Convertible top (dumb question)

General chat about the car goes in here.
fiat218
Posts: 5745
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 pm
Your car is a: 1969 124 AS spider

Re: Convertible top (dumb question)

Post by fiat218 »

:mrgreen: I am not seen a argument
Jim
East Grand Forks MN
1970 Fiat Spider BS1 ( FOR SALE
1969 124 AS Spider
2017 Abrath
2018 Alfa Romeo 4c Spider
SoFlaFiat

Re: Convertible top (dumb question)

Post by SoFlaFiat »

Wow! Don't I wish I had purchased my 1977 when it was new so I could have known about this!! I honestly had no idea that these straps even existed until this post!! Unfortunately, I was not in the market for a new spider at the age of 12...
fiat218
Posts: 5745
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 pm
Your car is a: 1969 124 AS spider

Re: Convertible top (dumb question)

Post by fiat218 »

SoFlaFiat wrote:Wow! Don't I wish I had purchased my 1977 when it was new so I could have known about this!! I honestly had no idea that these straps even existed until this post!! Unfortunately, I was not in the market for a new spider at the age of 12...
You can buy them
Jim
East Grand Forks MN
1970 Fiat Spider BS1 ( FOR SALE
1969 124 AS Spider
2017 Abrath
2018 Alfa Romeo 4c Spider
FiatJB

Re: Convertible top (dumb question)

Post by FiatJB »

Not a dumb question at all
There is no need for the straps or the boot. I would venture to say a majority of the Fiats that are on the road today don't even have the straps. They tended to get brittle and rot or break. Not cheap to replace either. The boot although it really finishes the look of the car with the top down, has no other function than to make the car look more stream lined and finished. It does make the car look nicer with it on. Ok purists will say it cuts down on wind resistance and maybe less noise but really... it's aesthetics.
User avatar
bradartigue
Posts: 2183
Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:35 pm
Your car is a: 1970 Sport Spider
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Convertible top (dumb question)

Post by bradartigue »

FiatJB wrote:Not a dumb question at all
There is no need for the straps or the boot. I would venture to say a majority of the Fiats that are on the road today don't even have the straps. They tended to get brittle and rot or break. Not cheap to replace either. The boot although it really finishes the look of the car with the top down, has no other function than to make the car look more stream lined and finished. It does make the car look nicer with it on. Ok purists will say it cuts down on wind resistance and maybe less noise but really... it's aesthetics.
No need for the hood either. Purists say it keeps engine temperatures down by recirculating airflow or it improves aerodynamics, and some morons think it makes the car look better, but you really don't need the hood.
fiat218
Posts: 5745
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 pm
Your car is a: 1969 124 AS spider

Re: Convertible top (dumb question)

Post by fiat218 »

bradartigue wrote:
FiatJB wrote:Not a dumb question at all
There is no need for the straps or the boot. I would venture to say a majority of the Fiats that are on the road today don't even have the straps. They tended to get brittle and rot or break. Not cheap to replace either. The boot although it really finishes the look of the car with the top down, has no other function than to make the car look more stream lined and finished. It does make the car look nicer with it on. Ok purists will say it cuts down on wind resistance and maybe less noise but really... it's aesthetics.
No need for the hood either. Purists say it keeps engine temperatures down by recirculating airflow or it improves aerodynamics, and some morons think it makes the car look better, but you really don't need the hood.
Your attitude sucks on this topic, maybe you should take a break, you are making your self look like an ass
Jim
East Grand Forks MN
1970 Fiat Spider BS1 ( FOR SALE
1969 124 AS Spider
2017 Abrath
2018 Alfa Romeo 4c Spider
User avatar
RRoller123
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: Convertible top (dumb question)

Post by RRoller123 »

Who sells the straps? It would be authentic to have them installed along the rear side panels as Brad posted in the owner's manual photo. I don't use them, but I would have a set installed for those damned judges at Tutto. :mrgreen:
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
User avatar
4uall
Posts: 4145
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:09 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Fiat Pininfarina Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: Convertible top (dumb question)

Post by 4uall »

Jay

Fiona
1980 FI 2000 Spider
ITZEBTZE

https://goo.gl/photos/eNKaX7hrXhBu9fmp6

FINN (FN-2187)
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport
MYTHERPY
User avatar
RRoller123
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: Convertible top (dumb question)

