Convertible Top

Vintage Motorcars sell the tops, if they have on for $562.69.

I bought one years ago from VS for my CMC was $380 for Haartz cloth the.  VMC has one now for $562.69.  My guess is they use same up top guy as VS did.  DrClock says it is easier to install with their steel top bows - Gordon installed one on CMC using original bows.  I haven't got around to installing mine.

Yours (if origin) was probably the vinyl material.  The Haartz cloth looks richer and should since it cost more.

Convertible Top (Stayfast Cloth) - Vintage Motorcars of California Inc. (vintagemotorcarsinc.com)

@Marshall posted:

I need to replace my convertible roof. The canvas backing behind the vinyl top is cracking and falling apart. I visited an upholsterer and top repair shop today. He said he could look at the top and tell that it was probably over 20 years old. Said he could replace it for probably around $1200 or I could do the research myself and buy one that would fit the car, bring it to him and he would install it and match it up to my snaps.  Said a prefab top would be maybe $700  maybe less  

Does anyone know of any shops that make tops available?  Any leads or advice much appreciated  

Marshall

The person that told you that top is over 20 years old is being, less than truthful.        The top was, purchased new for your speedster from Vintage Motor Cars a couple of months before the car was completed.  Since you store the car outdoors 24/7 with a car cover on it, doing so probably encapsulates the heat of the day within the cabin. This has affected the top and the car really needs to be stored indoors. Your shop guy states that he can replace it for $1,200 but did he tell you, it will leak at the seams ? The Speedster tops are sealed at the stitching, look closely at the underside of the top at the seams, you can see what I am referring to.  His ridiculous $700 labor charge to install a top it will actually take approximately 3 hours to complete the task. Perhaps look for someone a bit more honest.

When I had my 968 top redone, it was $1200, including the ~$300 mid-price Haartz fabric, and that involves two pieces, mounting in the car, with a liner.

Simply cutting and sewing a top should be $300-$400 labor, tops. Fabric ~$100.

I would never have someone make a vinyl top. Haartz or Stayfast is so much more elegant and not that much more expensive.

@Alan Merklin posted:

The person that told you that top is over 20 years old is being, less than truthful.        The top was, purchased new for your speedster from Vintage Motor Cars a couple of months before the car was completed.  Since you store the car outdoors 24/7 with a car cover on it, doing so probably encapsulates the heat of the day within the cabin. This has affected the top and the car really needs to be stored indoors. Your shop guy states that he can replace it for $1,200 but did he tell you, it will leak at the seams ? The Speedster tops are sealed at the stitching, look closely at the underside of the top at the seams, you can see what I am referring to.  His ridiculous $700 labor charge to install a top it will actually take approximately 3 hours to complete the task. Perhaps look for someone a bit more honest.

Hi Alan.  Are you sure about this, something doesn't sound right. The original post says he has a vinyl top backed by canvas and his profile says his car is a FiberFab.  I'd be very surprised if VMC has ever sold a vinyl top.

@Alan Merklin

Alan did a lot of work to this car. I think he's sure.

Have a guy here in hot and humid NW FL that is storing a Saleen Ford Mustang Convertible out in parking lot with a non-breathable cover on it for over a year!  Hope I'm around when he takes the cover off!  Lawn sprinklers hit it near every night.