Series 1 hardtop

[stevenm]

I have been offered a nice condition factory hard top for my car which i must admit appeals to me. All of the chrome trim, headlining etc is with it along with all of the fixing latches. The latches and mounting plates are a little bit pitted but original and could easily be sourced and replaced. The rear window rubber is quite perished but again original.
If I buy the top I would want to replace the rear window rubber but have been told that these are a real pita to fit?
Has anyone had any experience in fitting this rubber at all?
My question is....what would be a reasonable price to pay for an original factory hardtop these day as we have not agreed a price as yet and I am not sure what they are going for these days?

Thanks
Steve

[abowie]

Pay him whatever he wants :-)

Seriously though I'd cheerfully pay several thousand pounds for a complete original hardtop. To replace the rear chrome alone is 800 pounds.

SNG etc do do a replica that they sell for around 800 pounds or so and I have one. They are OK but nowhere near as good as the originals.

Fitting replacement rubbers is always a lottery. If it gets too hard you can call in a professional.

[Heuer]

last few in really good condition went for between £1,500 and £2,750 IIRC. Bear in mind that using the hardtop will mark the paintwork around the rear valance so if your car is concours probably best not to fit it.

[Peter Harrison]

My advice is to buy it! I love my hardtop as it is almost like having two cars - one for winter and one for summer. The noise reduction and comfort factor is superior to the soft-top. To mitigate against David's point above, I apply protective PVC tape of body-colour to the contact point. Spraying the hard-top body-colour gives a good result in my view. Peter H

[MarkRado]

Fully agree with Peter! I love my hardtop and use it frequently. It definitely looks unique and swinging sixties to me. Go ahead and buy it, and paint it body colour. Look for a hardtop trolley, do so some arm and back exercises and you can mount it all alone without help .
It rubs against paintwork, but you can avoid damage following Peter's solution plus carefully adjusting it.

[stevenm]

Thanks for the replies and advice guys. I will definatley be buying it and I think spraying it in Old English white is the way to go as it will match the body colour.
Mark. Your car with the matching hard top looks really nice. Where is the best place to buy the protective film from?

[MarkRado]

I have to admit my paintwork did not receive the "tape and adjustment" treatment- and was damaged We have to ask Peter - maybe electric tape?

[Series1 Stu]

How about using clear vinyl wrap material? Should do the job.

Regards

[abowie]

How about using clear vinyl wrap material? Should do the job.

Regards

That's what I would do. Take it to one of those places that professionally wrap cars and get them to do it.

[MarkRado]

The stuff used for wrapping the whole car- good Idea; temp and UV resistant, and removable. Leftovers should be available for little money at the car wrapping shop next door.

[Series1 Stu]

I am considering having the nose of mine similarly wrapped to prevent/reduce stone chips etc. Some people might find the idea abhorrent but....

Does anybody remember those car bras made from vinyl that used to be strapped onto the front to protect them.

The last ones I saw were fitted to Australian Ford Capris in the early nineties.

Regards

[Barry]

Yep, same for me. when I bought my S3 V12 from Eagle the just applied a strip about 50mm wide around the area where the rubber meets the body. It works and looks neat and tidy.

[ralphr1780]

Steve, the factory hardtop is a great plus. The latches can be brushed clean and éventually rechromed. My S2 has an aftermarket one, looks nice from a distance. While my S1 has an original one, it is way better in all respects.
I do use the protective transparent film, hardly visible, which you can buy in rolls of different widths on ama#on by searching for car protection film.
Good luck.

[stevenm]

Steve, the factory hardtop is a great plus. The latches can be brushed clean and éventually rechromed. My S2 has an aftermarket one, looks nice from a distance. While my S1 has an original one, it is way better in all respects.
I do use the protective transparent film, hardly visible, which you can buy in rolls of different widths on ama#on by searching for car protection film.
Good luck.

Thanks for the info about the factory hardtop. I have now agreed to buy it and look forward to fitting it on to the car. I will also be buying some protective film as well to try and avoid scratching the paint.

Thanks
Steve