jackfit
Well-known member
Thirty some years ago I put a German Haartz Sonneland canvas top on my 66 roadster. I was tired of the cheap vinyl tops of the time, and as I drove my car all the time, I wanted a top that would look good and last.
30 years later and 150,000 plus miles, it was time for a new top. I have some pictures to share with you of what I found under my old top.
I knew that one of the rivets on the frame was not working as the weatherstrip on the drivers side would not line up, leaving a gap between the window and the two window weatherstrips that bolt on.
First I must say that the material used (tackboard) 45 years ago is far superior to the "fiberboard" sold now. The original board was fiber board sewn between two leather strips.
I found some rust that I have to deal with . The problem that many face with their tops is the nylon bushing that centers the rivets. When it breaks, the top mechanism does not work correctly and you will have uneven weatherstrip problems.
It usually is not the rivet as I found out, but the bushing.
Next, you can order the rivets from most vendors, but none listed the nylon bushing. Without it , you will not be able to fix the problem and be able to set the rivet.
Jerry Sullivan of "Sully's Tops" www.SullysTops.com 1-800-451-3998 Fresno, CA
Gave me a call and he has the bushings. He actully manafactors the rivets for the vendors who sell them. Funny they don't list them.
He put them in th mail and said, " send me the check when you get them" Very nice man and I would use him for any parts that may be needed to restore your frame. He is a 17 year NCRS member
Setting the rivet. You need to clamp the rivet, and frame tight, block the rivet and smack the end of the rivet with the hole with a big hammer. Flatten it a bit and pine it over.
I will let you know how that works, I ordered extra rivets just in-case
32 year old top
Bottom , top , sides , rivet hole , rust areas , straps , fiber tack strip of frame
Original tack strip
Rivet and nylon bushing
Weatherstrip kit and padding to be put on after canvas is installed
I am having the top installed after seeing the way the tacks have to be driven. Speedy did it 30 years ago for me and he will do it again on the 12th.
I hope the frame comes out OK, I am doing the work and I am always leery of my work.
I will post some more pictures as I get to work
Jack
30 years later and 150,000 plus miles, it was time for a new top. I have some pictures to share with you of what I found under my old top.
I knew that one of the rivets on the frame was not working as the weatherstrip on the drivers side would not line up, leaving a gap between the window and the two window weatherstrips that bolt on.
First I must say that the material used (tackboard) 45 years ago is far superior to the "fiberboard" sold now. The original board was fiber board sewn between two leather strips.
I found some rust that I have to deal with . The problem that many face with their tops is the nylon bushing that centers the rivets. When it breaks, the top mechanism does not work correctly and you will have uneven weatherstrip problems.
It usually is not the rivet as I found out, but the bushing.
Next, you can order the rivets from most vendors, but none listed the nylon bushing. Without it , you will not be able to fix the problem and be able to set the rivet.
Jerry Sullivan of "Sully's Tops" www.SullysTops.com 1-800-451-3998 Fresno, CA
Gave me a call and he has the bushings. He actully manafactors the rivets for the vendors who sell them. Funny they don't list them.
He put them in th mail and said, " send me the check when you get them" Very nice man and I would use him for any parts that may be needed to restore your frame. He is a 17 year NCRS member
Setting the rivet. You need to clamp the rivet, and frame tight, block the rivet and smack the end of the rivet with the hole with a big hammer. Flatten it a bit and pine it over.
I will let you know how that works, I ordered extra rivets just in-case
32 year old top
Bottom , top , sides , rivet hole , rust areas , straps , fiber tack strip of frame
Original tack strip
Rivet and nylon bushing
Weatherstrip kit and padding to be put on after canvas is installed
I am having the top installed after seeing the way the tacks have to be driven. Speedy did it 30 years ago for me and he will do it again on the 12th.
I hope the frame comes out OK, I am doing the work and I am always leery of my work.
I will post some more pictures as I get to work
Jack
4LT GS Roadster
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