427 Hardtop

[Madfor67]

I organized the Southwest region group buy for the 427 Hardtops 5 months ago and successfully completed the group buy last week (from production to delivery takes 5~6 months on average based on the past 3 group buys). As I install my hardtop I will use this thread to document the process.

Quality of this thing is top notch. A lot of things come pre-assembled, so it won’t take much to complete the assembly. Only thing I’m bummed out about is that Breeze rollbar is about 1.5~2” too tall for this hardtop. Since my rebuild is 95% complete and the rollbar welded and chrome dipped already, I’ll have to sell my Breeze rollbar and get a new one to chop about 2 inches.

FYI, I put the hardtop on someone else’s (acquaintance) FFR cobra body. Mine is the blue one, so I’ll have an extra challenge of installing the hardtop on a painted body…174789174790174791174792174793

[Badfish]

Wow, awesome. Can’t wait to see the final product!

[Madfor67]

Some of you are wondering about the price. Total cost was High $4000's through a group buy, and I estimate that it's gonna come out to high $5000's or mid $6000's if you buy it alone. It's also currency-dependent (GBP vs. USD) since they are located in Great Britain.

[dbo_texas]

Some of you are wondering about the price. Total cost was High $4000's through a group buy, and I estimate that it's gonna come out to high $5000's or mid $6000's if you buy it alone. It's also currency-dependent (GBP vs. USD) since they are located in Great Britain.

That $4K sounds pretty good IMO. In comparison the MK4 premium soft top from FFR is currently priced $3,400 so for the hard top, not really that much more. You will need to do a little body work + paint on the hard top so that will add some cost as well.
https://www.factoryfiveparts.com/15199-premium-mk4-convertible-soft-top/

[Madfor67]

You are right. I forgot about the price of a soft top. I can't wait for Walter at A1 to paint and install it.


That $4K sounds pretty good IMO. In comparison the MK4 premium soft top from FFR is currently priced $3,400 so for the hard top, not really that much more. You will need to do a little body work + paint on the hard top so that will add some cost as well.
https://www.factoryfiveparts.com/15199-premium-mk4-convertible-soft-top/

[dbo_texas]

You are right. I forgot about the price of a soft top. I can't wait for Walter at A1 to paint and install it.
I'm still bummed I missed out on that SW region order. I'm in Austin and would love to get my hands on one of these hard tops. If any of your group buyers has a change of heart, send them my way. I'm also hoping to bring mine to Walter @ A1 in Houston when the time comes. Make sure to post plenty of pics.

[Madfor67]

Anyone can start a group buy. You just have to exchange a few emails with the owner, Andy, at 427 Hardtops, and just need to recruit 4 people including you. Heck, if there are enough people interested, I might organize another one.


I'm still bummed I missed out on that SW region order. I'm in Austin and would love to get my hands on one of these hard tops. If any of your group buyers has a change of heart, send them my way. I'm also hoping to bring mine to Walter @ A1 in Houston when the time comes. Make sure to post plenty of pics.

[bil1024]

I am interested, on east Coast

[CraigS]

Mine was an APE hard top but I had similar concern about the paint. What I did was super carefully set it on the car. Then I used masking tape on the body to mark the outside edge of the top. Pulled the top and used clear bra material cut to fit so it's outside edge was against the inside edge of the masking tape. The APE top has a wide flange so my clear bra 'tape' was 2 inches wide.

[Madfor67]

Mine was an APE hard top but I had similar concern about the paint. What I did was super carefully set it on the car. Then I used masking tape on the body to mark the outside edge of the top. Pulled the top and used clear bra material cut to fit so it's outside edge was against the inside edge of the masking tape. The APE top has a wide flange so my clear bra 'tape' was 2 inches wide.

Good idea. Although 427 Hardtop has a soft rubber lining all around the bottom area, I was thinking about putting a PPF film to protect the paint from rubbing scratches.

[JeffP]

Good idea. Although 427 Hardtop has a soft rubber lining all around the bottom area, I was thinking about putting a PPF film to protect the paint from rubbing scratches.

