[TR] Shrunk top fitting

[aribert neumann]

I strongly suspect the better fitting top mentioned below was either an
original OEM top purchased as a service part or the top pattern was based
on an OEM newish top that had not shrunk.    Twenty years + many years ago
gets us back to roughly when one might be able to buy an OEM top from the
dealer (either to use as a service part or to deconstruct and use as a
pattern by an aftermarket supplier).

I have a custom made Haartz Twill 3 fabric top on my Spit6.  I was employed
by ASC at the time and had one of the prototype trimmers deconstruct my
original (shrunken) vinyl top as a starting point for a pattern.  My fabric
top has not shrunk in the past 32+ yrs (though the vinyl windows have been
replaced several times).



From: DAVID MASSEY <dave1massey at cs.com>
To: dave northrup <dave at ranteer.com>, "triumphs at autox.team.net" <
triumphs at autox.team.net>, Robert Rochlin <rrochlin at comcast.net>
Cc:
Bcc:
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2025 14:41:48 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Re: [TR] TR6 top R&R
Correction.  I used the term "elastomer" when I should have said
"plasticizer."

Another example:  Many years ago I was given a TR6 top by an acquaintance
who bought it 20 years previously but wrecked his car before he had a
chance to have it installed.  In other words, this top sat in his basement
for 20 years before I had it installed.  This was the easiest top to put up
and down in all my experience.  I believe it is because the plasticizers
had all dissipated and the top did not stretch when the installer got his
hands on it.  So it didn't "shrink" after installation.  It went up easily
in any weather.

So I guess this suggests one should buy a top now and put it away for
several years before installing it.  ;-)

Dave
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