undecided softtop or stay topless

[priobe]

Hello all,

I have been trying to decide weather or not to get a softtop for the Cobra.

I have not painted the car but looking to have it paint in about 3 weeks. I feel that if I am going to put a softtop on it I should do it now.

I already have a tonneu cover in case it rains which I had to use once. I really dont think the top is reliable for rain but would not know.

Also, I could just imagine how hot it is in the cockpit with the top on and no A/C

You thought and comments please.

[Yetiman]

I have a top for mine, but no side curtains. I consider the top a non feature, and it resides under my bed.
With side curtains it might be more usefull, but it doesn't work well by itself. It works more like a parachute and I worried about breaking the windshield the couple times I used it.

[priobe]

Thank you for the feed back

STRIKE 1 !

[Ron61]

If you do put on the soft top, watch your speed. Go to fast and it will rip most of them off. Saw it happen twice to two people here.

Ron

[Got the Bug]

The soft top and side curtains come standard with the SPF. They should offer it as an option, since most people (like me) never take it out the bag. Mine is sitting in the garage collecting dust.

[James Stern]

I was thinking about the same issue a couple of months ago. I decided that I didn't want to take a chance with the snaps scratching the paint. I also read a thread about how many people actually use the tops & side windows. It was mostly left in their trunks (boots) and rarely put up. The last question you have to ask yourself is; "Do I really want to take the car out in questionable weather?" Either way it is your decision to make.

[Blittleton]

I personnally like the top for one reason. It allows you to drive in cooler weather. Most will not drive in the rain anyway. But this allows you to drive sooner and later in the season. My 2 cents worth.

Bill

[priobe]

My plans were not to drive in the rain, but more importantly to get the car home if I was out and got caught in the rain.

[COBRAGAR]

Build it as if you where to install top now .that way if you decide to get a top all the ferrule are in. All you have to do decide when to purchase the top at later date . Imho

[1985 CCX]

I have often thought the same thing! All the folks with tops I know never use them. That is thye reason I never pull the trigger as I too would probably never use.

At what speed do they blow off?

I heard that >55 is not suggested with top? If that is the case I would forego the purchase.

[priobe]

Cobragar,

Have not seen you in awhile. I have all the lift a dots and ferrule. The only concern I have is are they in the mright place?

[JBo]

The early and late use in spring and fall is great...start the tour with top up and maybe heater on and finish with top down...sun permitting. As to rain...it works better than a poncho and hood and is a lot safer. I keep it in and curtains in trunk as appropriate.

[JBo]

As the original, MKI, MKII and MKIII's as well as MKIV's owners manauals said...do not exceed 60MPH with top erected (and that is the word erected)

[rustyBob]

Hard top is only way to go no snaps to scratch body and you dont rip your nuckles open polishing around the snaps ,and yes it gets HOT inside with the top on but you dont fry your bald spot either.............

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

The soft top and side curtains come standard with the SPF. They should offer it as an option, since most people (like me) never take it out the bag. Mine is sitting in the garage collecting dust.

I'm in the same boat as you. Mine is in the garage, and will stay there until I sell it with the car.

[Rickd]

For quick rain storms - a golf umbrella can help (stopped naturally!!). I've been in rain on the turnpike - and the rain goes right over the car as long as you are at 40+mph(might be different in a REAL downpour). Like you say, most people drive them like a motor cycle - good weather. The only challenge comes with a long trip - and for that I have the car cover. Pull over cover it, and chill. But like Garcia said, put the ferrules in and have it all set for a top - then if you DO decide - you just need to have it fitted for the car and your snap placement.

[patrickt]

The top up and side curtains on definately looks cool. I do it once a year, for the last ride before I put her away until Spring. ERA soft tops & curtains are not cheap -- about two grand. I can't honestly say that it's worth it.

[Tom Cimino]

I live in Ohio where we get about 60 sunny days a year. I use the top quite often. It keeps most of the rain out, but I still get plenty wet. It is hilarious to watch me get in and out with the top up. I'm 6' tall and about 260#.

[tuska]

Wasnt there a aero hard top i saw somewhere?...more low drag design..would give you normal road speed ability! but i think it would be a before leave home decision. not a o **** wherd that down pour come from!

[Cobra Okie]

I bought my car as a driver, and have a fiberglass top that probably will never be removed, love it for the driving I do. Got the car last October, and with the top was able to drive it all winter, building nearly 4k miles in that time. Without the top I doubt if I'd have any where near those miles. Now that summer is upon us, I like the top for sun protection, and yes to protect that bald spot!! Have to agree with an earlier post, it's a lot tougher to get into with the top on, so you may want to consider that. I'm 5' 9" at 150 lbs., so have little problems once I've learned how to maneuver in & out. Only have had the car up to 100 mph so far with no problems, but do give some thought about those occassional heavy wind gusts from passing trucks bowing the top very slightly when they pass. Have considered adding another windshield clamp (has two now) but haven't done it yet. I'm not the typical Cobra traditionalist, just want a car that suits my driving, and with nearly 6k miles on it in the past 7 months it indeed is a year round driver. In short, love the fiberglass top, good luck on your personal decision.