Soft top on 58

[Debra P.]

Hi Guys,Once again I need your help. With the help of my neiegbor I removed the hardtop, it's been on since about October, the soft top was on before that. I don't know for how long, I just bought the car in September. I wanted to clean the soft top & lube the hinges. 1) What kind of lube do I use on the hinges & what's the best product to use on the rubber part of the weatherstripping, it's lined with fuzzy material. 2) The top is the original, some of the stiching is starting to seperate, it that repairable ?
3) I couldn't clamp down the top, is there an order, do you clip front hinges first or do you do the rear deck hinges or alternate ? I am very weak & even had a tough time putting it back into the compartment. So now I'm stuck with the top down. Thank goodness I live in Arizona ! I know I can go to my mechanic, but I would like to be able to do it myself & not force anything. It would kill me to see a latch come flying out of the deck. I just bought a new frame, it just has to be bolted in & I have Al Knock making me a special top for my own use, I want the rear window to zipper open, AZ gets relly hot. I still want the original in good order. It is my intention to keep it stored in a controlled temp in an open position to preserve it, this is a B.G. "Survivor" & I am trying to keep it together. I like driving my car. Can someone give me some pointers. Thanks in advance to all you guys who have helped me in the past.
Deb
# 42699

[Roy B.]

Re: Soft top on 58

Debra ! did you see the pic. I posted on the front weatherstripping showing the original soft top header rubber?
If the material was never changed , it should look the same. Can you let use know? Using a little WD40 should help freeing the frame assy up.

[Roy B.]

Re: Soft top on 58

Debra ! did you see the pic. I posted on the front weatherstripping showing the original soft top header rubber?
If the material was never changed , it should look the same. Can you let use know? Using a little WD40 should help freeing the frame assy up.

[scott scearce]

Re: Soft top on 58

Hi Debra,

Unfortunately, there is no real easy to put the softtop on. Here in San Jose,Ca. I had some body work done on my top by the top guy in town with many years of experience and he showed me the way to do it in the best order.

1. Open up the top, put the guide pins into the windshield frame and put the front clamps into their respective slots but do not clamp them down.

2. Push down the back side and connect each deck lid clamp into their respective wire pin located on the bottom of the softtop.

3. Clamping down the drivers side deck lid clamp works best on my car. This is real chore and you might need help. Do the passengers side next. If you have help have one person go outside and push down on the softtop frame where the clamp is and the other clamp it down.

Other things I have learned in the 1.5 years since I have had my 1960. When you fold up the soft top, you and another person lay a soft towel across the rear window and fold down the top with the towel covering the window. This protects the rear window from getting
damaged when it is stored. Also, make sure the front clamps are set so that they will clamp the tightest. Do this by loosening the front clamp screws, pushing the clamp assembly up all the way and tightening very tightly. Make sure the hardtop clamps are also in same position.

Good Luck.

[scott scearce]

Re: Soft top on 58

Hi Debra,

Unfortunately, there is no real easy to put the softtop on. Here in San Jose,Ca. I had some body work done on my top by the top guy in town with many years of experience and he showed me the way to do it in the best order.

1. Open up the top, put the guide pins into the windshield frame and put the front clamps into their respective slots but do not clamp them down.

2. Push down the back side and connect each deck lid clamp into their respective wire pin located on the bottom of the softtop.

3. Clamping down the drivers side deck lid clamp works best on my car. This is real chore and you might need help. Do the passengers side next. If you have help have one person go outside and push down on the softtop frame where the clamp is and the other clamp it down.

Other things I have learned in the 1.5 years since I have had my 1960. When you fold up the soft top, you and another person lay a soft towel across the rear window and fold down the top with the towel covering the window. This protects the rear window from getting
damaged when it is stored. Also, make sure the front clamps are set so that they will clamp the tightest. Do this by loosening the front clamp screws, pushing the clamp assembly up all the way and tightening very tightly. Make sure the hardtop clamps are also in same position.

Good Luck.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Soft top on 58

Sounds like a nice original top, but I doubt that you will ever get it to latch, and it is more likely that you will damage the latches or something else. Wait till July, in Arizonia, you might have a chance.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Soft top on 58

Sounds like a nice original top, but I doubt that you will ever get it to latch, and it is more likely that you will damage the latches or something else. Wait till July, in Arizonia, you might have a chance.

[Debra P.]

Re: Soft top on 58

Thanks Scott, this is what I wanted to know. When I first got the car we put the top down to check everything before I bought the car. I had a few NCRS guys there to inspect the car for me, & with some effort we got the top back up.To transport the hardtop we had to ofcourse put the top down. I'm sure with some help I will be able to put it up again. Thank you for your step by step instructions. I will let you know when I get the top back up.
Deb

[Debra P.]

Re: Soft top on 58

Thanks Scott, this is what I wanted to know. When I first got the car we put the top down to check everything before I bought the car. I had a few NCRS guys there to inspect the car for me, & with some effort we got the top back up.To transport the hardtop we had to ofcourse put the top down. I'm sure with some help I will be able to put it up again. Thank you for your step by step instructions. I will let you know when I get the top back up.
Deb

[Debra P.]

Re: Soft top on 58

Roy, I looked through the archives. I do indeed have the original top. I also checked my judgeing sheets, from NCRS & Bloomington. It is the real deal.
Thanks,
Deb

[Debra P.]

Re: Soft top on 58

Roy, I looked through the archives. I do indeed have the original top. I also checked my judgeing sheets, from NCRS & Bloomington. It is the real deal.
Thanks,
Deb