Permanent folding top

[smiley2208]

Wife and I are planning on long road trips in a year, or so, after she retires. Putting up the soft top and keeping it in place in high winds is a challenge, so.....we're thinking of a permanently mounted folding soft top. Any one seen or heard of one made for a cobra? Not sure yet, how it will fit , in front or behind? the roll bars. We had a Healey 3000, and I see it looking, working, like the Healey's.

There's a lot of questions, but surely, someone must have made one. Or, are we, at this advanced age, on the cutting edge...hahaha.

Appreciate any and all feedback, comments, pics. etc.

Thanks

[Buzz]

There was a member a few years ago who designed and sold a folding top with an articulated frame that folded and erected in front of the roll bar. It even came with a neat little boot to cover it up when stowed. If you do a search here or on the FFR forum, you should be able to dig it up.

[mdross1]

I was irritated by the top flapping off the top of my head at speed even with windows on doors.So made a couple of wooden bows out of ash with nice brackets one end attaches to windshield frame near the center,the other end to main top bow behind seats.It works great,trouble is the wife for some reason is developing claustrofobia I love it makes long hauls very comfortable.

[brandx]

Not trying to hijack thread but I bought a top kit and the info in with it stated that it is not recomended to drive at more than 60 mph with top on. Has anyone else seen or had any problems with this?

[CHANMADD]

My top has 3 bows , the third towards the front above your head. This bow tensions the whole top
With sidescreens , velcro mounted I have driven above 100 many times. The stock top has only two bows.

[mdross1]

Originally Posted by CHANMADD

My top has 3 bows , the third towards the front above your head. This bow tensions the whole top
With sidescreens , velcro mounted I have driven above 100 many times. The stock top has only two bows.

Never heard of this setup,where did you find it?
Mine has no speed limit as well,no need to try and find it.
Mike Ross

[SoTxButler]

This one looks like a soft top, but it is fiberglass. No flapping and no speed limit.
No

[brandx]

Whers did you find the top with 3 bows? Do you have any photos to share. The top kit that I bought came from cobra restorers in Georgia. Although the fabric came from robbins.

[CHANMADD]

My soft top looks like your hard top. That third bow makes all the difference. I hand made my frame and top, The original design comes from South Africa . If I remember Leuters Hayes was the company, whether they are still around...???



I can make some drawings in the next few days.

[Rickd]

There is a rod shop I believe in Wisconsin that makes an "upgraded top" option for FFR. The top designed for FFR costs around $3500. The frame is spectacular ... wooden frame on the windshield and steel tube frame that mounts about a quarter inch above the body. Bolts into the frame bracket and has rubber gasket seals. ROD TOPS (a division of DTS Enterprises). They build custom tops for rods. They said I would have to bring my ERA in to have the top / frame fitted. As a one off, it would be $5,000. But it would be rock solid, would not flop in the wind, and does not rattle.

[mdross1]

All great info thanks to all.A while back looked into putting a hardtop on our car.Was told can only have either a soft top or a hardtop not be set up for both.No problem will stay with the soft top simply because it can be carried in the trunk.

[CobraDan]

This top is also a fiberglass hard top & this cobra has lots of miles on it.

[Buzz]

Found some pics in the members galleries. This top was designed and built by CC member Rick Young who later changed his forum moniker to CRZN427. He had a waiting list for these tops at one time. Not sure of his current status. Probably more info available on the FFR forum. As you can see the tops erected and stowed in front of the roll bar and the rigid side windows had a clever linkage that flipped them outward when the door was opened. If I recall correctly, no body modifications were required.

[Luce]

I thought I was the only one with the soft top looking hard top. Mine will be covered in cloth or vinyl, not sure yet.

Here's some construction photos

I hand bent 1/2" EMT and tack welded it together, stretched canvas drop cloth over it, sopped it in epoxy, then glassed it.

I have since added the cutout for a oval rear window, and channels for the side curtains, but don't have pics here at the office.

[gjcomb]

Originally Posted by CobraDan

This top is also a fiberglass hard top & this cobra has lots of miles on it.

CobraDan;

Who made your fiberglass top? That looks pretty good and solid!

George

[wrogers55]

+1 to CobraDan on who made that top.

That is a very nice looking top!

[CobraDan]

George,
That is not my casr

[krausewich]

CobraDan.. Whose top is it and where do we get more info?
It's COOoooLD in the N.E. !!!