I agree with Peter completely! I recently replaced an original vinyl top
with a Sunfast/Stayfast top and there is no way I'd go back to vinyl. By
the way, Sunfast/Stayfast is not canvas, different materials.Vinyl
shrinks over time and creates the reason I had to jettison mine...it had
shrunk to the point that the velcro over the windows would no longer
seal, so that at highway speeds hot, cold and/or moisture laden air
would find its way into the cockpit. Plus it looked horrible and leaked
at the area over the side windows. This was a top that otherwise looked
great, with no holes or tears and windows crystal clear.
I had read on the list about a company named AA Best and read some good
things about them. Web site looked good, so I called them and talked to
Karl, the owner. Sounded like a nice man and seemed to know what I
wanted: A Sunfast top with the correct TR6 reflective strip and with the
snaps not installed. He assured me that is exactly what I'd receive
(along with a snap installation kit and the snaps which were not
received) and I would be very happy with his product. I ordered the top
with just enough time to receive it and install it in time to leave for
the TRF/VTR event. Some of you may have seen the top there, as it was up
more than I'd have liked with the weather being a bit soggy. My car is
Mimosa/Black with Panasports and Diamond Back redlines.
I got the top and the material was beautiful! The seams were stitched
perfectly and the overall workmanship was excellent. Then I noticed
it...MGB 1/4 windows heat welded into a TR6 top. Just doesn't look
right. Well, I needed a new top and with no time to return it I bit the
bullet and slung it onto the frame. It fit up extremely well except that
I could never get the back lite to fit as taught as I would have liked
but the top seams match up to the header rails nicely. Another problem
is that the reflective material gathers a bit around the turn at the
bottom under the MGB 1/4 windows. And the top came with the snaps
installed on the two header bar wraps on the inside of the top.
Fortunately they line up well enough to snap onto the original snaps on
the rear bar and on the male snaps I installed into the holes where the
wrap was originally pop riveted.
After I discovered the 1/4 window problem I called AA Best, talked
briefly to Karl to let them know of the error. As soon as he heard I was
going to install the top he lost all interest in the window problem and
my other concerns. I should have returned the top and I may have a local
top shop sew in the correct windows, I'm undecided.
My recommendations are to go with the Sunfast/Stayfast material, which
is beautiful and provides a bit more sound and temperature insulation
than the vinyl. To get an idea of what the material looks like, it is
the same as installed on the BMW Z3/Z4s. However if you buy from AA
Best,
1. Don't get the reflective stripe. The top manufacturer doesn't
know how to apply it correctly.
2. Make sure Karl understands you want the correct TR6 style 1/4
windows.
3. I would insist on no pre-installed snaps, they don't always line
up properly.
4. Return it if it is not exactly as you ordered it.
Jim Davis
Fortson, GA
CF38690UO
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