Goldfinger

iTrader: (1)

I just bought a 1990 Vert and the top is shot big time. Right now it has a tarp over it. I have read various threads about top replacement but I have found very little about going with a canvas top versus the OEM style with vinyl. From what I read the Robbins vinyl top is the best route to go if you pick vinyl.

Has anyone chosen to go the other way and have a canvas top installed? If so, would you do it again? Any input on the cost of canvas versus vinyl would be helpful too. If you went canvas was it a custom job or did you order from someone online and have a shop install it.

Last but not least, if anyone in the Charlotte, NC area has had a top replaced, do you have a shop you would recommend to do the work. Thanks!

dazed01

I'd like to know about this also, I need a new top on mine.

nizzan1984

http://www.teamfc3s.org/main/factory...91/14_Body.pdf

Scroll down until you find the top removal section. I took the top/motors out of my vert (track car) and it wasn't really hard to do. If you plan on putting a new top back on, do not lose all of the little nuts and those plastic screws for the headliner. It took me 2hrs to take the top out and that was at 3am, I guess you can say I was a little bored that night...

Good luck!


Edit: and they make different material replacement tops than just the stockies, I believe they sell some on ebay. If you drive the car in the rain, I suggest keeping the stock material. I like the velvet style tops (like on caddys) but they might be a little more expensive to make.

vrracing

iTrader: (1)

We just did ours with the Stayfast cloth top from convertibletopguys.com. It was $700 by the time you include shipping.

I got the Stayfast because I've always liked cloth versus vinyl and they had one in stock. They make them there in Rhode Island. They shipped us new Tenax fasteners but they were the chrome ones and they were female like on the boot cover so they were worthless.

We spent the weekend and put it on ourselves. Turned out absolutely gorgeous. We didnt have any difficulty with any of the procedures. The only challenged we had was that it was 105 both days.

Jim

Goldfinger

iTrader: (1)

VRRACING, Did you put the back window in yourself? You make the whole job sound much easier than most folks who have posted up in the past that they did their own. I would call myself average with mechanical skills but this would be an expensive way to learn the hard way that I am in over my head.

I probably should have also mentioned that my car will stay outside in the elements so does everyone think that the vinyl will last longer than the canvas? Perhaps a cover would help both last longer?

fc3c69

iTrader: (49)

I just had a canvas top installed on my 90 vert and I think it is better than the stock vinyl top. One of my buddies works in convertible top shop, & ordered the one for my car. He received it all precut except for the rear window. He had to cut out my window & install it into the hole that he cut out in the material. The only problem that came up was that my rear trim stick piece was rusted. This is the metal strip that runs along the base of the top, underneath the material & bolts to your car. I simple found a good condition used one and had him put it on. Brand new this piece costs $250 at the dealer. Total cost for the canvas top, installation, & trim piece was $700. If you want pics I can post some.

Goldfinger

iTrader: (1)

Pics would be great. Do you know who he ordered it from?

vrracing

iTrader: (1)

The back window was a piece of cake. The convertibletopguys included RX7 specific instructions. They are pretty good on disassembly but get a little weak on reassembly. For example they never mention the metal strip that runs along the back edge of the top that supports the Tenax fasteners.

In their instruction they have two paths. One is to remove and replace the headliner, the other is to leave it in place. We did the latter. The instructions tell you how to remove the glass and rubber; it was easy. The metal frame stays in place so you don't readjust the straps or anything. Then after you put the new top on there is a procedure to contact cement it to the outer top then you cut it and staple it to the plastic parts of the frame. Then just rope the window back in.

The only thing that would have been really helpful would be a way to ensure the top is exactly centered along the back. As I think JackHild noted in a post the Tenax fastener in the back middle of the car isn't actually centered on the car. That whole procedure was more annoying that I think it should have been.

You need a helper. My 19 year old and I worked together on it.

But if you have any doubts call around and get a quote. Recovering the hardtop part is cake but farming out the back might make sense if the price is right.

If I were doing it again I'd figure 10 hours of my time. Figure your hourly pay and then decide if it makes sense. For me it didnt make sense financially to do it myself but given the kid is growing up and leaving me it was 10 hours I got to spend with him working on something together.

vrracing

iTrader: (1)

Our RX7 was a CA and AZ car and it was obvious the top had been replaced before once we got into it. So this is the third top in 19 years. I owned a 94 Firebird Formula convertible new with a cloth top and after 9 years it still looked perfect when I sold it. My guess is that either will last longer than you'll have the car.

You might call the convertibletopguys and ask them which would last longer and why. They aren't just a reseller they are a manufacturer so I'd think you'd get a useful response from them.

Goldfinger

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the input. The more I think about it, the more I think I'll farm this work out. The existing top is in such bad shape from the prior owner(s), the headliner will also have to be replaced. With a decent quality top going in the $500 to $700 range, I don't think I want to risk screwing this one up. I'd prefer to save the bucks and do it myself but sometimes it's best to just "call the guy" who does this for a living. I just have to decide whether I want to go canvas or vinyl. Might be cruising some parking lots this weekend checking out the tops.

