Whitby Motors Mk4 Soft Top

[Doc76]

Anyone have any experience with this top?

Pictures and experiences appreciated.

[ehansen007]

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?37768-SOFT-TOP-Whitby-FFR-or-other

[CraigS]

I just read through some of ehansen007's link. I am really surprised at how many people don't want liftadot fastners. I grew up in the 60s. I owned 2 AH Sprites and 1 Midget. Brother had an MGA. Friends had Healy 3000 and 100-4, TR3s, TR4s, MGBs, and Spitfires. Most of those cars had liftadots. They were just plain normal.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Lifadot or not is a moot point now that Rod Tops is no longer making them Whitby is the only game in town.

Jeff

[Blitzboy54]

One of the guys in the local club has a top. I always thought I wanted one because I live in the NE. When I sat in it, I realized how much of the experience is seeing around the windshield. I was in a little tunnel. I didn’t like it. Rather just not drive in bad weather.

[john42]

One of the guys in the local club has a top. I always thought I wanted one because I live in the NE. When I sat in it, I realized how much of the experience is seeing around the windshield. I was in a little tunnel. I didn’t like it. Rather just not drive in bad weather.

I'd rather not drive in bad weather too! That choice has been made for me, more than a few times. If I could put a top on my car I would... but I can't so I get really soaked.

[DW66]

My top extends my driving season by 8-10 weeks and makes the cold mornings much more bearable. I know I'm old but when its in the 30's I'd rather have my top on windows in and heat on. Windows come out easy when it warms up in the afternoon. John I know you would do a top but you are a trooper either way (Witnessed it). I highly recommend any top if you plan on a lot of driving. I've seen and read about the Whitby Top and I would do it no problem if I didn't have the Rod Top already.

Dave

[JohnnyB]

One of the guys in the local club has a top. I always thought I wanted one because I live in the NE. When I sat in it, I realized how much of the experience is seeing around the windshield. I was in a little tunnel. I didn’t like it. Rather just not drive in bad weather.

Even with Whitby’s top I try to avoid rain. It keeps you less wet but serious rain storms are always a nail biter. I can’t ever recall leaving the house when it was raining but it’s always nice to have a roof over your head on marginal days. Where a top really shines is extending the driving season into the fall and even winter and as a sun block for extended drives on hot days. I left mine on all summer this year.

Doc76, Whitby’s top is a nice well-made product. I’ve used mine for 13 years and it’s holding up great. I haven’t had any issues with the Liftadots other than some trepidation installing them on a completed car. Measure twice and drill carefully.

[Doc76]

One of the guys in the local club has a top. I always thought I wanted one because I live in the NE. When I sat in it, I realized how much of the experience is seeing around the windshield. I was in a little tunnel. I didn’t like it. Rather just not drive in bad weather.

Totally hear ya….however….living in Western Canada our window of opportunity is super narrow without one. Also, I am in a valley where the weather changes from one end to the other so having one would greatly lengthen my driving season :)

[EK1965]

I picked up a whitby top last year in large part because I wanted an effective tonneau as well so gave in to body side studs but used Loxx rather than lift the dot. They are smaller and I prefer the operating action. Two cautions. First, I ended up shortening the hoop as it was far to tight to stretch the canvas canvas over the hoop and fasten the snap. Second, don't overstress the main hoop fore & aft when fitting it or else you may spiderweb the body where the ferrule goes into the deck. I am going to build up the underside of the body and reinforce with a piece of aluminum to spread out the force.

Like Doc said, here in Toronto our season is short and there is a risk of rain on any given day. For me, the top is for sun protection and the tonneau is rain protection while waiting for the weather to pass.

[GrooveM]

Another thought would be a hard top. The Mark IV's look amazing with the 427hartdtops. https://www.427hardtops.com/ Unfortunately for me they will ONLY fit on the Mark IV's and not my Mark I and according to the owner they cannot be retrofitted either. :(

[Norm B]

Here are a few pictures with the top installed and one to show the lift dots. I made my own side curtains to increase visibility out the sides.

Norm

[Blitzboy54]

Another thought would be a hard top. The Mark IV's look amazing with the 427hartdtops. https://www.427hardtops.com/ Unfortunately for me they will ONLY fit on the Mark IV's and not my Mark I and according to the owner they cannot be retrofitted either. :(

They also require you to shorten the roll bars.

[Doc76]

Here are a few pictures with the top installed and one to show the lift dots. I made my own side curtains to increase visibility out the sides.

Norm

Hey Norm
I think that looks great!

Is that the Whitby?
Did you have to shorten your hoops? (I’d rather not if possible)
How long have you had it?
How long does it take to “on-off”?

[Norm B]

It is a Whitby top and I have had it for 10 years. Bought it of a forum member who had it listed in the classifieds. Didn’t have to shorten any hoops but, it is critical that the windshield is set at the correct angle and distance from the rear of the door opening.
Had to make a short extension for the rear hoop. Might have been caused by my dual roll bars or the FFR roll bar change with the MK IV.
Takes about ten minutes to take it off and put on. That will be shortened when I change the mounts for the wind wings. Right now they have to be removed for the top to go on. I have a plan for that, but it’s one of those projects I just haven’t got to yet.

Norm

[Doc76]

What’s the correct angle?
Trying to gauge the workload to installing this.

[John4337]

Here are a few pictures with the top installed and one to show the lift dots. I made my own side curtains to increase visibility out the sides.

Norm

Norm, the windows came out great, having done mine, I know they're a chore.

John

[Norm B]

Doc, the top comes partially assembled. You have to install the snaps and glue the top to the front bows and trim as required. That part is basically a one shot deal. The really intimidating factor is drilling large diameter holes in the body and doors for the grommets that the top frame fits into. I did mine during the body work stage and reinforced the areas where those holes had to go. Drilling into a nicely painted car would significantly increase the “interest” factor.

Norm

[Norm B]

Thanks John, it was a lot of looking at pictures and trial and error to get the windows the correct shape and functional.

Norm