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Topic: Ragtop thoughts??  (Read 3969 times)

Offline wbulick76

  • Harrison, TN
  • Joined: Aug 2012
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Ragtop thoughts??

« on: December 31, 2012, 09:27:07 PM »
Alright, I love my '63, but the one thing it's missing that I have always wanted on one is a ragtop. Having thoughts about adding one. My roof is pretty beat up anyways from being used as the previous owners storage shelf while it sat for the past few decades in his garage. I've looked at some used roof clips, but 400-500 for a rough piece that still needs all the top components replaced does not thrill me. Has anybody see anything from this company or hopefully used them? http://www.slidingragtops.com/18.html
I understand it is not going to look 100% original, and I am fine with that. Just wondered about quality etc. Thanks guys!

Bill

Offline volksnick

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Re: Ragtop thoughts??

« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2012, 10:05:05 PM »
looks interesting. I would say it would fun, but I'd be careful what was installed and how it was installed. I'm by no means a purist (I cut the roof out to put a hightop on my bus...), BUT you have an older bug and those are getting more and more rare. Lots of people will say to sell it and get what you want just to preserve this one for someone else... I went back and read your original posts introducing yourself and you noted that you wanted to take it back to stock, which doesn't include a sliding ragtop.

If you are going to put one in this car, I'd say go a head, but be aware that as the prices go up on older bugs, the buyers will become more educated and won't be as excited about an aftermarket ragtop grafted in. It depends on what your plans are and if you are going to try to sell in the near future. If you are going to enjoy it for 5-10 years, go for it!

Offline Zen

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  • LaFayette, GA
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Re: Ragtop thoughts??

« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2012, 10:11:54 PM »
It looks like a decent kit.  I can't tell you anything about that particular company's products, but I have seen quite a few aftermarket ragtops.  Some looked great but most looked VERY aftermarket.  Every one of the good ones I've seen had one thing in common -- they were installed from underneath the roof, which is how the one you are looking at installs.

A friend of mine installed one his 63 Bug 10 or 15 years ago.  It could be installed from the top (quick and easy, but looked aftermarket) or installed from the bottom and blended in (much more work, but much better results).  He did it the right way and installed it from the bottom.  Once he got the frame installed and blended in, it looked "factory" to the untrained eye.  I don't remember the brand he used, but the company went out of business not long after he bought his kit.  Too bad.  It was a great looking top.

Offline wbulick76

  • Harrison, TN
  • Joined: Aug 2012
  • Posts: 33

Re: Ragtop thoughts??

« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2012, 10:25:18 PM »
Yeah, going in from the bottom I think is the ticket. Looked at a company called "Street Beat" which came in from the top or bottom, and didn't look as good. Saw some terrible reviews on theres on the samba. I plan on keeping the car, so I'm building it for me. If I was going to do it just to re-sell, I wouldn't even consider doing it. I'm sure the purists will cringe and give me some static, but I've never been one to build cars to suit others.

Offline Zen

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  • LaFayette, GA
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Re: Ragtop thoughts??

« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2013, 12:06:12 AM »
Yeah, going in from the bottom I think is the ticket. Looked at a company called "Street Beat" which came in from the top or bottom, and didn't look as good. Saw some terrible reviews on theres on the samba. I plan on keeping the car, so I'm building it for me. If I was going to do it just to re-sell, I wouldn't even consider doing it. I'm sure the purists will cringe and give me some static, but I've never been one to build cars to suit others.

If the time ever came to sell it and a "purist" wanted it, there is always the option of grafting on a "correct" ragtop.  Stay FAR away from Street Beat.  Every one of their tops I've ever seen (I haven't seen hundreds of them, but I've have seen a few) looked pretty crappy and everyone I've ever talked to about them complained about them leaking.

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