Hi Mark,
I think you're correct in your identification as a factory top with
later finish. I don't believe anyone produced a steel replacement, all
the aftermarket tops I've seen have been fibreglass. Usually the steel
tops were in bodycolour if supplied new with the car (as was mine -
registered as a coupe), though I suspect black and white would have been
available as options on Triumph supplied (but not factory fitted)
hardtops - this seemed to be the case with the later TRs.
As others have said, you probably won't use the hardtop very often -
mine has never been fitted in my ownership. Even in the UK, the winters
aren't long enough to justify it,
Cheers,
Bill.
> Hi all - How can I tell a factory hardtop from an aftermarket one? Any
> real advantage to one over the other? I looked at a car this weekend
> that had what the owner said was a factory hardtop. The car was an
> early 79 with the chrome bumpers and standup radiator. The hard top
> seemed to be steel, had the hinged pop-out rear quarter windows, and had
> a funny black wrinkle-type finish to it. Is this likely a factory top
> with a later finish?
>
> Just curious,
>
> Mark Gardner
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/ \ William Davies
/ \ Total Triumph Enthusiast
__ __________________ __
/ \ ______ ______ / \ 1959 Herald 948 Coupé Y128
\__/ \ || / \__/ 1959 Herald 948 Coupé
| A \____||____/ A | 1959 Herald 948 Saloon
| = H H = | 1960 Herald 948 Saloon Export
=====U==============U===== 1961 Herald 'S'
\________________________/ 1964 Herald 1200 Saloon
| | | | 1973 Spitfire MkIV
|_| |_| 1959 Standard Atlas Pickup
|