Goldfinger

iTrader: (1)

Well, after calling around Charlotte, it looks like the going price to replace the top with a vinyl one is $1,500! You'd think that someone out there would be more affordable if the retail cost for the roof is around$500. I cannot believe that it is a $1,000 labor job.

Evil Aviator

Ask the shop how much it would cost if you supply the new top. I noticed the same price issue locally, and found out that it was due to the local shops getting screwed on the price of the top from their suppliers. In my region, the suppliers wanted $1,200 for the same materials that I could order on the internet for $800.

Goldfinger

iTrader: (1)

Good idea. I've been looking online and should be able to source everything needed for a canvas replacement front and rear with a new headliner for around $650 to $850. If what I have been reading is correct, labor should be another $300 to $400. That should put me in the $1,000 to $1,200 range all in which is more in line with what I am looking to pay. If I change my mind and go with the vinyl top I should be able to get it all in for around $850 to $1000 I think.

88noroof

get a cover anyway...mine top likes to leak in 3 places and for some reason its raining a hell of a lot more now in the fall when i no longer have a garage.

Evil Aviator

I am also shopping for a new top, but as usual, I need to time the shipment between business trips so the package doesn't sit outside my house for a week, lol.

I found a good price on a Robbins top here:
http://cartopsplus.com/products.php?cat=170

I also found this website:
http://www.kwiktops.com/item--MAZDA-...8-92--rx7.html

Goldfinger

iTrader: (1)

Kwiktops has the best prices I have found so far.

jackhild59

iTrader: (7)

I used Aabestco top. That company seems to be out of business-the web site is gone and they are not on Ebay anymore.

Search for threads on the club regarding Kwiktops. There were significant issues with poor fit at one time, seems that the pattern was made wrong and it was impossible to get the tops to fit. I do not know if the manufacturer has corrected it.

Edit: Here is the thread: https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...rtible+top+fit

Robbins is on Ebay and sells fabric or vinyl. Great reputation expensive top. One issue is that the Robbins tops on ebay specifically say that they have no rainguards.

Rob XX 7

iTrader: (8)

i have a 8 year old ( or so ) robbins, no rain guard.
I think the top looks much better without the rain guard. For a car staying outside get the stock style material, its very easy to keep clean.

I was going to have my canvas shop make a "half" cover for convertibles, meaning it would cover the canopy only when you put the top up to keep rain and snow out.

I think because its a low volume project for him the cost was going to be $200+, sadly I know alot of FC owners would never pay that for the top.

The idea of it was a FULL cover is not a easy thing to throw in the trunk, its also not the thing you want if you park your car in the street or if you come home and its already raining or you car is very dirty. The top was going to be made of Sunbrella material which is what we use on boats.

I wanted it because my car sat outside all the time, in the winter it sat under a good cover, but when I used the car and we got a heavy rain the inside of a convertible gets wet, I wanted a much easier to handle cover and being that it would cover all the glass it would also keep sun off the interior.

I still have the plans in my head, but I have to be realistic with what people will pay for one.

Evil Aviator

Yes, but you have to go to their affiliate website
http://cartopsplus.com/products.php?cat=170
to get the better-quality Robbins or EZ ON tops. Given the small amount of price difference, I don't think it is worth it to buy the cheapie tops unless you are just replacing the top so you can sell the car for a higher price with a new top vs. a torn top.

The original S4 tops didn't have rainguards, so Robbins made their S4 tops without rainguards. If you like the rainguards you can just order the Robbins S5 top and install it on your S4 car. See the bottom of this page:
http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/mazda.php

Rob XX 7

iTrader: (8)

by the way, when I had my top professionally installed he said it was not so simple, if I remember right I had another shop tell me 8-10 hours to do the top.
So 8-9 years ago or so I think the first price I got to do the top was around $1300-$1500 so they are not totally out of line, geography plays a huge part in labor rates, some shops may want $40 a hour some may need $90+

SpikeDerailed

iTrader: (7)

ouch...i live in charlotte also and my top is getting to be in bad shape >.<

fc3c69

iTrader: (49)

Here are the pics of my canvas top. I will have to ask him from who he ordered it from. I know it was from some place in New York.

[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]

Goldfinger

iTrader: (1)

SWEET! That top looks awesome. So you think the look, durability, etc. is worth the extra bucks? It just seems to dress the RX7 up a little bit more in my opinion. Did you also replace the headliner at the same time and if so what color did you go with?

Goldfinger

iTrader: (1)

By the way, thanks for posting up the pics that really helps a great deal to actually see one on the car.

fc3c69

iTrader: (49)

I prefer the canvas over vinyl. I think that it is well worth the extra bucks. The canvas material is actually pretty thick and looks as if it will hold up pretty well. I did not have to replace the headliner because when it was taken out it was in like new condition.