Progress on #782

[1795]

Dan,

How much was your top from Robbins? I have not ordered mine from ERA yet, they are not getting a new shipment in for a few weeks and I wanted to compare pricing. Thanks.

Jim

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by 1795

Dan,

How much was your top from Robbins? I have not ordered mine from ERA yet, they are not getting a new shipment in for a few weeks and I wanted to compare pricing. Thanks.

Jim

Jim - I actually bought mine through ERA. But it came in a Robbins Tops box and has a Robbins tag sewn into it. I have looked at Robbin's website but they pretty much just advertise for original CSX cars. I can't be sure if it's a straight forward CSX car top (which I suspect it is) or if ERA has them manufactured to their own template. They advise to check with the replica manufactuer for top fit.

ROBBINS AUTO TOP COMPANY | CONVERTIBLE TOPS

[1795]

I was wondering if that might be the case. When I spoke with ERA they said that they had to order more parts for the tops and once they had all of the parts in order, they would ship them out.

Waiting to hear what you hear, and I will be certain to ask a lot of questions when I complete making my order.

[DanEC]

The answer from ERA was to cut the windshield bows off above the clip on the windshield. I cut 3/4 inches above the clip as that left enough for riveting the clasp to. The driver side bow fit on the windshield well but the passenger side was kind of a mess. So I spent about an hour twisting and bending it to get it to fit down over the top of the windshield without drama. I filed down all the rough edges and smoothed out a couple of spots and I'm going down to return it to the powder coaters today to get it re-coated. I expect to have to make one further cut on the back bow but I should be able to touch it up with some semi-flat paint to match the powder coating. Maybe I can resume by next week end.

I guess the lesson learned is if you intend to coat or paint the bows, wait until you get everything trial fitted and then do so.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I guess the lesson learned is...

No, the lesson learned is to just let Jack do it and, instead, concentrate on how your NCAA brackets are doing....

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by patrickt

No, the lesson learned is to just let Jack do it and, instead, concentrate on how your NCAA brackets are doing....

Too far - $1200 shipping there and $1200 shipping back. I will keep plugging away at it. You know I love this do-it-yourself stuff.

[1795]

That is why we do it, the tinkering and aggravation is half the fun Thanks for helping me learn from your mistakes. I will make sure that powder coating the bows is the last thing that I do.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by 1795

That is why we do it, the tinkering and aggravation is half the fun Thanks for helping me learn from your mistakes. I will make sure that powder coating the bows is the last thing that I do.

Jim

I'm still going to have to make one last cut on the rear bow after I get them back but I have some semi-gloss POR 15 that I think will touch up the cut end fine. Jack said to fit the rear bow last, after the top fabric is glued to the front bow. I had (having) them coated with semi-gloss black powder coating. I'm not sure what color they originally were. I would have considered leaving them natural but they had a little surface rust here and there on them.

[DanEC]

I got my bows back from the powder coater and started back at it. Anyone have any observations or suggestions on the slack material above each side curtain? I cranked up the main bow as tight as I thought I should but it didn't make a lot of difference. I can pull a lot of it out by pulling the fabric very tightly down over the turned down end of the windshield bow. Problem is I'm not sure how to pull it that tight and get it glued to where it will hold until I can rivet the bow clamps on.

Tried to call Jack for advice but he's through for the week and won't be back until Monday.