Fix'n to buy a top. So many vendors......

[Danno]

Danno, Not to bash a vender, but who was the supplier of the ebay purchase? I am assuming that it is a Hartz by the look of it. Getting ready to do one myself over Christmas vacation and would rather spend a bit more than have install issues
Many Thanks

The Ebay seller was diamondmall and I bought this back in 9/24/2007 for 124.99 (+29.99 s/h +optional $2.99 insurance). I didn't see the actual brand name on my receipt, but he does sell some Haarz tops for other makes and models.

I see very few complaints with the seller (99.9% rating on ebay), I remember sending an email and getting a quick response as well as receiving my item in good time.

Looks like the same top is about 170+25s/h nowadays, so i got a decent deal on it, IMHO.

[seabeelt]

Thanks, I'm leaning toward convertible top guys (they are about 20 miles from my house) or Germanax. They are about $20 difference in price, but I like the idea of being able to go to the shop if I need to

[Exit98]

Got the top from TopsOnLine.com I think it was $300. It is canvas. I had it professionally installed, about $250.

[davery]

I think I have decided on Germanex. I just need to decide on vinyl or canvas. Opinions?

[rodman]

Let me know how you like it cause I want to order a new top as well....

check these out ....

http://topsonline.com/model/Convertible ... arina.html

[whiterabbit]

Hey Exit,
How's the details on that top? Enough material?Velcro? Grommets for the cables? Window flaps?,Heat sealed? Etc,etc,etc??
Pretty much narrowed down to Autorecambi,Convertible tops Guys and Germanex for me. Looks like vinyl also because the car is pretty much a daily driver.

[Exit98]

Hey Exit,
How's the details on that top? Enough material?Velcro? Grommets for the cables? Window flaps?,Heat sealed? Etc,etc,etc??
Pretty much narrowed down to Autorecambi,Convertible tops Guys and Germanex for me. Looks like vinyl also because the car is pretty much a daily driver.

Wow, I'm really not sure. It fits good, very tight and doesn't leak. I know that we were caught in a driving downpour and stayed dry. Velcro and window flaps are good. Don't know about grommet or heat seal. Fits neatly across the front. I like the canvas.

[seabeelt]

http://www.1aauto.com/1A/ConvertibleTop ... 30922/1971. Anyone ever try these guys.
From what I can tell it appears to be a Robbins top. Trying to decide (even though this is the euro vinyl, they sell both kinds) between them and Convertible top guys as they are local - somewhat

[seabeelt]

http://www.1aauto.com/1A/ConvertibleTop ... 30922/1971. Anyone ever try these guys.
From what I can tell it appears to be a Robbins top. Trying to decide (even though this is the euro vinyl, they sell both kinds) between them and Convertible top guys as they are local - somewhat

Update on the top search. Spent a good 20 minutes with the folks at "1aauto'" via a live chat. Couldnt answer any questions regarding the top. First said they didnt even make it, then when I show them the link - Oh Yes, Sorry - but the do not make it and then fluffed me off to ACME somewhere in CA with phone number 800-288-6078. NOT a good first impression

[sweet124]

http://www.1aauto.com/1A/ConvertibleTop ... 30922/1971. Anyone ever try these guys.
From what I can tell it appears to be a Robbins top. Trying to decide (even though this is the euro vinyl, they sell both kinds) between them and Convertible top guys as they are local - somewhat

I have purchased the Sonnendeck cloth from them excellent quality I haven't installed it yet but from what I can see it is made very well.

[HersheyPAGreg]

I recently bought the Germanex vinyl top ($217.50) and I really like it. I had a local upholstery shop install it about 2 weeks ago. Thanks for the advice John (spidernut).

[TX82FIAT]

The European Canvas tops are better material. However, I used the Haartz canvas top. I paid about $350.00 for it. Perfect fit. As far as durability I can not say since it has only been on the car for three years. From the website the below description:

Haartz Stayfast Canvas: If you're looking to upgrade your vinyl top, consider a Fiat convertible top made of Haartz Stayfast Canvas. This fabric is the American substitute for the elegant German canvases used in Mercedes, Porsche, BMW. Haartz Stayfast Canvas is a three-ply composite material made of an acrylic square weave outer fabric, a butyl rubber core, and a cotton lining. The butyl rubber core promises to make Haartz Stayfast Canvas last a very long time. This canvas is a little richer looking than the vinyl. It's also a little harder to clean. Stayfast Canvas has both better static and dynamic wear ratings than any vinyl top.

[johndemar]

FWIW I put a Germanex canvas top on the car a couple of years ago and couldn't be happier with it. They were easy to work with and knowledgeable when talking on the phone. Top looks good and fits well. All I do is take a lint roller to it ( house filled with golden retrievers ) and it still looks like new.

[bradartigue]

You'll notice a couple of things in the pictures in this thread showing how different the tops can be. Many tops - especially the cheap ones, vinyl or canvas, are simply too small and skimp on the important stuff.

The OE tops were simply bigger, and the GAHH tops are about as spot on as I've used. The overlaps in the rear, over the body, are longer, the front "nose" of the top - that seam that many cars misplaced about 1/2" above where it should be - runs right along the front ridge of the top frame. The sides hang down slightly more over the side windows and the glass actually sits against the piece that hangs down inside. These are all things that are 1/4 - 1/2" of fabric in difference and make all the difference in the world.

Don't settle for a crappy top, but don't get scammed into a $550 top either. Most FIATs are not exposed to the elements or driven so brutally as they were when new, and you don't need space age fabrics to last a long time. You need good quality fabrics, good stitching (not gluing or heat "welding), and knowledge of or paying for a good installation.

I recently bought the Germanex vinyl top ($217.50) and I really like it. I had a local upholstery shop install it about 2 weeks ago. Thanks for the advice John (spidernut).

[vandor]

Brad,

I agree on the GAHH top, however a cloth GAHH top is $539. With not much margin to spare.
Quality costs money, but at least it's made in the USA.