I've always liked the look of the factory hardtop on a TR6 so I
purchased one and restored it at considerable expense back in the early
90's. An installed hardtop positively transforms the handling of the car
by stiffening the body structure. The car is much quieter at speed and
is much better insulated against heat and cold. I enjoy driving my TR6
with the hardtop installed.
My biggest disappointment is the door glass doesn't fit well in the
opening and does not seal properly with the hardtop. So much for the
weather tight winter driving I was expecting. My soft top seals better.
Adjusting the windshield or "A" post to be parallel to the door glass
doesn't allow the hardtop to fit the front of the windshield, so it must
be moved slightly top-to-the-rear, which now means the door glass is too
tight at the top, leaving a gap at the bottom of the windshield
weather-stripping. Adjusting the door glass to fit the opening created
by an installed hardtop is next to impossible.
I've had very professional body specialists work on my car with the
hardtop and while they've made it work fairly well, the very good seal I
used to have with the soft top has been lost. Two highly skilled body
specialists told me my only chance for a "really proper fit" would be to
have a glass cut "that was actually designed for the opening". Both
agreed, and I concur, the window glass and hardtop opening was a
mismatched and botched design. It doesn't work! Must be why Triumph
stayed with the antiquated removable windshield. They were unable or
unwilling to design a winding door glass mechanism with tolerances to
fit a "fixed" opening.
One of the few great disappointing experiences for me with the TR6. And
as a long time enthusiast, I'm very forgiving to questionable designs .
Jim Davis
Fortson, GA
CF38690UO
CF37325U
Subject: Re: TR6 values
Gary;
As one lister pointed out just yesterday, even just getting the
hardware, headlining, and seals to refurbish a steel hardtop costs more
than $500! The cost of getting it painted and windows resealed adds
another bundle to that!
Dave Friedlander
GSFuqua1@aol.com wrote:
> Not sure on the value of the PI system in LHD car but I would like to
> see you get a fully restored steel hard top for $500.
>
> Motor On! Gary
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