• Welcome to the new SAOCA website. Already a member? Simply click Log In/Sign Up up and to the right and use your same username and password from the old site. If you've forgotten your password, please send an email to membership@sunbeamalpine.org for assistance.

    If you're new here, click Log In/Sign Up and enter your information. We'll approve your account as quickly as possible, typically in about 24 hours. If it takes longer, you were probably caught in our spam/scam filter.

    Enjoy.

Convertible frame - color?

leigh

Donation Time
Hi, I'm in the process of replacing the convertible top on my 61 Alpine and decided to repaint the raggedy (on my car) metal contraption that holds it up. What is the original color that these came in from the factory? Mine was gray before I stripped it but I'm not sure if that was original. I'm thinking black might go better with the top.
 
They are machinery grey in all the alpines and tigers as the original soft tops everflex material was a light grey inside.

This makes the interior feel much better and more open when the top is up.

If you are fitting a new top I would say it's worth spending the extra money for an everflex top with the grey interior
 
Machinery grey...
Probably got a deal on some old WW2 paint....
Very much like the new fad that looks like clear coated primer ;)
Robbins is the US manufacturer. Not sure of the purpose of the grey liner other than correct look. Having had rag tops with and without headliner's certainty appreciate a layer between the hot sun and the black vinyl.
 
. Not sure of the purpose of the grey liner other than correct look. Having had rag tops with and without headliner's certainty appreciate a layer between the hot sun and the black vinyl.
Warren , as stated.. the light grey makes the interior feel a lot larger and brighter, bounces light around in it more and makes it a much nicer place to be with hr roof up.
Parody the pun but it's night and day between having a black lined top and light colour.
 
Machinery gray to be exact.
A quick search and the colors being advertised today as "machinery gray" appear to be way too dark. This specific monitor I am using is not color calibrated, but these colors are so far off that I'm not seeing a need to switch to my other rig that is calibrated. :)
1723682598208.png

1723682633582.png

Was a "Rootes machinery gray" color used?

Mike
 
There seemed to be 2 grey colours rootes used ,the earlier alpines seemed to have a darker grey,the later ones a much lighter grey.... @jumpinjan might be a good reference point.
 
To the eye, Mike's frame pic above looks pretty darn close.
Yes, I agree, Mike's frame looks closer to the light grey ( and he says Sv) that i mentioned , but I've seen the earlier cars with darker grey, both on frame and seat frames too.

I suspect Jan might have some input on the correct colour/ colours
 
Michael, the headliner on convertible tops takes a beating while down from all the road grime and sun.
The light grey would be no different. Ok on a play non driver car , but like a painted engine bay it's more to attempt to keep clean. Outside of being "correct " and stock costing more in the manufacturing process I don't see the point. It's already bad enough trying to keep the plastic window clear and unscratched. Hard to not take the points as a deduction since no US mfg.If there's a secondary supplier that's great. If it's got the grey liner that's ok too. Here is a link to Robbins.They list an Everflex material. This is great as they used to sell only to dealers or retailers. Wonder if it will pass as stock.

 
Last edited:
@Warren I don't get the top taking a beating when down... On all alpines and Tigers they should be covered by either the metal covers or on the Sv /ia/ii the vinyl cover... Bit like cheaper or less refined sports cars.

As for the point... I guess in Cali with always nice weather no need for the top to be up too often ;)
 
The road grit gets in everything light colors suck. I had a full tonneau and the stuff blew up under it. The car in question was top down April or May till November. Then sporadically up.
But the fact remains and I did not want to say it BUT.... You have to buy the Robbins Everflex to see what it looks like. It'd bet it doesn't look much like the original top on T.Taylor car that he took to the last United. Clearly the case of while showing some wear it's only original once...
 
Yes, I agree, Mike's frame looks closer to the light grey ( and he says Sv) that i mentioned , but I've seen the earlier cars with darker grey, both on frame and seat frames too.

I suspect Jan might have some input on the correct colour/ colours
I matched the gray seat frame/softtop frame to Nason's color chip library.
Their color code is:
DS017
I recommend their single stage, Acrylic Enamel w/activator over epoxy primer.
Jan
 
Back
Top