How to fit a Hardtop?
Posted By : Kevin Rochfort, 26-Jan-2006, 11:35pm
It is highly probable that the car has sagged over time.
What are the door gaps like ?
Have the sills been replaced ?
When was a hardtop last fitted to the car ?
My hardtop fits like a glove - it goes straight on, and all the bolts line up perfectly every time, but the body tub on my Spitfire is structurally solid, with no rust, no welding, no sill replacements, and perfect door gaps.
I've helped other people fit hardtops, and they have been a nightmare. On one occasion, we had to resort to a trolley jack under the centre of the car to remove the sag - the windscreen pillars ware very strong, so it wasn't a big worry, and once the hardtop was fitted, the doors opened and closed much more easilly.
What are the door gaps like ?
Have the sills been replaced ?
When was a hardtop last fitted to the car ?
My hardtop fits like a glove - it goes straight on, and all the bolts line up perfectly every time, but the body tub on my Spitfire is structurally solid, with no rust, no welding, no sill replacements, and perfect door gaps.
I've helped other people fit hardtops, and they have been a nightmare. On one occasion, we had to resort to a trolley jack under the centre of the car to remove the sag - the windscreen pillars ware very strong, so it wasn't a big worry, and once the hardtop was fitted, the doors opened and closed much more easilly.
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How to fit a Hardtop?
Posted By : Stephen Pratt, 27-Jan-2006, 08:57am
Hi Kevin, thanks for the response, The door gaps seem fine and they close OK, that is until I fitted new door cards last week, now they need a bit of a 'slam'! The car was rebuilt 9 years ago and had new sills fitted then, the previous owner never fitted the hardtop - now I know why! When I bought the car I collected the H/T seperately on the back seat of my everyday car from his sisters house where it had resided since he bought the Spitfire from the gentlemen that rebuilt it. It did fit then! I am slightly suspicious of the windscreen frame though as it looks like some filler was used in this area during the rebuild, and the side windows foul the frame at the top when fully wound up. I am therefore reluctant to force the hardtop into its position in case this causes flexing of the frame and and cracking of the existing filler (at least until I can afford some decent restoration in this area) - the trolley jack idea sounds tempting though! - guess I'm destined to soft top only motoring which I'm quite happy about, it just seemed a shame not to use a perfectly decent factory steel hardtop during the winter.-
How to fit a Hardtop?
Posted By : Andrew Stanton, 27-Jan-2006, 08:28pm
At times like this it pays to be philosopical.
Your explanation as to why it doesn't fit sounds wholly plausible. You've run it up the flag pole, and I, for one, am prepared to salute it. If you are reconciled to the idea that you might need a major renovation of the windscreen to correct the situation, that A. you're not sure you can afford, and B you have no idea whether it will correct the problem, then fall back on the notion that you're happy to drive it topless.
The decision is yours, Do you plan to get this up to A1 standard and better? If not, then good solid hardtops can command a respectable price on Ebay. With the proceeds you can acquire a decent tonneau cover, and have some money spare to lavish on other little features the old banger is perhaps in need of.
You get hold of some ready's to continue your rolling rennovation, and some other soul gets a first rate hard top which actually fits their car.-
How to fit a Hardtop?
Posted By : Stephen Pratt, 28-Jan-2006, 08:39am
Thanks for your comments Andy, you're right, use the proceeds from the hardtop to go towards something for the Spit, I already have a good tonneau but the rear window in the hood has split in the cold weather so I could use the money to contribute to a new hood! On the other hand, anyone tried making a Targa top out of a hardtop?
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