Needing a new top

[BartusCompater]

I'm looking for a new black top for my 81'. The one on it now is ripped, patched up with various different sizes and shapes of material including duct tape, and the rear window in it is so bad that sometimes I can't even tell if there's a car behind me.

Do you guys recommend getting a custom top done at an upholstery place or are the IAP tops pretty decent as far as quality/price? Hard to install? Any advice is appreciated.

[So Cal Mark]

I'd use world upholstery at worlduph for a new top. It's a 4 hr job if you've done them before otherwise plan to spend the day installing it. I'd suggest you buy new side cables and get a tube of 3M weatherstip cement for the cross bows

[oaxacagold]

I just installed a fairly mediocre ebay top on my car, because it really needed one. I'd never installed a top before, and didn't have any instruction on exactly how to go about it, and it wasn't that difficult. I didn't do a great job, the front stitching of the top wasnt as close or as parallel to the top of the windshield as it should be, but it still looks pretty good. I plan on installing a better top next spring, but I found a cheap top looks perfectly fine, and apropriate to learn the installation process.

Of course, mark knows what he's talking about, and I'd follow his advice.

[mbouse]

i have purchased a couple of tops from a couple of different sources for a couple of different cars... no instructions. I've also assisted with other Fiat Spiders and their sources provided no instructions either.

Chris Obert has a great set of instructions in his book, and i have a copy of those instructions with additional pictures available to email to you. send me a p.m.

[RDSPYDR]

Can I get a copy of those instructions as well ? I plan on putting a new top on over the winter and could use the help.

Thanks

[ctrick]

I don't know where you live but there was black one on a 1979 spider at "Pick and Pull" in KC MO about a month ago in very good condtion. Good Luck Chris

[kristoj]

i have purchased a couple of tops from a couple of different sources for a couple of different cars... no instructions. I've also assisted with other Fiat Spiders and their sources provided no instructions either.

Chris Obert has a great set of instructions in his book, and i have a copy of those instructions with additional pictures available to email to you. send me a p.m.

Hey Mike,

E-mail me the instructions too if you don't mind. My car has a relatively new canvas top, but I need to partially remove it this winter for the repaint on my car.

Thanks.

[htchevyii]

instructions ore avail on his web site: http://www.fiatplus.com/members/tech200.htm