Just added a new soft top

[TigerBill]

Purchased the soft top for emergencies in case I ran into rain. Looks better than I thought and will therefore be using it more than I thought.

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[wallace18]

Looks fantastic! Goes well with your paint scheme IMO.

[Tom Veale]

TigerBill, You're going to love that top. There are a lot of days when I want to take a drive but without the top I'd hesitate. There are a lot of days when the sun's out full and I want to take a long drive but would have to sun-screen every square inch of my scalp to do so. That top gets me out driving far more often than I did without it.

[TigerBill]

Agree Tom. Its nice. Good headroom. Sturdy construction. You do have to install your side mirrors though. With no top plenty of visibility. Not so with the top. However I think it's slightly better visibility than the hard top due to the bigger back window.

[Niagara Dave]

It looks awesome! Did you get the side panels?

[TigerBill]

Yes I did. Another $500. They fit pretty good. Not convenient for normal use but will be good in the rain.

[Carolina Hot Rod]

Hey Bill
Looks great! Maybe you could bring it to Good Guys in Charlotte.

Matt Arns

[Barrel]

It does look very sharp Bill. I imagine that to get that tight fit the roof pulls back on the windscreen frame somewhat. Were any mods to the frame necessary? Very nice car all round. Congrats.

[TigerBill]

Thanks Barrel. The way this is designed the force on the windscreen is actually pushing it towards the front. After putting the frame together and fitting the canvas the back edge of the assembly is sort of hovering above the body. Two tensioners in the back corners are used to spread the frame at that point pushing the rear down on the body (sealing it) and pushing the frame in front of the tensioner foward. Thus stretching the canvas. But even at that the forces aren't extreme. You need to drill and tap four small holes in the windshield frame but mine came with that already done. Then a 1/2" hole in each door posts right above the hinges. This is the main attachment point and pivot point. I reinforced the underside with some layers of fiberglass just for some extra strength. Those are the only holes needed except some snaps on the windshield frame if you get the side curtains. It's a well designed unit. Go to the rod tops web site and view the installation manual for more info. Have to order through FFR though.

[galema33]

I got the top for mine to allow use in less than perfect weather but ended up liking the looks so much that so far I have not removed it. Maybe this summer it will come off.

[TigerBill]

Me too galema33! I see you're in TN (Nashville Area). I'm in Kingsport, TN. Maybe we can met up at the NSRA in Knoxville in early May. That's about half way. There's another HR33 in Greenville, TN.