Soft Top Ferrules, when to install?

[Double Venom]

So you know,
I have put Ital-cobra (Joseph) to work for me. Joseph is to try and find at least five guys comitted to a top, me included. I do have a CRII top in my shop and I have thought about this long and hard. I am in an area that I could have these duplicated but I need at least five tops to get the metal guys and the upholsterer involved. IF we can get enough committed guys to do this I will have them made-all of them in 30 to 45 days including the bows. Maybe's, propbably's wont work as this is coming out of my pocket- the Mrs. has threatened death if I use our funds!

Bottom line: five tops, say $250.00 balance on each top and I will get started. Balance due before shipping. I do not know the final cost but assume it will be a little LESS or equeal to a CRII top.
What say you?
DV
PS Don't anybody send any money until this is a done and committed deal!

[Hray]

I will be building my CR soon, I would be interested in a soft top depending on final costs.

I have a fiberglass top from a 67 MG convert. I am thinking of doing some modifications to make it fit my CR. anyone ever hear of such. with the top just sitting on the cobra it seems possible.

[Ital-cobra]

DV, looks like we have some people intrested...guys lets get this done...if you know of anyone else that is looking for tops please send them my way I'll keep them posted.

Thanks Joseph

[G_Edmonds]

DV,
Would the tops all be black or would there be other options.
Thx,
Greg

[Double Venom]

COLORS;
Good question, unless the upholsterer has to order just enough material for 'a' top I'm sure that all the standard colors are available. Possibly even more. I will be using a professional Boat top upholsterer. (They make bimini tops for all the boats from cruisers to flybridge models.) I am ASSUMING white of course, black, blues, browns, etc. But if there are enough orders for tops in general I will then approach them seriously, get the colors available and put together a realistic price for the metal work, tops, zippers etc, so we have a total price.

In case it was misunderstood, no money wanted now please, just solid commitments, when all the details are taken care of and an order is placed then I will need the deposits.
More questions?
DV

[G_Edmonds]

DV,
I'm just not picturing what you are describing with the tubing installed in the body. Is there some sort of head sticking out above the body surface. I saw a CR last week at a gathering and he had them in the doors for a tonneau top.
Thx,
Greg

[Double Venom]

Greg,
there are two bows needed to fit into the body and give the top a no wrinkeled look, plus they are needed at 'speed' or the top will just blow in the wind. The windows have a steel/aluminum frame work sewed in so they too will retain their shape. Each window has a marine "plastic" zipper so that they can be opened. The windows, sides and the three in the back are of top quality marine visqueen. The tops Don provided were first class and I assure you these will have to be done as or better than the originals.
DV

[Double Venom]

Maybe this bigger picture will help a little, with the steel frames in the windows theycan be used by themselves!


DV

[tcrist]

DV,
Is there a standard patern for the snaps/pins on the body. Mine already has pins insalled from the previous owner. My guess is that I would need to remove the existing pins, fill the holes and repaint before trying to install a new top.

Terry

[Ital-cobra]

Here's a rear view of the top hope this helps.

[Double Venom]

Terry,
The pin snaps were supposed to follow a patern, which I will try to duplicate, BUT each top had the rear snaps a little off from car to car. With luck no filling and re-drilling would be necessary, but then again....(Don't fill/re-drill unless necessary!)
DV
P.S. if you have a standard sized 4-point roll bar from side to side then you probably don't even need to use the bows. The long roll bar really works well!

[TWOOD]

Hello Ed (DV),
Don and Pete at CRII managed to get every part delivered to me (much totheir credit) over the past two years that were owed me,......except the soft top.
I knew they lost their supplier and were working to find a replacement, but no top. And now no CRII for all practical purposes.
I would like to eventually have a soft top , and would have been interested in your proposed joint venture to secure them, but I'll have to wait to see if I can at least get my $1500 refunded by Don once he clears himself from his current dilemma. (I'd much rather get the top from him than the money, but I think I'm looking up a dead horse's ass).
So....I'm not signing up just yet, just expressing another owner's desire to have a "roof". Tom

[Ital-cobra]

Hey Tom,

I hope you come onboard with this one I need a top soon... I'm about to go to paint and I dont want to mess with trying to fit a top once my paint is finished.

Joseph

[Double Venom]

Tom,
I understand, believe me I do, being out the mpney is tough too. That's why I will take no money but a simple deposit when I actually have the orders then COD to me. We have a lot of guys, like yourself, but you can see why I can not committ until we are on solid ground.
Hang in there.
DV

[TC Cobra]

DV,

I'm in!! Black, please.

Do you have any rough idea as to timing? I'd like to have it before the middle of June for my annual trip to London, OH.

Let me know what I need to do re: money, etc.

Thanks!
Dwain

[Double Venom]

This makes three solids- Need two more before I can approach the other manufacturers. Shouldn't take but a few weeks once we get at least 5 on board.

The only day of gloom is see in front of us is if I have to install the top that I have in shop and send it homne before we are ready to go! (I definately need one to copy from.)
DV

[Ital-cobra]

Hey DV things are looking good ....I'm sure there 's more people out there that would like a top


Lets do it guys

[J. T. Toad]

DV
put me down for some interest. Based on my last communication (1+ yr ago with (IMO) dork butt Pete Johnson) I knew that hell would freeze first. (all I wanted then was the ferrules to fills the holes I have. I am sick of answering why those are there on my painted car)

I don't expect anything from Don. He has done more with the baggage he received from that Rutherford clan, and that was 5 years ago. Our legal system sucks. Seriously.

I would need some clear specifics.

[J. T. Toad]

oh, I have the full width roll bar Don was selling with the kit. Please tell me I won't have any trouble getting it to fit.

[Double Venom]

J.T.,
Good to hear from you-ya Pete was put into a rather hole in a rock. With the full bar you can go with OR without the top bows. What questions could I help with?
DV