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Re: A few Questions about tops

To: spl310@hotmail.com, giel@earthlink.net, datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: A few Questions about tops
From: "Andrew Murphy" <solex67@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2002 09:50:18 -0800
Didn't say six hours, I said "a few". I think it was about three. It does 
take some skill to do this and I think the tool was used because I had a 
canvas top not a vinyl top. Les loaned the tools to the shop that did the 
work. It looked like a pretty specific punch tool to me. As I remember Les 
was pretty protective of it. Les was also fastidious about things like not 
using a hammer to flatten the grommet tabs as opposed to using a crimping 
tool. Those restoration guys take their time but they do it right.

Andrew Murphy


From: "sidney raper" <spl310@hotmail.com>
To: solex67@hotmail.com, giel@earthlink.net, datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: A few Questions about tops
Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2002 12:43:11 -0500

Andrew,

I have to disagree.  I have installed a number of Roadster tops (all low 
windshield except for one) and they were easy.  Centering the top is 
critical, but it is not difficult.  Stretching the top is not bad - 
especially with the low windshield cars as there are adjustors to help.  No 
special tools needed to install the lift the dot or twisty connectors in the 
top - just an Exacto knife and a little patience.  There is NO WAY it takes 
6 hours to do unless you stop for a 4 hour beer break in the middle.

Sid


>From: "Andrew Murphy" <solex67@hotmail.com>
>Reply-To: "Andrew Murphy" <solex67@hotmail.com>
>To: giel@earthlink.net, datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
>Subject: Re: A few Questions about tops
>Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2002 09:32:13 -0800
>
>Bob,
>
>I have watched some of the processes necessary to install a soft top onto a
>Datsun Roadster. What is so time consuming is the fact that the top fabric
>and the top frame are not intially "joined". What takes the time is that
>holes must be punched with a very specific tool to line up the grommets 
>with
>the "posties and twisties". Also, there is quite a lot or work to join the
>top fabric correctly to the front bow. If you are off by just a little the
>top will be lopsided. You also have to do quite a lot of pulling stretching
>to make sure the fabric is taught when the top frame is extended.
>
>When I had mine done at the upholsterer, it took a few hours. I have heard
>of people doing it themselves, but I don't think I would have the patience
>and where withall to do it myself.
>
>My .02,
>
>Andrew Murphy
>SoCalROC
>
>
>From: Robert Giel <giel@earthlink.net>
>Reply-To: Robert Giel <giel@earthlink.net>
>To: datsun-roadsters <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
>Subject: A few Questions about tops
>Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2002 09:11:20 -0800
>
>When it comes to tops, (and too many other topics to
>mention) I am really in the dark.  My 66 SPL311 1600 has
>no top of any kind, (hard, soft or tonneau) and comments on
>this list arouse my already insatiable curiosity.  I have
>two different sets of soft top frames and hope that one of
>them is actually for this car, but I am not sure, never
>having seen one before.  While it is more important to
>actually get the car running safely, and on the road, having
>some sort of top is in the back of my mind as another
>important, enjoyable, and related simultaneous project.
>
>I plan to make my own hard top (fiberglass and/or carbon
>reinforced plastic construction much as used to fabricate
>boats, customized vehicle and marine parts), and a tonneau
>cover (much as one makes sails and awnings.)
>
>First question:  Is there any site or other source I can get
>some measured drawings, photographs, and/or specific
>dimensions of the original hard top for this car (I believe
>this is called the low windshield design)?
>
>While we are at it, how about patterns for the soft top and
>the tonneau cover?  If I can get a pattern and/or worn out
>cover as a pattern/model, and then get access to an
>industrial-strength sewing machine this should be another
>fun project.
>
>My greatest curiosity regarding roadster tops has to do with
>the soft top problems mentioned on this list.
>
>Having owned a few (non-Datsun) roadsters in the past, I am
>confused as to why it is so hard and expensive to install a
>replacement soft top on the Datsuns.  For my other cars, the
>frame and a front hold-down bar simply slipped into sleeves
>sewn into the fabric and it took about ten minutes on a
>really bad day to completely install or remove and store
>away!  In fact, on one of my cars the soft top material was
>not stored on the frame when removed, so this slip it on and
>off process was a daily routine for me depending on the
>weather.  I can remember "rushing" to do the job when caught
>in a "surprise" shower.  It was not much harder than
>stretching the tonneau cover to get those metal grommets
>over the snaps and twist fasteners.
>
>Many messages on this list have mentioned hours of labor and
>hundreds of dollars just to "install" a soft top!?  What is
>the story here?  It is obvous that this group has some of
>the smartest folks around, so I have to ask, What the heck
>is everybody talking about?!  Is the top/frame design
>actually that bad and if so, why hasnt somebody modified
>the design to get rid of an exorbitant maintenance
>nightmare, where no difficulty should exist at all?  Is the
>soft top sewn onto the frame or something equally
>ridiculous?  What could possibly take hours of specialized
>labor skills to install?  Is there a site that describes the
>soft top and explains what must be a very arduous process?
>
>TIA,
>
>Bob Giel
>66 SPL311-05249
>Los Angeles, Calif.
>
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