Convertible top - rear anchor insert?

[Llamasayswhat]

Just did the top on my spider this weekend and didn't realize until I was throwing away my old top that the old top rear bow had a plastic insert to help it stay under the rear convertible anchor point and maintain tension evenly across the rear mount/anchor

I'm about 95% sure that my old spider(this is my second one, and third top install) did NOT have this insert in the top, and I don't see mention of it in any of the write ups I had read to get ready for doing the job. I did notice that my new top(from GAHH) had a provision for this to piece to slide into, but assumed the gap /slice in that fabric was to mark center.

Am I losing my marbles? Are these usually tossed by people missing them like I almost did?

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Am I losing my marbles? Are these usually tossed by people missing them like I almost did?

Nope, no marbles need be lost here. Yes, this "hockey stick" shaped plastic insert helps the rear clamp hold the rear of the top securely against the body. I'm guessing many people just toss them, but the results are much better if they are inserted into that channel in the rear of the top. Might be more important for the cloth tops than for the vinyl tops, but that's just a guess.

I don't see these plastic inserts sold separately, but it'd be great if they were.

-Bryan

[geospider]

When I did my top a few years ago, this was "part" of the top.. Guessing your may have been as well. If not you would probably have noticed that part being a bit flimsy..

geo