Soft Top

JIM GALLO · #1 (**permalink**) 11-12-2001, 12:55 PM

Has anyone installed and run with a Shell Valley soft top?
I finally made up my mind to make the plunge.

greenwater · #2 (**permalink**) 11-12-2001, 04:59 PM

Jim,

I can't speak about shell valley's soft-top but I would think they are all pretty the same. I have one for my replica and the drawbacks that come to my mind are the followings: noisy as they confined the noise from the car inside. Limiting your speed as they balloon from the still incoming air ( mine had a notice from the seller not to exceed 60 mph with it...I actually did a bit faster but would not like much faster. Eventually ,if caught in the rain it would keep out about 90 percent of it....I consider it as an emergency device not something to go cruise in bad weather with.

Now that wasn't a shell valley car/top ....could it be they are different? Somebody could precise maybe.

If its something to keep you dry maybe the hard-top would be a better option.

EF4236 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-12-2001, 08:12 PM

Jim, I bought a kit top from Shell Valley 2 years ago. Greenwater is correct in that it's a pain to put up when it rains. Noisy, and does balloon. The good side is when I was in Nebraska and Kansas last summer I used it every night, The rain there would drown frogs. I also use in the winter to keep my cover out of the seat. I would buy a Tonneau cover before I bought a top again. I also spent a ton of money to have it installed, the first guy didn't have clue what to do so experimented(?). The second guy made it work right, only it cost twice. My wife likes it because her hair doen't blow into her face, and I have to travel slower. 30 years ago she didn't mind my 60 vette on the open road, Buzz and Todd. It will be harder to get in and out of the car when it's on. I'm 53 and I don't bend everywhere I used to.

Ed Felt

Lincoln · #4 (**permalink**) 11-12-2001, 09:52 PM

I run in Washington and Oregon and can tell you, that the soft top, will not keep you dry. They like to leak, at the window posts and in through the back. I have hit a over a hundred, with my factory top, and had the side curtain slap me, hard! Oops! I try to keep it under 60 now. One advantage, that I find, is with the side curtains off, it keeps you from baking, in the direct sun of summer. Although, under 70, you can wear a cap, if you have to.

Kim Pallister · #5 (**permalink**) 11-13-2001, 12:27 AM

I just received my collapsible convertible top built by Rick Young (who frequents this forum). He was building them for LAE/NWE/B&B cars, but will now be building them for FF's. Anyhow, I'm REALLY impressed with the job he did. $1500 for a top with collapsing frame, tonneau cover for the folded-down roof, and framed lexan windows is a WAY better deal than the standard 'basic' top that others sell for the same price.

I plan on posting some pics in the next couple days.

Regardless of where you get a top, do a search of this site for posts by him, and you'll find a good set of instructions on how to (somewhat) waterproof your car. There's a lot of leaky spots you don't know about!

Okiesnake · #6 (**permalink**) 11-13-2001, 08:27 AM

Kim,
I was unsuccessful in finding posts by Rick Young on soft top weather proofing. Would you post some links? I too am inspired to work on improving the weatherbility of my soft top. I have come to accept that 100% weather proof is not going to happen but I do feel that there is room for improvement.

JIM GALLO · #7 (**permalink**) 11-13-2001, 01:08 PM

Yes, I know the top will leak. As Maury points out, the British cars leaked. I am not made of sugar so I won't melt, but I am sure that with the wind not sucking out my body heat I will be more comfortable.
I hope that a Shell Valley owner sees this post and replies.

flipper35 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-13-2001, 01:23 PM

I got my Cobra when Steve Swaboda still owned the company so mine may be different. I have only used it two or three times and I stayed relatively dry, but I never finished the windows since the top is such a PAIN to put on and just as much a pain to drive with it on. If you want to use a top, I would go with a hard top and a tonneau cover to protect the seats from the sun. Now that I live in the desert, I really have no use for it. I don't even carry it in the trunk anymore, it just isn't worth the trouble. The hard top would be nice in the summer sun to keep from baking, but at 110 - 120 degrees with no A/C I don't drive it in the daytime anyway.

Kim Pallister · #9 (**permalink**) 11-14-2001, 01:03 AM

Here's the thread with Rick's post:

B&B and LA Exotics owners club!

I've got my windshield all sealed and back onto the car, and have the roof on. I'll be doing the windows later this week, and then working on things like sealing the hole for the handbrake, etc

I'm taking pictures along the way, and will put them on my website when done.

K

Okiesnake · #10 (**permalink**) 11-14-2001, 11:29 AM

Kim,
Thanks for the link. Good info.
Hurry up and get the top set up and post those pics on your web site! I still haven't figured out how to better seal up around the side curtains.
Okiesnake