Superformance Ragtop

209 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 04:35 PM

Hello all,
After enjoying my toy for four months, I put the ragtop on for a fit and looksee. I don't like it!

I just went for a quick 15 minute run to see what flaps and a general feel. It sure is quiet and yes there is a little draft but no biggee. Nothing is flapping although the material that lays on the door is questionable about wear on the paint.

What is everyone's concensus about the ragtop? I imagine most of you would never put it on but I will in order for me to drive it in the dead of winter.

Cliff

CBattaglia · #2 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 05:22 PM

I wont use mine for that very reason. My top made fine scratches especially behind the seats. I made a ring of felt to put down as a scratch barrier and it didnt work very well. If possible I will never drive the car with the top on. I carry a tarp with me in case I get caught in heavy rain, in light rain I just drive on.....

Some one on CC made a scratch barrier and there were discussions about it here. Try a search.

Zoom This · #3 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 05:42 PM

Yep. The rag top look is just ugly. I put mine on 6 years ago just to see how long it would take and how it looked. See my gallery for the only pic I dared post. All other angles look....ugly. A passenger will need to practically crawl to get in. Not much better ingress for the driver. I took it down and stored it away. Gotta say that the material is of good quality however. For winter driving I just bundle up when it's cold. Rain? Never been in it.

Mark IV · #4 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 05:49 PM

From day one at AC, the "Hood" has been an emergency top for those times when arriving totally soaked will not do.

They never have and never will, seal like a Lexus. And yes, they mar the paint where they touch.

If you keep the speed high enough, the water never touches you

*13* · #5 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoom This

Yep. The rag top look is just ugly.

Really? I Love the Rag top look. Of course, my look isn't the super gloss show car look so paint isn't really an issue. I love seeing a Cobra with a Ragtop. Yes, it's tough to get into. At 6'1" I fold p pretty tight to get in but I don't mind. I like being closed in.

FOMOCONUT · #6 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 08:13 PM

We have 15,000 miles on my SPF soft top with speeds over 80 mph ,dependson what the wind is doing. Works great, keeps us cool when it's hot ,warm when it's cold and some what dry . Did the paint protection to save the paint. SPF #2773 Jerry

terry251 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 08:31 PM

We just came back from a 125 mile jaunt on a 40 degree day in Colorado. Without the top, the car would have stayed in the garage and we would not have enjoyed the late fall drive. It is a bit of a circus act to get in with the top up...but worth every moment once we were rolling. I've owned 1980 for 5 years; this is the first time we didn't put it away for the duration once the weather turned colder.

Looking forward to some real cold weather rides in relative comfort instead of sitting in front of the boob tube watching the Broncos lose again!

Terry

Jim Kellogg · #8 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 08:43 PM

I use my soft top in the summer for the rainy days. The earlier 2 bow tops (like mine) don't look as good as the newer 3 bow tops.

One IMPORTANT reminder when driving with any soft top. DO NOT drive at any speed WITHOUT the side curtains on (the newer SPF 3 bow tops have a zipper on the back window - and I would guess you would be OK as long as the back window is open).

This is true for any Cobra replica. Without the side curtains in place, at speed the air inside the top will cause trapped air to pull back the top of the windshield.

I alternate between my hardtop (winter driving) and keep the soft top in the trunk the rest of the year for coverage in the rain. Both tops (and side curtains) will make marks in the paint over time.

I call it patina. Looked the word up and it fits: " a surface appearance of something grown beautiful especially with age or use".

Yup that describes my SPF :-)

udxcob · #9 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 01:10 AM

I keep my top on permanently

mdross1 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 11:25 AM

Personally love mine,because a lot of cool weather driving is in order.The paint is not a big deal for me,the top leaves character marks,a patina.I do take it off especially when the wife wants to cruise around.