Post by RRoller123 »

I should have known, but too rich for me. I will take the loss in points. :roll:
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
fiat218
Posts: 5745
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 pm
Your car is a: 1969 124 AS spider

Re: Convertible top (dumb question)

Post by fiat218 »

RRoller123 wrote:I should have known, but too rich for me. I will take the loss in points. :roll:
Why would you lose points on that,
Jim
East Grand Forks MN
1970 Fiat Spider BS1 ( FOR SALE
1969 124 AS Spider
2017 Abrath
2018 Alfa Romeo 4c Spider
User avatar
bradartigue
Posts: 2183
Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:35 pm
Your car is a: 1970 Sport Spider
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Convertible top (dumb question)

Post by bradartigue »

fiat218 wrote:
bradartigue wrote:
FiatJB wrote:Not a dumb question at all
There is no need for the straps or the boot. I would venture to say a majority of the Fiats that are on the road today don't even have the straps. They tended to get brittle and rot or break. Not cheap to replace either. The boot although it really finishes the look of the car with the top down, has no other function than to make the car look more stream lined and finished. It does make the car look nicer with it on. Ok purists will say it cuts down on wind resistance and maybe less noise but really... it's aesthetics.
No need for the hood either. Purists say it keeps engine temperatures down by recirculating airflow or it improves aerodynamics, and some morons think it makes the car look better, but you really don't need the hood.
Your attitude sucks on this topic, maybe you should take a break, you are making your self look like an ass
Oh what a shock, Jim makes a post personal. Isn't there an Alfa Romeo forum you can join? Those guys on alfabb.com are always jumping all over each other.

For the rest of you....it's sarcasm. I think that's pretty clear and I would be pretty upset if I thought someone was actually offended or took offense. My last comment on this: if you have a mindset that the original parts and their use are good things to have then you typically end up with a more satisfying experience. There's no way I'm the only person here who thinks the gadgets and gizmos were pretty neat, things like the straps, the toolkits, etc. It creates a personality to the car. Without all the accessories and styling you have...a Miata. Boring.
fiat218
Posts: 5745
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 pm
Your car is a: 1969 124 AS spider

Re: Convertible top (dumb question)

Post by fiat218 »

I agree with brad , and I would be upset if some one took me serious :lol:
I am just the fiat forum smart ass
Btw brad, I have all the accessories for the fiat
Jim
East Grand Forks MN
1970 Fiat Spider BS1 ( FOR SALE
1969 124 AS Spider
2017 Abrath
2018 Alfa Romeo 4c Spider
User avatar
spiderdan
Patron 2018
Patron 2018
Posts: 831
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:30 am
Your car is a: 1968 124 Sport Spider
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: Convertible top (dumb question)

Post by spiderdan »

Speaking for most of us, I'm glad Brad and Jim are here.
You guys have me ROTFLMAO. :mrgreen:
Tx
Dan
1968 124 Sport Spider
"Angelina"
2015 Toyota Camry XSE (hers)
2016 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited (cottage toy)
http://s1342.photobucket.com/user/68spi ... t%20Spider
http://www.youtube.com/user/Coontache/videos
fiat218
Posts: 5745
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 pm
Your car is a: 1969 124 AS spider

Re: Convertible top (dumb question)

Post by fiat218 »

spiderdan wrote:Speaking for most of us, I'm glad Brad and Jim are here.
You guys have me ROTFLMAO. :mrgreen:
Tx
Hey now :mrgreen:
Jim
East Grand Forks MN
1970 Fiat Spider BS1 ( FOR SALE
1969 124 AS Spider
2017 Abrath
2018 Alfa Romeo 4c Spider
dmwhiteoak
Posts: 1088
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2011 1:12 pm
Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 spider
Location: White Oak Tx

Re: Convertible top (dumb question)

Post by dmwhiteoak »

I personally have both straps to hold my top down and use them. I find it keeps the top held down tight with no raddles. I think they are a must while using the top boot because it pulls the top down tight. Just my 2 cents.
Dennis Modisette

1972 124 Spider
2003 Chevrolet Z71
2007 GMC Yucon
Post Reply