AC Cobra Hardtops

[Gene_J]

This is a continuation of the following post regarding Cobra hardtops: AC Cobra Hardtops


We looked at seven hardtops. A number of these tops are “available” in this country and evaluated the practicality and functionality of all seven relative to what I wanted. As you will recall I want a top that is:

1. Light and easy to install and remove
2. Seals extremely well
3. Is stylish
4. Won’t detach unexpectedly
5. Something that is made for cold weather as well as moderate and hot temperatures
6. It would be nice to have a top constructed and cured to military standards

What follows is not a condemnation or endorsement of any product as all seven are very good hardtops. And as we all know, preference is ultimately a matter of individual choice.




This top is similar to the Shell Valley top. The rear window is wrap-around plastic and offers good visibility which is a nice safety feature. However, in the Southwest the plastic must be coated/treated to survive the Southwest climate for any length of time. Left untreated, exposed plastic does not hold up well out here and tends to degrade. In colder and moderate climates degradation is not much of a problem.

This design is also quite functional and doesn’t interfere with trunk use.




Here is a top I consider the “Queen of tops” because it has history and is aesthetically appealing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyNzylqpz-c

Then there is the almost Le Mans top. Reminiscent of the old luxury grand tourer XJS this hardtop retains some of the aesthetics of the Le Mans top but has a center cut-away providing unhampered access to the trunk.



The Gardner-Douglas top deviates from the norm. It’s a gull-wing design with windows instead of side curtains. It allows ample access for big guys as well as full access to the trunk.



APE products has a nice looking top with a distinctive centerline dip. It too allows full access to the trunk.




The B and B top is a nice looking, very functional hardtop providing easy access to the trunk.


I still enjoy looking at the unrestricted creativity that went into this design. This good looking and functional top is what happens when a person thinks “out of the box” and isn’t afraid of being different.

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We eventually decided to use a Gull-Wing short top for several reasons. First this concept has been around for many years, but more importantly a well designed Gull-Wing seals remarkably well.

Now this concept is extremely viable because we can incorporate the same new and very exciting composites and production techniques used by the aerospace industry during the last few years.

As a consequence, it is now possible to produce an extremely light Gull-Wing hardtop that is leak proof, provides ease of entry for the big guy . . . . and offers additional structural integrity for the occupants while enhancing windshield strength.

What do you think?