Like Tom says below, I used to have a lot of trouble getting the
front bolts on the hardtop started, but I have found something that
makes it easy. I start by setting the rear of the hardtop down on a
cardboard box that is about 8" tall. That provides just about the
right angle to get the front bolts started. Once started I lift up
the rear of the top and take out the box and then put in the rest
of the mounting hardware and tighten down (not too tight on those
front ones though).
Tim
>At 08:30 PM 08/01/2000 -0400, you wrote:
>>
>>Hello All,
>>
>>I just purchased a 1975 Spitfire and among other treats it came with 2 hard
>>tops. One fiberglass and one steel. Both are in excellent shape but have no
>>mounting hardware. I would like to be able to use the steel one. Here's my
>>question, Do I have to remove the soft top?
>
>No. As I recall you have to take the two retaining bolts out of the rear
>metal thingie attached to the soft top and body below the rear window. Roll
>the soft top up and move it back in the area behind the seats. After that
>the hardtop goes on and is attached to the body by the two bolts you just
>removed in the back, two bolts through the front attaching to the front
>screen and two bolts on the sides which connect to the body connections via
>special hardware. This is a nothing more than a attachment that has a
>female end for a bolt to attach to the body connection and a threaded end
>which attaches the hardtop. I believe there are extra threaded holes in the
>body connector so you don't need to remove the attachments for the soft
>top. I always had trouble getting my front bolts started. Don't
>overtighten. I'm not sure if the side hardware is available.
>
>Tom Beaver
>Indy
Tim Gaines
Clinton, SC
1980 Spitfire
1974 TR6
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