I curious why he put that rubber seal on.. the few months it was stored in my garage it started falling off, and of course my painter hand to remove it all to pain it. now i need to find something to replace it with.

[Avalanche325]

Good idea. Although 427 Hardtop has a soft rubber lining all around the bottom area, I was thinking about putting a PPF film to protect the paint from rubbing scratches.

I would. I have a soft top and even with the soft rubber, it takes a toll on the paint.

That is a nice looking hard top. It doesn't fit the FFR rollbars at standard height?

[Madfor67]

I curious why he put that rubber seal on.. the few months it was stored in my garage it started falling off, and of course my painter hand to remove it all to pain it. now i need to find something to replace it with.

Yikes, I had the same thought. It does have to come out for painting. I guess I'll look into an alternative... Thanks for the heads up.

[Madfor67]

I would. I have a soft top and even with the soft rubber, it takes a toll on the paint.

That is a nice looking hard top. It doesn't fit the FFR rollbars at standard height?

Even Breeze's rollbar is an inch or two too tall. We are talking about 11.5"~12" total height.

[Holland375]

Not one of those hard tops. Mine is a little different.176808176809

[Holland375]

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[JeffP]

FYI, if you have the newer lid it doesn’t fit with the top, this is a great snag for an older lid.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?43690-Free-Mk4-trunk-lid&p=513084#post513084

[Jeff Kleiner]

FYI, if you have the newer lid it doesn’t fit with the top, this is a great snag for an older lid.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?43690-Free-Mk4-trunk-lid&p=513084#post513084

Curious about this. In what way does it not fit? The only thing changed on the post July 2019 trunk lids is that the license plate lamp pad was moved up about 3/4” (I’ve had them side by side several times). From what I have seen in photos it doesn’t appear that the 427 top extends far enough rearward to be affected by this. Can you elaborate, preferably with photos?

Jeff

[JeffP]

Curious about this. In what way does it not fit? The only thing changed on the post July 2019 trunk lids is that the license plate lamp pad was moved up about 3/4” (I’ve had them side by side several times). From what I have seen in photos it doesn’t appear that the 427 top extends far enough rearward to be affected by this. Can you elaborate, preferably with photos?

Jeff

Original fit was pretty snug up against the plate holder, so that 3/4" was enough to cause problems.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=177541&d=1672668187

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=177540&d=1672668187

My fix...

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=177542&d=1672668494

[i.e.427]

We have 1 or 2 of the older style Mk4 trunk lids and a few Mk3 brand new trunk lids here in storage. If anyone is looking for one you can contact us at:

i.e.427garage@gmail.com

[JeffP]

I'm still bummed I missed out on that SW region order. I'm in Austin and would love to get my hands on one of these hard tops. If any of your group buyers has a change of heart, send them my way. I'm also hoping to bring mine to Walter @ A1 in Houston when the time comes. Make sure to post plenty of pics.

Someone just listed one for sale in houston on the FB builder group if you're looking. Brand new, just decided against it.

[David Hodgkins]

Anyone can start a group buy. You just have to exchange a few emails with the owner, Andy, at 427 Hardtops, and just need to recruit 4 people including you. Heck, if there are enough people interested, I might organize another one.

You can't do that here. They are not a Supporting Vendor.

:)

[Real Time]

I am interested, on east Coast

Just received my kit last week.
Not really in a rush at this pojnt but I'm in New York and interested as well.

George

[Real Time]

[QUOTE=JeffP;513098]Original fit was pretty snug up against the plate holder, so that 3/4" was enough to cause problems.

Hi Jeff,
I just received my Mk4 kit.
I am interested in the 427 top.
How did your mod work out for fit?
George

[JeffP]

[QUOTE=JeffP;513098]Original fit was pretty snug up against the plate holder, so that 3/4" was enough to cause problems.

Hi Jeff,
I just received my Mk4 kit.
I am interested in the 427 top.
How did your mod work out for fit?
George

Its in final paint right now, so hope to have it back in the next week or two and can take some pictures.