jdoclogan
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Anyone know about this Fiberglass Series III - IV - V hardtop
- Thread starter jdoclogan
- Start date
Fergusonic
Donation Time
I bought one for my SV. It was of good quality with the exception of one thing: Driver's side vertical window brace was about 3/4" shorter than the Driver's side causing it to "hike up" on the passenger side. I wound up cutting the brace, lengthening it, and installing a new plexiglass side window.
The unit does not have rear attachment hardware supplied; Purchaser is left with using stock hardware rear "bullet / bracket" hardware which are hard to find and expensive or........ being creative.
The supplied rubber seals are sufficient to seal around the rear, front, and windows.
One must use caution when cleaning the rear window as it is plexiglass and , of course, will scratch easily.
The ride is much quieter with the hardtop vs canvas.
The unit does not have rear attachment hardware supplied; Purchaser is left with using stock hardware rear "bullet / bracket" hardware which are hard to find and expensive or........ being creative.
The supplied rubber seals are sufficient to seal around the rear, front, and windows.
One must use caution when cleaning the rear window as it is plexiglass and , of course, will scratch easily.
The ride is much quieter with the hardtop vs canvas.
Jay Laifman
Donation Time
Back in high school, when my Alpine was new to me, I bought a Dynoplastic (?) fiberglass hardtop from a pilot who used to have a Tiger. I think I paid $75. It didn't have the rear quarter windows. The front and rear clips were basically L brackets with J bolts in them. Years later, when I had money and restored my Alpine, I bought a decent factory steel hardtop and restored it to match perfectly, all new rubber, all new windows and all correct brackets. I finally ditched that silly $75 top.
Then I came to realize how great that Dynoplastic one was. Glass rear window and sooooo light. Easy to put on and off by myself. Easy to hang up on the wall. Quick to put on and off if the need arose.
And now instead I have a supremely heavy hardtop with plastic rear window, that I can still put on and off myself - but with quite a heft to get it up and off. In fact, I think I've done it only once or twice since restoring it. Of course that's mostly because I greatly prefer top down driving and don't drive it in the rain.
I also picked up a prior factory hard top that had a "little rust." Wow, that was a mess. Really hard to get it fixed well.
So, if this new top is able to fit and be generally water tight, unless you want a concours car you never drive, I'd strongly suggest going this route.
Then I came to realize how great that Dynoplastic one was. Glass rear window and sooooo light. Easy to put on and off by myself. Easy to hang up on the wall. Quick to put on and off if the need arose.
And now instead I have a supremely heavy hardtop with plastic rear window, that I can still put on and off myself - but with quite a heft to get it up and off. In fact, I think I've done it only once or twice since restoring it. Of course that's mostly because I greatly prefer top down driving and don't drive it in the rain.
I also picked up a prior factory hard top that had a "little rust." Wow, that was a mess. Really hard to get it fixed well.
So, if this new top is able to fit and be generally water tight, unless you want a concours car you never drive, I'd strongly suggest going this route.
jdoclogan
Platinum Level Sponsor
I appreciate the sharing Jay. The owner has already ordered the top. I provided him original rear bullet/latches.
I agree about the on/off process. The top is heavy. My recollection of the SUNI IV Autocross was wanting to remove the top to lighten my Series III. My first meeting with Rick from SS came about as he asked, "can I give you a hand." Instant friendship! With the top off, excellent running engine and the close ratio trans it all made this amateur look good. Lots of fun.
I agree about the on/off process. The top is heavy. My recollection of the SUNI IV Autocross was wanting to remove the top to lighten my Series III. My first meeting with Rick from SS came about as he asked, "can I give you a hand." Instant friendship! With the top off, excellent running engine and the close ratio trans it all made this amateur look good. Lots of fun.