the convertible top question, once again

75coug · Post by **75coug** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:44 pm

I know that we have touched on this issue previously, but with the passage of time, things may change and I therefore am broaching the subject again.

Henry charges $750 for a new top. I would not mind paying that kind of money if I knew that I was getting something that was new and in perfect condition. These are NOS, manufactured 20+ years ago, right? In what kind of shape are they after all this time? Are the windows yellowed?

Cabrioworld charges $500 for a canvas top.

http://www.cabrioworld.com/secure/detai ... odelID=711

As we can see from their photo of the, uh, '86 Mustang McLaren, they are a bit confused over there. Will the top that they sell for the '86 Mustang McLaren fit an '86 Capri properly?

And what about EZ-ON? Others have testified previously that their tops are good. When I went to their website, however, I could not find a McLaren top and so far they have not been responsive to my e-mail.

Experiences, thoughts and opinions would be appreciated.

(Sandy, I know your position on stitching and the like. At this point, though, I am more concerned with getting a top that is in top notch condition and can reasonably be expected to fit properly.)

88-254 · Post by **88-254** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 5:44 pm

We have just purchased a new top for the 90 vert from Hank. It is NOS, 18 years old. It is vinyl as he told us they used vinyl on the 89's and 90"s so the price was less than for the cloth. We have not installed it yet, but have looked it over. It appears to be in fine shape and Jim said the windows are not yellow. The current top on it is only a year old, made by another company, but the previous owner managed to put a about a 1/4 inch tear in it. It could be repaired. We decided to order a new one from Hank while he still had some.

I would not worry about ordering from Hank if you aren't happy with something when it arrives. He will refund your money or send a different of whatever it was. I know this to be true from experience. Ordered new visors for my 88 in scarlet, and the ones that came not as nice as I wanted, so back they went, no problem.

Cindy

75coug · Post by **75coug** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 5:52 pm

Thank you for the input, Cindy.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 6:03 pm

Oops, NO 1989s left ascMcLaren with a vinyl top ! PERIOD !

ONLY Oxford White 1990 tops, were vinyl.

I would indeed care about the stitching pattern. Cabro World tops have totally in error stitch pattern and are all "off" colorwise, except for Black and the Dark Blue. Their Brown is way off, as is the Tan.

I definately would go with Hank, hands down !

75coug · Post by **75coug** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 6:17 pm

I certainly understand your position, Sandy. In my case, however, there are already plenty of non-stock aspects of my car for folks here to pick apart (due to previous owners, not I). Whether the stitching and color are exactly right is of little consequence.

If I had a totally stock car, it would be a different story.

Post by **negusm** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 6:20 pm

Sandy wrote:Oops, NO 1989s left ascMcLaren with a vinyl top ! PERIOD !

Uh oh. You better school Hank on this then. Sounds like Hank says otherwise.

-Mike

88-254 · Post by **88-254** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:29 pm

Before you "school" Hank, It is possible I could have misunderstood Hank.

I would think that is probably what happened, more likely, than Hank being wrong. Since Snowball is all white, and therefore would have vinyl, maybe I thought he said all of the second series. Sorry, thanks for the correction, Sandy. Thank goodness, someone can keep it all straight.

Cindy

And 75coug, You are very welcome. Hank is a good guy, I have found from my experience.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 12:41 am

SCHOOL

Tops: 1987 / Atlantic Blue; Tan, Black - All Cloth

`1988 / Above + Claret Wine - Cloth

1989 / Above + Dark Brown - Cloth

1990 / Dark Brown Dropped, others retained, White Vinyl Added.

CAPRI ROOFS:-

BLACK, TAN, ATLANTIC BLUE FOR 86 & 85; TAN OR ATLANTIC BLUE FOR 84 All Cloth.

svo413 · Post by **svo413** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:14 pm

I bought a new top for my 85 last year from Hank. It looks to be dated about 89. It looked new in everyway except for the box it came in. Unfortunately the local shop I entrusted to put it on did a so so job. It seems to be short behind the doors leaving a gap at the tonneau cover. I went with a guy who had done one once verses the one guy who never saw one. I don't know if the top was short or the guy had a less experienced worker do it.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:34 pm

I have been told that the tops are extremely difficult to get "just so" ~ meaning Just Perfect. Biggest problem is at the rear, where the roof sits upon the tonneau cover. There is frequently a gap, or a gap larger than the factory roof instal was.
I do not know why. I have seen it many many times, mostly in photos, also in person a few times. One installer told me that they are "a bear to get just right" ~

Kentennis · Post by **Kentennis** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:49 pm

I find the top fits better if I put the back down first and then latch the front. Might just be this vehicle but it sure holds down better.

Ken Tennis
Hudson, Fl

86 ASCMcLaren Convert.
80 Corvette L82
65 Thunderbird Special Landau

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:45 pm

U R correct, Ken! That is the correct way

Havoc · Post by **Havoc** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:35 pm

Yea I think my top has been replaced by the previous owner and I cant keep the back hook fastend in. For the most part I keep the top down anyway but if I'm out and it rains its a pain.

dahberg · Post by **dahberg** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:17 am

mrheehee · Post by **mrheehee** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 6:49 pm

Does anyone know where to get a look at the various tops that are available?

My concern is with the size and placement of the quarter windows.

The top on this one is made by Electron Top Mfg, according to the owner:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0260622604

ascMcLaren Enthusiasts

the convertible top question, once again

the convertible top question, once again

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