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Re: TR6 hardtop value

To: Jim Davis <jdavis344@bellsouth.net>
Subject: Re: TR6 hardtop value
From: David Friedlander <forzion@maine.rr.com>
Date: Sat, 05 Apr 2003 14:16:20 -0500
Wow, Jim, a lot of perspective and experience voiced there. You're way
ahead of me with all this, as my hardtop only goes to paint next week.
And, being as the hardtop has never actually sat on my '74 vehicle (I
found sitting on a '71 parts car), I hadn't given a shred of thought to
"the fit." Thanks (I think) for the heads up, though I have no idea what
can be done about it. Guess I'll have to wait and see how mine actually
fit together. I wonder if any other listers with hardtops share your
experience or have actually managed to achieve "a good fit." Anyone
out there with a hardtop who want to chime-in on this?

Dave Friedlander
CF25194UO

Jim Davis wrote:

> 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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