. or later tonight.

 

[Alpine 1789]

There was a very original, very low mileage SV at the Invasion about 10 years ago that still had these clips. They were a surprise to most of the guys there but certainly cleaned up the look of that area. I have to imagine that it wouldn't be too hard to find a good substitute if one had an original one as a reference point.

 

[agmason54]

Kevin,
I could do that...
Agm

 

[agmason54]

Kevin MK etc,
I found two on each side. The first picture shows them where I found them. I also noticed that the corner of each flap was tucked up under the center strip that secures the top to the body.
Al

 

[puff4]

Thanks very much, Al.

Hmm... VERY interesting. I will have to dig through my stocks to see if I have any of them. They look strangely familiar.

Al, was the top cut off that car?

 

[agmason54]

Kevin,
The top was toast so I just ripped it off and used my blade on the header. I think I have seen those clips somewhere else myself . I would never have guessed what they were used for if you handed me one. I was lucky they did not go flying when I tore the top off.
Later sailor,
Captain of the 'John Bull'

 

[alpine_64]

I cant remember if there were 3 or 4 per side, I have that photo that shows it, but i didn't finish work till 1am and i completely forgot to look for it.