Hardtop Project

[DanEC]

Well, if it’s not completely symmetrical that will just be in keeping with the rest of a typical Cobra body.

[john4337]

Originally Posted by DanEC

Well, if it’s not completely symmetrical that will just be in keeping with the rest of a typical Cobra body.

My thoughts exactly

[john4337]

I'm in a holding pattern awaiting arrival of the primer and new gaskets, so I moved on the the relocation of the wind wings. I plan on building side curtains so the clamp mounts needed to go. A buddy of mine had some mounting hardware so I went at it. Drilling the sidebar is nerve wracking, because, unlike fiberglass, there are no do overs. I got the top mounting block where I needed it and used the full wing assembly to locate the bottom block.

[john4337]

Well, at least it’s all one color.

[john4337]

Well, I’ve sanded down to 180 and filled some small defects. The gaskets I ordered arrived, so I wanted to see if they’ll work out. I clearly have to do a bit of glass work at the anchor points behind the doors, but I knew those cuts were a wild guess

[PDUB]

it is coming along nicely!

[john4337]

Well, I think this is the final shape. I've tweaked the PS corner a bit and repaired the cuts and holes where the old mounts were, just need to touch up the primer.







Looking forward, I need to decide on a finish. Im debating a color match, such as this...



or a two-tone look, perhaps an old English white, something like this....



Bring on the discussion, mean while I'll start on mounting brackets for the windscreen.

[john4337]

I’ve started work on the mounting hardware. First up are the catches for the windscreen side bars. When I got it everything was done with aluminum pop rivets. I’ll use stainless fasteners ,new stainless catches (seen here) with a safety and nyloc nuts.



I added a thicker piece of aluminum to give the catch more support.




I’ll clean them up and polish everything for final assembly.

[DanEC]

Very nice work. It should look and function great when you get it painted.

[xb-60]

Yes, good job. Looks very much like a craftsman has been at work

Colour comment? I think I would forget the white; that works OK on an MGB, but if it was mine, I'd be tossing up between a colour match, or a matte black or satin black.

Cheers!
Glen

[john4337]

I cleaned up the inside of the top and sprayed a coat of primer.



Leaning toward using a perforated vinyl headliner with a foam lining, something like this

[Alfa02]

My $.02 color match with the car. Can't hardly beat BRG for a Cobra, my next one will be another BRG 289FIA. Cheers Tom.

[john4337]

I misted it with black as a guide coat and blocked it. Could have been worse.

[john4337]

After blocking the second guide coat. Looks better.

[john4337]

Here’s the final fit. If goes well, next post it should have color.

[indianamoon]

Very impressed with what you have been doing. Not sure I would've taken on as much as you. Great job, keep it up. BTW, nice color on your car

[john4337]

Originally Posted by indianamoon

Very impressed with what you have been doing. Not sure I would've taken on as much as you. Great job, keep it up. BTW, nice color on your car

Thank you!

I'm not sure I would have had I known what I was getting into.

I'm looking forward to seeing how your top turns out.

[PDUB]

Looking really good, John!

[john4337]

After a lot of thought, I decided to farm out the paint. Mike at Spotlight Customs knocked it out of the park. He generously gave me an A+ on the prep work. The last photo shows the test panel used when I built the car 12 years ago.

[PDUB]

Nice work!