convertible top or not

marcalan · #1 (**permalink**) 06-06-2006, 06:04 PM

Hi, I am new to this forum. I was just informed this week that my ERA 289 FIA frame is back from powder coat and that the tank is mounted. This has generated some exciting conversations in my house as to what other options I had asked for and what I should add. We are contemplating having ERA install the convertable top. The manual suggests a profesional do this, so we thought we would have ERA do this. My question is, to those of you that have convertible tops on your FIAs, do you use them or is this an option that we can pass on?

Thanks in advance

Marc-Alan

ZOERA-SC7XX · #2 (**permalink**) 06-06-2006, 07:03 PM

In my opinion, a top just defeats the purpose of the whole Cobra concept. As long as you have another car or truck to use in inclement weather, spend your money on other options...just keep a couple of rain slickers in the trunk for emergency.
I'll have a tonneau cover for when my 427 SC is parked outside.
Good luck with your FIA
PS What is the chassis number?

marcalan · #3 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 03:16 AM

When I called and Peter had told me that the chassis had come back from powder coat and he gave me the number. I was so surprised, and jumping up and down with anticipation, that I did not write it down.

I will give him a call today and get it.

rdorman · #4 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 05:24 AM

If it is a trailer queen, don't worry about a top. If actually plan on driving the thing, get a top! I can't imagine having to skip something I want to attend or some place I want to go simply because it is raining. Like last year when I drove the car to Alabama. It POURED down rain on the way back. Without the top I would have had to stop and wait it out... which in this case would have been about 24 hours.

cobrajeff · #5 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 05:53 AM

I ordered my FIA without a top, too. I changed my mind later, and ordered a top for it. I installed it myself, but if I had it to do over again, I'd have ERA install it - they really know what they are doing.

Another thing I'd do differently if I had it to do over again - I would have ERA do the paint, too. I had a local custom painter do mine - it's really nice (and I have won at least one "Best Paint" award at a show), but, I don't think it's TWICE as nice (like the price was) as the paintwork from ERA's regular sub-suppliers.

regards,

Jeff

DonC · #6 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 06:58 AM

I went with the top and side curtains on my 427 S/C (ERA684),since I got the car to drive, and have never regretted it. They are stowed in the trunk and go everywhere with me. When I want to go somewhere or do something I just go, no worries.
Being from the great northwet, where it isn't unusual to have more than 40 days in a row with measurable rain fall. the top has extended my driving season from 3 months to almost 6.
Last September included a 7 day trip for my wife and I from Portland to San Francisco to Carmel and back to Portland via the pacific coast. Made the trip without a single thought about inclement weather. The top made the trip even more fun and relaxed.
Have ERA do the fitting since they have the experience and expertise. You won't be sorry.
DonC

*13* · #7 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcalan

Hi, I am new to this forum. I was just informed this week that my ERA 289 FIA frame is back from powder coat and that the tank is mounted. This has generated some exciting conversations in my house as to what other options I had asked for and what I should add. We are contemplating having ERA install the convertable top. The manual suggests a profesional do this, so we thought we would have ERA do this. My question is, to those of you that have convertible tops on your FIAs, do you use them or is this an option that we can pass on?

Thanks in advance

Marc-Alan

Have ERA Do it. I had mine done elsewhere & they did a good job but I stood over them the whole time to make sure they did it to the best of their ability. One thing right off that most upholsteres won't likely know is that the back bar goes backwards not forwards as on a lot of 427 cars. I had to show my guys a picture to prove it.

Also ERA nows their car & how to install the top after doing a number of them. Hassle free

There are some pics in my gallery

Chaplin · #8 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 07:59 AM

top? you don't need no stinkin' top!

*13* · #9 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 08:01 AM

Be carefull around here. Most of these guys/gals like to go topless even if they shouldn't.

dblbarrel · #10 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 08:48 AM

Get the top and side curtains. They can be very handy, when you take the car on a trip.

wtm442 · #11 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 11:11 AM

Anyone that says go with a top is probably not too tall. Getting in or out of a Cobra with the top on may be impossible for many owners who are not height challenged.

Rain? You will not melt. Find an overpass. Put a big baggie over your head. You will not be caught in enough rainstorms to make it worthwhile.

Go for more motor ... you will appreciate that a lot more than a pain-in-the-a$$ top that takes 30 minutes to put on, and leaks like the Titantic.

*13* · #12 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 11:50 AM

I'm about 6'1" & can manage in & out of mine pretty easily though I'm not too horizontally challenged

It's not gonna be like your Toyota Tercel or anything but it ain't all bad

dblbarrel · #13 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 11:56 AM

I am 6 ' can get in and out. have to bend down to see out the side curtains.
Wttm442, I bet you have never been caught in a 700 mile rain storm. like we were coming home from WSCB.

ROUSHAC · #14 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 05:14 PM

wtm442,

What is "not too tall"?

I'm 6'5", 280 lbs., and 57 years old (not as flexible as I once was). I have no problem getting in or out with the soft top on or seeing out the side curtains.

Cheers!
Dave

ROUSHAC · #15 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 05:19 PM

My Cobra is a daily driver. We get a LOT of rainy days here, and even though you do not get too wet as long as the car is moving, those darn stoplight stops are what get you soaked.

Cheers!
Dave

marcalan · #16 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 06:04 PM

Hi all, thanks for the input. I am going to get the top, and have ERA put it on.

As to the the chassis number, Peter tells me it is 2112

Marc-Alan

*13* · #17 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 06:57 PM

24 cars after mine, Good number!

ROUSHAC · #18 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 07:21 PM

marcalan,

Wise moves - both getting the top, and having the "pros" do it.

Enjoy your Cobra!!!

Cheers!
Dave

Lowell W · #19 (**permalink**) 06-08-2006, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wtm442

Anyone that says go with a top is probably not too tall. Getting in or out of a Cobra with the top on may be impossible for many owners who are not height challenged.

Rain? You will not melt. Find an overpass. Put a big baggie over your head. You will not be caught in enough rainstorms to make it worthwhile.

Go for more motor ... you will appreciate that a lot more than a pain-in-the-a$$ top that takes 30 minutes to put on, and leaks like the Titantic.

Come on...and you have a Superformance????? In 3 years and almost 18,000 miles I've had the top up DOZENS of times. I can put it up or take it down in 5 minutes. In 30° weather with a coat on, it's cozy in my car with the top up. A sudden rainstorm won't ruin the whole day: I just put the top up and take it down when the rain is over. Sure, some rain comes in but driving around in a cozy, intimate roadster with the top up is a lot more fun (for you and whomever) than driving around with wet pants and a freakin' baggie over your head.

Oh yeah...I'm 6'6" tall and 220# and I can get in and out just fine...

Get the top!

Lowell

rdorman · #20 (**permalink**) 06-08-2006, 05:45 AM

Something else that is really handy to have is a cockpit cover, the kind that clip to the lip around the wheel well. They go up in seconds and cover the interior nicely when parked. A tonneau is fine but the water pools in it. Search around here and I am sure you will find the type I am talking about.

In the winter, I put the top on the car and leave it. If I get a nice sunny day I just kick on the heater and drive! Much more comfortable then a dozen layers of cloths and frost bit ears! When we where driving across the high desert of New Mexico, it was dark, 28 degrees with 60 mile per hour winds. Without the top, we would have stopped!

DON'T forget to have a tensioner installed on the windshield. The top will pull the frame right off the glass. Don't ask how I know this!