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Topic: replacing convertible top  (Read 5382 times)

Offline virgo062

  • Rossville GA
  • Joined: May 2008
  • Posts: 634

replacing convertible top

« on: September 29, 2008, 01:26:19 PM »
Rick says absolutly, no way he's replacing FeeBees top. I called Grants and they want $1900.00. Anyone replaced a convertible top on a Super? It does not appear to be that hard :wink: .  If i can't do it myself or have it done a WHOLE lot cheaper FeeBee does not get a new top.

Offline Zen

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  • LaFayette, GA
  • Joined: Dec 2001
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replacing convertible top

« Reply #1 on: September 29, 2008, 08:21:05 PM »
I've replaced one on a 75 . . . It wasn't too bad, but we were heading to Florida the next morning and I couldn't re-use the headliner like I thought I was going to . . . we made one from two cheap vinyl table cloths from Wal-Mart, it worked, well, it sort'a worked.  Then I tried to cut out my own padding from some heavy non-woven fabric we used to make at work . . . that also "sort'a" worked.   It would have worked better if there had been padding there I could have used for patterns.  Then I broke the rear window insert.  Also, my instruction book that came with the top ended on page 5 . . . the book ended, but instructions didn't.  I think there were supposed to be 2 or 3 more pages . . . I couldn't wait until the next Monday morning and call the place I bought if from 'cause we were leaving for FL Sunday . . . so I just had to figure it out as best I could.  Considering everything, it didn't turn out "that" bad . . . it was a definite improvement over what was there and it only set us back the cost of the top . . . I think it was about $150.  It needs a new top again, and I'll probably do it myself . . . but this time I won't try to do it one day when I have to drive the car the next.   :wink:

Offline virgo062

  • Rossville GA
  • Joined: May 2008
  • Posts: 634

replacing convertible top

« Reply #2 on: September 29, 2008, 08:27:20 PM »
OMG Zen you really scare me :shock:

Offline virgo062

  • Rossville GA
  • Joined: May 2008
  • Posts: 634

replacing convertible top

« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2008, 09:38:46 AM »
really what I would like to do is buy the new top and have someone put it on for me. I thought $1900.00 was a little high but what do I know.

Offline Bugnut

  • padded cell.
  • Joined: Aug 2005
  • Posts: 2953

replacing convertible top

« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2008, 11:08:08 AM »
Vert tops are a pain! Any mistakes in the installation will certainly haunt you on rainey days.  There's good reason the price is high, very few people will do them and after they do it they wont do anymore. $1900 is a bit high but not insane.

Offline virgo062

  • Rossville GA
  • Joined: May 2008
  • Posts: 634

replacing convertible top

« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2008, 11:59:51 AM »
Oh poopie.....That's not the answer I was looking for :( Maybe next year. But thanks for the information just the same at least now I know what I'm up against.

Offline Bugnut

  • padded cell.
  • Joined: Aug 2005
  • Posts: 2953

replacing convertible top

« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2008, 12:38:03 PM »
First find all the stuff you need,do some research the cheapest part may not be the best and so on. Collect up all your parts then go shopping for an installer. If a shop buys it and they are not a vw shop chances are the price will be higher. The shop you mentioned did a 69 vert of a guy Iknow. They swore they would never do another,so yeah they know. :lol: They had his car for about a month. :lol:

Offline virgo062

  • Rossville GA
  • Joined: May 2008
  • Posts: 634

replacing convertible top

« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2008, 12:45:18 PM »
Dang it....I got a brand new motor cheaper than that. David you are in the wrong business buddy :lol: I will have to save my penny's but it will be worth it :D

Offline Bugnut

  • padded cell.
  • Joined: Aug 2005
  • Posts: 2953

replacing convertible top

« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2008, 02:05:21 PM »
I've done a 68 vert before not sure how much diffrent yours is. Start getting all your goodies together. Who knows you might catch someone in need of some cash and talk them into it. I'm not volunteering but who knows everyone does somthin crazy every now and again. :lol:

Offline virgo062

  • Rossville GA
  • Joined: May 2008
  • Posts: 634

replacing convertible top

« Reply #9 on: September 30, 2008, 02:08:22 PM »
I'm on it. Maybe we could have a replace the top party. The last time I had a deck built I called it a party, we all ate and drank beer had a good time. if you call something a party people just show up :lol:

Offline Bugnut

  • padded cell.
  • Joined: Aug 2005
  • Posts: 2953

replacing convertible top

« Reply #10 on: September 30, 2008, 08:30:31 PM »
I'd disguse the party name any mention of a vert top will send everyone runnin for the hills! :lol:

Offline virgo062

  • Rossville GA
  • Joined: May 2008
  • Posts: 634

replacing convertible top

« Reply #11 on: September 30, 2008, 08:47:13 PM »
:occasion5: FREE BEER :occasion5:

Offline Ret.Bugtech

replacing convertible top

« Reply #12 on: October 01, 2008, 08:07:44 AM »
Heck No !!   I'm not in the wrong business.  I'm smarter than that.  I helped to put a new top on a '67 vert.   A matter of fact I helped putting two tops on , My first and my last.  Like "Dirty Harry" said , A man needs to know his limitations.  I had a friend that loved to put tops on,but he couldn't build a engine that would run 24 hrs.
       Save your $$$$$ and have it done by a pro and be done with it.  I had a sign in our shop years ago that stated " We rather explane the price and not have to apologize for poor quality"
        End of story 8)

Offline Anthony

  • In front of the computer
  • Joined: Dec 2001
  • Posts: 1136

replacing convertible top

« Reply #13 on: October 01, 2008, 02:17:26 PM »
I did a Ghia top including headliner and padding. It can be done, but with much patience, time, and a dry place to keep the car. You also spend more time at Hancock's Fabrics and the army surplus store (some kind of parachute straps that matched the bow straps perfectly) than you'd think!

Don't have anyone do it that hasn't done one before. These are NOT like American or English tops!

My Spitfire=2 hours
My Ghia= 2 WEEKS

I might be up for a party, though!

Offline Bugnut

  • padded cell.
  • Joined: Aug 2005
  • Posts: 2953

replacing convertible top

« Reply #14 on: October 01, 2008, 03:25:30 PM »
It's definetly not an easy job. Anyone that says they can get it done fast is either lying or hasn't done one. Not fun at all. There's a reason it cost so much. :lol:

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