Cobra Hard Top

[Fisherj14]

Hey guys,

I grew up a fan of the Shelby Cobras and finally pulled the trigger to get one. My wife’s only contingency to getting one is that she wanted to have a hard top for when it is really cold or really hot + heating and air. I’ve found a garage near me that can do the heating/air but it looks like the APE hardtop was sold to another company who may not even be selling them anymore. If anyone knows where I can get a hard top, please let me know.

Thanks guys!

Jeff

[toadster]

http://www.427hardtops.com/ <- this is the way

also expensive, but designed amazingly well!

[danmas]

http://www.427hardtops.com/ <- this is the way

also expensive, but designed amazingly well!

I have this hardtop and can confirm it’s well made. I’m still early in my build. It’s in my storage space. Worth doing in my opinion.

[Fisherj14]

http://www.427hardtops.com/ <- this is the way

also expensive, but designed amazingly well!

I guess the question becomes will this fit a FFR Mark 2. I like these better than the APE ones (the owner did get back with me and they are still making them) that look like they have two bubbles on top instead of the sleek rounded roof.

[Fisherj14]

Also, I wish someone would come up with a 3D printed design that is lightweight but looks more like the 427tops top. I wish I knew how to do that even more.

[JeffP]

I have the 427hardtop. There is a facebook group if you want more info or see what organized group buys may be coming up. Search for "FFR MK4 Hardtop Group Buyers"

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=181438&d=1678570834

[Fisherj14]

I have this hardtop and can confirm it’s well made. I’m still early in my build. It’s in my storage space. Worth doing in my opinion.

I inquired about this top and unfortunately it won’t fit my Mark II….I did like the looks of this one better.

[CraigS]

Admittedly this would be a bit of a risk but I will throw this into the discussion for what it is worth. I had an APE top that fit just fine on my MkII until I did the drop butt mod. That mod gives the body behind the seats a profile a lot like the MkIV. I dropped it the full distance of the space between the two bolts (on each side) that mount the body at the very back. About 2.5 inches. The body bends at the rear fender flares about half way up from the rocker area to the top of the wheel opening..
190795
You could attach that top, and move the rear of the body up and down to get the best fit. It can easily move from the stock MkII position to at least 4 inches lower. This is the gap that appeared at the back of the APE top which I filled w/ black foam.
190796

[Fisherj14]

I have the 427hardtop. There is a facebook group if you want more info or see what organized group buys may be coming up. Search for "FFR MK4 Hardtop Group Buyers"

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=181438&d=1678570834

That is a sweet car. I do like the rounded back of the 427hardtop better than the APE. Shame you can’t get that one on a Mark II.

[Fisherj14]

Admittedly this would be a bit of a risk but I will throw this into the discussion for what it is worth. I had an APE top that fit just fine on my MkII until I did the drop butt mod. That mod gives the body behind the seats a profile a lot like the MkIV. I dropped it the full distance of the space between the two bolts (on each side) that mount the body at the very back. About 2.5 inches. The body bends at the rear fender flares about half way up from the rocker area to the top of the wheel opening..
190795
You could attach that top, and move the rear of the body up and down to get the best fit. It can easily move from the stock MkII position to at least 4 inches lower. This is the gap that appeared at the back of the APE top which I filled w/ black foam.
190796

Thanks!

[Fisherj14]

So, is the consensus that you can’t get a soft top that is waterproof?

[Jeff Kleiner]

So, is the consensus that you can’t get a soft top that is waterproof?

Define "waterproof". As Ralph Button says about the soft top "You'll get less wet" ;) The same can be said about the hardtops---the side windows do not provide the same kind of watertight seal that we're used to in our daily drivers.

Jeff

[Fisherj14]

Define "waterproof". As Ralph Button says about the soft top "You'll get less wet" ;) The same can be said about the hardtops---the side windows do not provide the same kind of watertight seal that we're used to in our daily drivers.

Jeff

I guess I would define waterproof as nothing inside the car getting wet. I thought I read where people were having good luck with hard tops not having leaks inside the car? Maybe I read that wrong.

[Fisherj14]

This particular top says that water leaks come from the top being incorrectly fitted during installation.

https://www.cabriosupply.com/fabric-convertible-top-sun-fastr-ac-cobra-beige-beige?gclid=CjwKCAjw9-6oBhBaEiwAHv1QvOEKaJ2T1r8IswVKlckStH6tJYQigIBSKeGw X-_ZJ105VfC8WQs2ShoCYc0QAvD_BwE

[DW66]

I have soft top experience. Its not necessarily the top, its more the drivers side windshield post and my windshield leaks between the frame and the glass. My guess would be with a hard top you will still be chasing leaks. I totally agree with Ralph Button as Jeff stated. A little water leaking in is part of the experience. When my wife and I take trips she compares it to camping. She can't bring much and is going to get wet:;)

Dave

[Fisherj14]

Thanks for all of the replies!