Convertible top questions
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 2
From: Pasadena, Maryland
Convertible top questions
I recently bought a 1999 Cobra convertible. It still has the original top and it looks its age. I've never changed out a top before so I guess my question is ''is this a DIY project''. My local upholstery guy wants 1400 to do the job. I found tops online for 450 bucks though. I tried searching the many Mustang forums but i really didnt find what i was looking for. I know FTE is chock full of car Gods so I thought I'd check it out first.
Thanks in advance
Duncan
Thanks in advance
Duncan
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 1
From: Mercer County, OH
Did you try this forum? Ford Mustang Forums : Corral.net Mustang Forum I used to go there often when I had a Mustang and found it to be very helpful.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
I would in no way advise you to attempt to replace your own top.
This is something for a seasoned professional to handle.
That said I'd like to recommend 2 tops for your Cobra:
1 is Electron Brand top, is best quality "replacement" top in the industry.
2 is the Haarz cloth top that is used on high end cars such as Mercedes, Jaguar, ect.
The labor $ you spend will be the same for a $129.00 top as it will be for a $700.00 top.
I have a '65 Mustang K code 289 Hipo GT Convertible and wanted to use the Haarz on it during the restoration but my restorer talked me out of it so the car could be restored to 100% original condition.
My Neice has an '86 Mustang GT Convertible and needed a new top a few years ago and I suggested the Haarz, she had one installed and BOY, what a GREAT top it is!!
If the Cobra was mine I think I'd go with the Haarz top unless you are trying to restore it to 100% original condition for showing.
ALWAYS replace the top pads when replacing the top, also might want to look at the various weatherstrips involved during the process.
This is something for a seasoned professional to handle.
That said I'd like to recommend 2 tops for your Cobra:
1 is Electron Brand top, is best quality "replacement" top in the industry.
2 is the Haarz cloth top that is used on high end cars such as Mercedes, Jaguar, ect.
The labor $ you spend will be the same for a $129.00 top as it will be for a $700.00 top.
I have a '65 Mustang K code 289 Hipo GT Convertible and wanted to use the Haarz on it during the restoration but my restorer talked me out of it so the car could be restored to 100% original condition.
My Neice has an '86 Mustang GT Convertible and needed a new top a few years ago and I suggested the Haarz, she had one installed and BOY, what a GREAT top it is!!
If the Cobra was mine I think I'd go with the Haarz top unless you are trying to restore it to 100% original condition for showing.
ALWAYS replace the top pads when replacing the top, also might want to look at the various weatherstrips involved during the process.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 2
From: Pasadena, Maryland
Thanks for that Supercab. I spoke with the installer yesterday. He recommended the Electron Cloth top. It is 1400 installed. I'm not going to show it. It is going to be my DD. I am going to keep the original tan color though. Does Electron offer the Haarz material?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,884
Likes: 180
From: Morgan Hill, CA
I would in no way advise you to attempt to replace your own top.
This is something for a seasoned professional to handle.
That said I'd like to recommend 2 tops for your Cobra:
1 is Electron Brand top, is best quality "replacement" top in the industry.
2 is the Haarz cloth top that is used on high end cars such as Mercedes, Jaguar, ect.
The labor $ you spend will be the same for a $129.00 top as it will be for a $700.00 top.
I have a '65 Mustang K code 289 Hipo GT Convertible and wanted to use the Haarz on it during the restoration but my restorer talked me out of it so the car could be restored to 100% original condition.
My Neice has an '86 Mustang GT Convertible and needed a new top a few years ago and I suggested the Haarz, she had one installed and BOY, what a GREAT top it is!!
If the Cobra was mine I think I'd go with the Haarz top unless you are trying to restore it to 100% original condition for showing.
ALWAYS replace the top pads when replacing the top, also might want to look at the various weatherstrips involved during the process.
This is something for a seasoned professional to handle.
That said I'd like to recommend 2 tops for your Cobra:
1 is Electron Brand top, is best quality "replacement" top in the industry.
2 is the Haarz cloth top that is used on high end cars such as Mercedes, Jaguar, ect.
The labor $ you spend will be the same for a $129.00 top as it will be for a $700.00 top.
I have a '65 Mustang K code 289 Hipo GT Convertible and wanted to use the Haarz on it during the restoration but my restorer talked me out of it so the car could be restored to 100% original condition.
My Neice has an '86 Mustang GT Convertible and needed a new top a few years ago and I suggested the Haarz, she had one installed and BOY, what a GREAT top it is!!
If the Cobra was mine I think I'd go with the Haarz top unless you are trying to restore it to 100% original condition for showing.
ALWAYS replace the top pads when replacing the top, also might want to look at the various weatherstrips involved during the process.
I agree that unless you are a true craftsman, putting on a top is not for just anyone. My dad and I put the top on the "Pelican" in '89 and we swore then that we'd never do it again. Of course it looked great for many years and now it's at the point where it's worse than when we did it last time. When we put the top on we never did get it perfect, close but not quite right. Getting the quarter areas to pull tight is an art apparently.
That said, I'll probably order a top and show up at his house someday...
Right now since the condition is "tattered" I just leave it down. Five years running. Thankfully it's in the garage next to the Boss 302 and I don't have to rig up the mickey mouse tarp held up by flexible fiberglass tent poles!
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