Well, I went to zip the rear window in my NA and...pop. The pull tab came off. And with such a tiny part gone, the top is ruined. For the want of a nail, as they say... So I've ordered a new top from Moss, going with a zipperless glass rear window. Zippering and unzipping that window has been a massive PITA... Now to find someone to install it when it comes. I know of one guy in East Stroudsburg who did a minor job for me (replacing a snap in the tonneau) and he can probably do this job.
Another project: As some may know, I had something of a career writing about cars, and of late have been trying to recycle some of the work I've done over the past several decades. To that end I've started a new website and I'd like to invite all and every to visit. You can subscribe, too. It's free, but for all members of LVMOC, it's half off. Get someone else to subscribe and I'll refund the rest. Seriously, I had the chance to drive a lot of different cars--very different cars--over the years and now in my dotage I'd like to share them again. The site is Remember Road. Hope to see you as subscribers.
As far as removing an old top and replacing it with a brand new one, how difficult is it? Never attempted but I need a new top in the 93 NA
Jordan F. White, M.S.
2012 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT 6MT AWD (NB summer 2024!)
I know there are people in the club who had their tops replaced. Locally. Hopefully someone here remembers...
Louie
2014 Club 2.5L "Punisher Edition", 2017 RF GT
John, the same thing happened to me and my '91 BRG last driving season. I took it to Sabatini Coachworks in Nazareth and they replaced the item for free. Then they stitched an area so that it can never come off again.
Louie, I have already mentioned Sabatini Coachworks to Jordan. Alan, Alan, Alan had his top replaced by them last year.
I'm not going to try to replace this top. I did on my Fiat 850 Spider, but that was almost 50 years ago, I was young and adventuresome, and didn't have a lot of money...and the top was clever but also a lot easier (no drip rail, etc.). Anyway, I'm going to let a pro do this.
And get a new tab for the slider? Gee, I should have thought of that, but usually losing the tab is the kiss of death for a zipper. Well, at least the new top will have a glass rear window...
But before I can get that take care of, I have a new problem that has to be dealt with before I can move the car because...it won't move. I'll address that in a separate thread.
Followup on the top. I got a new Robbins "streamline" top with a glass rear window from Moss Miata and had it installed by Central Auto Tops in East Stroudsburg. The top is really nice, the glass rear window is a touch of civilization (even authenticity isn't enough motivation to install a plastic rear window). It's much quieter than the original top and snug enough that I have to shut the door a little harder, a function of the door and the installation.
Mike at Central Auto Tops is a man after my own heart. The place is, um, disorderly, but his work area is, well, he turns out a great result.
Good to know there is another option for a top installer in the area. Thank you for sharing!
2016 ST Ceramic Metallic GT aka Ghost
I also purchased a robbins top and I’m a little intimidated to install it myself,does anyone know of a good installer in the Lehigh valley,mike sounds great but east stroudsburg is a little far for me.
A couple of our Club members have had success with top installs at Sabatini's Coachworks in Nazareth.
I have had work done there and was very pleased with the results.
Had the top replaced this week.Laudenslager’s upholstery in orefield,a quality job at a fair price, I highly recommend for anyone in the LV.
I saw some good work from Abington Auto Tops, if that's more convenient for you.
'01 BRG SE
Following up: After letting the top stretch all winter, I put it down and then of course had to put it back up, and when I did...it was too tight. I couldn't get the latches to the hook. I had to get my wife to help push and pull and finally got the top latched.
I tried several other times and it's a little better. I've been able to latch the top by myself, but only if I latch it from the passenger side first. And pull it to the side about an inch while I'm doing it. There's a bit of misalignment.
So I went to talk to Mike who installed the top, and when I got to his shop, there was a handwritten note: The shop was closed. Mike had died.
For the time being I'm going to be putting the top up from the passenger side, but eventually I suppose I'll have to go to another shop...
