convertible top problem

[richard martin]

I cannot get my top secured at the windshield, I had a new top installed by a
professional 2 years ago. I cannot get this guy to repair or fix my problem (
out of buissness). Is there some type of adjustment ?


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

 

[tommyintpa@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/14/02 1:50:12 PM Eastern Standard Time,
rdboggie@juno.com writes:


> Depending how close the clips come to the latches, you may try using a blow
> dryer to heat the top. That will relax the fabric and make it more stretchy.
>
> Randy

Hi Martin, You may try parking in the hottest noon day sun you get. Unzip the
back window, and with the side zippers open and the side buttons not
buttoned, say a little Amphi payer and try to latch your top. You may want
some help. When this fails, the only fix is to remove the top and have the
front edge extended. This will not change the snap locations. Remember - Mr.
Wave broke the windshield in a car with a too tight top trying to get it to
close. AND just because it is possible to get it closed this time don't think
the top will get larger, it will not, the wrinkles will come out so it will
become only that much larger and NO more. This is the thing, convertible top
fabric IS MADE TO SHRINK, (about 5%) that's right when you have a new top
installed you should NEVER store the car with the top down until the top is
more than one year old. If your top guy was still around he may say that he
installed the top correctly and then you let it shrink. Head liner fabric is
the same way on older cars you will see the head liner fabric shrink until it
blows the seems. There is probably no way you can use your top as is. Don't
take a chance on a broken windshield get your top repaired (extended) and
move on. I guess a good rule of thumb would be to never long term store any
convertible top car with the top down regardless of the top's age.
Tommy in Tampa - Thinking about Mount Dora


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

 

[rdboggie@juno.com]

Depending how close the clips come to the latches, you may try using a blow
dryer to heat the top. That will relax the fabric and make it more stretchy.

Randy

 

[richard martin]

Re: Re: convertible top problem

Thanks a lot to Randy and Tommy for the advice. I have not had to put up the
top for a year or more since I have great indoor storage. I just did some
extensive work like stripping, sandblasting, and POR paint treatment on the
bottom interior and exterior and wanted to take it for A ride. I tried
putting a heater in the interior to warm it but it did not help. I am less
than one inch from the clips do you think I may be able to close it when I
get some hot sun??. Of course that will be some months away since I am in
the North woods of Wisconsin. I sure dont want to break the winshield since
it is new. The top installer broke a rear window during installation which I
had to replace and he did not put the clips in the right place on the cover
otherwise it looked OK.
----- Original Message -----
From: <rdboggie@juno.com>
To: <amphicar-lovers@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2002 12:47 PM
Subject: Re:[amphicar-lovers] convertible top problem


> Depending how close the clips come to the latches, you may try using a
blow dryer to heat the top. That will relax the fabric and make it more
stretchy.
>
> Randy
>
>
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE from this group, just send an email TO THE FOLLOWING
ADDRESS (this is not the same address for posting messages):
> amphicar-lovers-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.
>
> Any other issues may be addressed to the list owner/admin (Mike Israel)
amphicar770@yahoo.com
>
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

 

[Greg]

Re: Re: convertible top problem

Richard,
I had a similar problem. I bought my car a year ago
and it had been parked for some time with the top
down. After buying, I could only get one side clipped
for the trailer ride home and getting even the one
side attached took two of us with all our strength. My
windshield was cracked when I bought it and I suspect
it was due to someone attempting to put the top up.
This past summer I put the top only when necessary and
managed to get both sides latched but it took
extrodinary effort, several people and sometimes a bit
of prying with a screw driver to get that last
centimeter and I probably wouldn't have attempted it
if my windshield weren't already cracked. It never got
easier no matter how hot it was or how much sun so I
don't think that will make any difference. I finally
solved the problem this fall by undoing all the screws
on the front header. There are a series of phillips
screws that go through strips of crome to attach the
front(underside) of the fabric to the frame. I, like
you, needed just a half an inch or so to latch easily.
There was plenty of extra fabric that extended past
the screws so I just made new screw holes a half an
inch back which, in effect, made the top fabric longer
and solved the problem. The old screw holes are not
visible because I didn't have to move them too far and
because the crome strips cover them up so no one is
the wiser. Hopefully, that works for you. It's worth a
try before you buy a new top since this process will
only take a few minutes.
Good luck,
Greg Zinkosky(Michigan)
'67 Amphi(white)


--- richard martin <martin@discover-net.net> wrote:
I am less
> than one inch from the clips do you think I may be
> able to close it when I
> get some hot sun??. Of course that will be some
> months away since I am in
> the North woods of Wisconsin. I sure dont want to
> break the winshield since
> it is new. The top installer broke a rear window
> during installation which I
> had to replace and he did not put the clips in the
> right place on the cover
> otherwise it looked OK.


__________________________________________________

Got something to say? Say it better with Yahoo! Video Mail
http://mail.yahoo.com

 

[rayhand]

Where in Michigan are you? I'm 5 miles east of Michigan International
Speedway (Brooklyn) just offf US-12. Ray '67 Red

--- In amphicar-lovers@y..., Greg <G_Zink_us@y...> wrote:
> Richard,
> I had a similar problem. I bought my car a year ago
> and it had been parked for some time with the top
> down. After buying, I could only get one side clipped
> for the trailer ride home and getting even the one
> side attached took two of us with all our strength. My
> windshield was cracked when I bought it and I suspect
> it was due to someone attempting to put the top up.
> This past summer I put the top only when necessary and
> managed to get both sides latched but it took
> extrodinary effort, several people and sometimes a bit
> of prying with a screw driver to get that last
> centimeter and I probably wouldn't have attempted it
> if my windshield weren't already cracked. It never got
> easier no matter how hot it was or how much sun so I
> don't think that will make any difference. I finally
> solved the problem this fall by undoing all the screws
> on the front header. There are a series of phillips
> screws that go through strips of crome to attach the
> front(underside) of the fabric to the frame. I, like
> you, needed just a half an inch or so to latch easily.
> There was plenty of extra fabric that extended past
> the screws so I just made new screw holes a half an
> inch back which, in effect, made the top fabric longer
> and solved the problem. The old screw holes are not
> visible because I didn't have to move them too far and
> because the crome strips cover them up so no one is
> the wiser. Hopefully, that works for you. It's worth a
> try before you buy a new top since this process will
> only take a few minutes.
> Good luck,
> Greg Zinkosky(Michigan)
> '67 Amphi(white)
>
>
> --- richard martin <martin@d...> wrote:
> I am less
> > than one inch from the clips do you think I may be
> > able to close it when I
> > get some hot sun??. Of course that will be some
> > months away since I am in
> > the North woods of Wisconsin. I sure dont want to
> > break the winshield since
> > it is new. The top installer broke a rear window
> > during installation which I
> > had to replace and he did not put the clips in the
> > right place on the cover
> > otherwise it looked OK.
>
>
> __________________________________________________
>
> Got something to say? Say it better with Yahoo! Video Mail
> http://mail.yahoo.com