Another post about hardtops

[RJS]

I just came in possesion of a snugtop hardtop (oakland car from some earlier posts). I will need to replace all the rubber, and maybe the glass (plexi-glass), but the fiberglass looks to be in ok condidtion,

My question:
The clamps or whatever is used to hold the back is missing.

Could anyone who has a hardtop please post pictures of how the top is held down (not the windshield side).



Thanks,
Rob

[jclay (RIP 2018)]

Maybe this is a top from which Tim could make a mold.

[RJS]

Tim and I have sent many e-mails back and forth over the past month or two on the subject. My goal is make a hardtop from my design, but if that does not work this might end up being a template.

Zeke (another poster) and I have been talking about hardtops for quite a while, and this top actually belongs to him (but I could get it here cheap because a friend was coming this way with a truck).

Rob

[Philip]

Sorry, dont have a picture (I will try and take one this evening) but my hardtop is located at the rear by two brackets on each side of the car (four in all) - one on the hardtop and one on the inside of the B pillar just behind the seats. A J shaped bar threaded with a wingnut at one end joins the hardtop bracket to the car bracket. To remove the top I undo the nuts and unhook the J from the body ring. To install the hardtop I align the brackets, hook the clamp onto the body bracket and pass the threaded end through the bracket on the hardtop. I then tighten the nut to pull the hardtop down onto the rear deck.

Still standing !

[RJS]

Just wanted to bump this back to the top.

I am really trying to figure out the best way to attach this without hurting the car.

Rob

[zekow1]

I have an idea
WHy? don't you use super glue?
Or maybethese new glue ,called: Gorilla Glue , That Might do it ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

[ngtf]

Hi Rob

For what it's worth when I bought my hardtop some years ago, it too didn't have any fittings except the front. All I did was make up two 90degree brackets for each side. One bracket on each side is bolted to the inner edge of the roof, the other brackets are mounted to the bolts that hold the convertible roof frame to the "B" posts. These brackets have holes drilled to accept a standard 1/2" coach bolt. Once the roof is lowered onto the car, simply pass a coach bolt between the brackets and secure with a washer and nut. Obviously you still have to use the front fixing handles the same as the convertible roof.

I do leave the brackets fitted to the car when not using the hardtop but have to turn them a little to allow the convertible top to raise without getting in the way. The brackets are only 1" x 1" with holes drilled to accept the bolts.

Hope this helps

Kind regards

Gary

Eeyore rides again !!

EOR14W - Persian Aqua 2L Dhc, Now rebuilt and looking lovely - Sprint engine being prepared!

[NorCal ACR]

I found a description here: http://club.triumph.org.uk/cgi-bin/foru ... 119/s-all/

"I have a TR7 Hard Top. Its a California "snugtop" made by Custom Hard Tops in Long Beach LA. It is fibre glass with a black vinyl covering with an off white padded head lining in excellent condition.
It fits the car in the same way as the hood at the front and via 2 short rubber straps at the rear which attach to the hood frame mounting bolts just behind the doors. No surgery required. The hood can be left stowed with the hard top in place. This Hard Top gives the DHC quite a good coupe look with the rear rake angle being less severe than on the FHC."

The thread includes pics but I don't have access.


Scott

1980 TR7 Spider FI

[jclay (RIP 2018)]

[Philip]

I checked on the car today. The rear J clamps fit into brckats that are bolted onto the hood hinges using the top hinge mounting bolt.


Still standing !

[Philip]

Still standing !

[jclay (RIP 2018)]

OK, stupid question. Could a top be made by cutting the roof off a FHC and welding on the hood header from a DHC?

[jclay (RIP 2018)]

Hard top on eBay, but comes with two cars, one being a Grinnall 2+2!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150292203668&indexURL=4#ebayphotohosting

[RJS]

I have been thinking of hardtops for a long time, and I had thought of cuttion off the top of FHC and finding a way to put on a DHC. I think it would technically be possible, but a LOT of work.

I am playing with the idea of building a custom hardtop from fiberglass. Instead of cutting the top off a FHC, I had considered making a fiberglass mold from a FHC, but in the end I decided it would be easier to just build one from scratch.

Rob

[zekow1]

Phillip
I have one just like yours man, Poseidon Green and Beige,Nice.
I was not to happy with it when I got it, i like it now. The combination is great.
The only thing is that you have the steering wheel on the wrong side Brother!!!!
Do you have pics as clear as the one you just posted on the Hardtop itself???
you know the inside
The hooks
The seals.ETc.
I know its alot to ask,But if you have them??
Take some pics of your car with The top.
Have Fun
Be safe