Karlw144 Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 I’m getting to the point where I need to consider getting a new top for my ‘90. Top is roughly $1000, and installation is about the same. Has anyone here attempted to do their own top installation? thanks karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Jake Moran Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 I have not, but I might ask Marck from East Coast Reatta. And perhaps someone has instructions or an old post search might bring up this topic with photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryLime Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 Not a Reatta, but I did a top replace on a 450 SL . The old top was the pattern for new installation. Very straightforward . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y-JobFan Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 $1000 is a lot of money to experiment with, having watched tops being put on various cars, I personally would never try it and I am not afraid to take on most projects Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 I replaced a top on a Reatta convertible about 2 years ago and it was very easy. There is no stretching so to speak and all you have to do is first align the beading of the new top over the windshield and glue it and put on the strip and then do the same at the rear. Make sure the top is aligned squarely and glue and attach the top in the rear and you are done. The top attaches solely to the frame so there is no stretching to make it fit to the body. I think last time I paid just over $ 500 from Tops On Line but just last Thursday I ordered another one from them and it was $ 440. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y-JobFan Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 Is that with a glass window and all the proper padded lining? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karlw144 Posted April 13, 2021 Author Share Posted April 13, 2021 Yes, it has the glass window and the interior “headliner”. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y-JobFan Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 6 hours ago, Karlw144 said: Yes, it has the glass window and the interior “headliner”. that question was for Jim on the one he saw for $440 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 The one I ordered from topsonline will come with a plastic back window. This car is a rust free '90 convertible from FL/OK and I will be selling it but I am guessing the buyer will use this car for pleasure and not judging so by putting in a plastic window I will have less in the car and can sell it for less. One note about topsonline is I just called them today. I ordered the top on April 8th and there is a 4 week time lag so I won't get the top until estimated May 9. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y-JobFan Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 I drove one with the plastic window and the top also felt thinner and found it to be noisier with the top up, also the rear defogger would be missed. I passed on this particular beautiful example because I personally could not live with the plastic window and the cost of replacing the new top was just not cost effective. Plastic windows also get ugly quickly. I can see both sides on a flip car but certainly a risky move, that few hundred dollars saved may totally turn off a buyer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 When I replaced my top, I went with Blue Haartz cloth with a heated glass rear window. Had a blue interior. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karlw144 Posted April 15, 2021 Author Share Posted April 15, 2021 Padgett, is that a top from Marck? Did you do it yourself? Are you happy with it? Thanks karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 No longer have car, got top from out west and took several months to receive. Paid $500 to be installed. Was very happy with it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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