PANAVIA · #11 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 03:57 AM

Tried My top tonight; So since it was 39F I tried my soft top tonight and I have a question - does it clip to or attach to the windshield in the top front center of the windshield, >?

I can feel hooks on the inside of the roof rails, just abouve the rear view mirror. -- but I cant figure out of I am missing a clip or something.

I have the Side ( left and right ) clips holding the front top of the ragtop to the winodow frame, and they have the U channeled canvas covered metal pieces those go over the window frame ok. -- -- but I think I am missing something.

Looking for my manual. ---Steve

terry251 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 09:45 AM

Steve, Just in case you didn't find your manual yet: I have the three window version. The locating pins on the center of the soft top slide laterally into the rail on top of the windscreen, then you lock down the over center clamp on the side rail of the windshield.

Practice on entry and exit a few times; it resembles a monkey and football scenario, but once inside there is a lot of headroom.

Terry

zzmac · #13 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 09:48 AM

By side curtains do you mean the plexiglas windows I have that don't fit or something else that I didn't get with my car?

patrickt · #14 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzmac

By side curtains do you mean the plexiglas windows I have that don't fit or something else that I didn't get with my car?

Just another example of the poor QA at SPF.

Seems like we've had a slew of them recently. If done right, the side curtains actually fit pretty well. They're still basically a PITA though. I've used them maybe twice on my ERA.

Jim Kellogg · #15 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 10:38 AM

zzmac,
I am confident that if you can have someone (your dealer or another owner who has used them) show you how to install the side curtains, you will find that they fit quite well. There is a "trick" to putting them in, that once mastered, will become second nature.

I remove the outside vent visors when I am going to use my top for an extended period of time (as in the winter), as it removes one step from getting in and out of the car (you have to have the outside visors pulled away to open the door with the side curtain on).

You've got to remember - these are replicas of '60s sports cars without side windows that we are driving. Anyone here ever owned and driven a Sprite MKI or Triumph TR2/3?

WarrenG · #16 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 09:46 PM

The problem with the side curtains is that they don't all have the posts in the exact same place. If the ferrules are installed to match the side curtains the side curtains are pretty easy to put on and pull off.

JBCOBRA · #17 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 06:29 AM

I am glad that SPF includes a top with the car. On occasion, the top comes in Really Handy. Every September my wife drive to Watkins Glen. Approximately 250 miles, through mountains. It was cold and they were calling for rain. We made it in less than 4hrs. dry and warm. Luckily it only rained a little here and there. It would have been a torturous ride without the top. Once we were there, we didn't need the top all weekend (pure luck) as it was supposed to rain. I almost didn't even take the car up this year because of the forcast............but, "The Devil Hates a Coward" so off we went, and had an Awesome weekend at the Vintage Grand Prix.

Jim Kellogg · #18 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 06:39 AM

Last I knew, the SPF side curtains are individually fitted to the car at the factory. The bag for the side curtains should have "your" car number written on the inside flap.

Front pin goes in first (just a litle ways, until the rear pin contacts the ferrule). Then set the rear pin over the ferrule and pull the top of the side curtain slightly inwards while pulling down on the base. The flap faces outwards. You may want to lubricate the pins just a bit.

If you can have someone show you how to do it, it's a piece of cake.

Now, getting in and out of the car with a top on - THAT takes some moves

Jim Kellogg · #19 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 06:44 AM

Hi, JB

Drove the Cobra to work today (as usual). Had snow on the ground at the house. First time this season, but even with "global warming", this looks to be a year for snow!

It was exciting getting you lined up for the Cobra laps at the Glen last year! Couldn't cut it any closer than you did... Glad you made it, and I know you had fun!

Hope to be able to do it again this year.

mdross1 · #20 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 06:42 AM

I installed my own top and side curtains,it was by no means a fun task.Setting the ferrules for the side curtains was nerve racking.The car looks great with it on and it does a very respectable job of keeping the elements out.With the heat on it gets quite cozy on those early morning excursions.