Pininfarina Hardtop - Need help

[dparnas]

Finally getting around to trying to finish my Pininfarina Hardtop, but it would be awfully helpful to see some pictures of a nicely finished one, particularly close-ups of all the rubber seals around the window and the rear to get a feel for how they all should attach. Also, going to need to manufacture something for the side latches as the ones on mine are missing, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Europa]

Can you post a picture of yours? I have a hard top that came with my '83. It is not Pininfarina factory, rather an after-market one.

[dparnas]

Just joined the board. Could use some help on how to post pictures here. Is there a way to load them here, or do they need to be hosted on a public site elsewhere?

[Nick]

Just joined the board. Could use some help on how to post pictures here. Is there a way to load them here, or do they need to be hosted on a public site elsewhere?

You'll have to host them elsewhere and then link them here through [img] tags. If you don't understand what I mean I can elaborate further. (sounds like you know something about computers, it's not obvious to everyone though.)

[zachmac]

see this link http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=686

[bakercs]

dparnas,

Here are two links that should be of some help to you finishing your top.
The first shows how all of the bits and pieces are supposed to fit.

http://www.globallistics.com/spidersweb ... kapgb.html

This link is to an article on how to restore the tops.

http://kendickson.com/car/pinnin.html

One question for you. What are you using for the rear deck latches?

Hope this helps.

[dparnas]

That diagram of the hardtop is awesome, thanks so much. That will be helpful on the hardware side. To be honest with you, I wasn't even aware that there were rear latches on the hardtop and from reading the other website, sounds like they often were never installed. I think with the front latches and the side latches, rear latches are not needed, but then that is just my opinion. My challenge is still where to apply the rear rubber seal. Here is a picture of a suggested application, but not sure if it is correct. What do you guys think? Does it make sense that it would go on the outer edge?




Here's a picture of my hardtop in the corner of my garage. It's got new vinyl on the outside, new headliner on the inside, new seals around the rear window and I've got a box of new seals from FiatPlus to go around the front, sides and rear, but just need to figure out how everything goes on the top and then figure something out for the side latches.

[spiderrey]

I had one of those tops, there was no seal showing when the top was on the car.

[RJ80]

I have the same seal and it is (was) fitted around the bottom of the top like you show. The seal needs to be reglued on my top. I haven't gotten around to it as the car never sees rain anyway.

[dparnas]

Would love to see some pictures, anyone? Pictures of the side latches and how the seals are on the rear and sides would be great. Just removed the front latches to clean up today. I thought one was pretty rusty and the other ok. Turns out the one that looked ok was even rustier than the other, but lots of grinding and sanding and they are both shiny again and ready for some paint.

[bakercs]

dparnas,

The first picture is of the seal that wraps around the base of the window. The seal is 1 inch across the base, 1/2 inch high, with a radius corner. The bottom is flat, though that is not apparent in the picture. I have seen the seals on two tops and they were both the same, but these looks different from what you have.


This shows the seal in place. The curved portion of the seal in pointing up into the top. The picture has the top upside down for reference.


As the seal wraps around the sides, it rises up, out of the trough and ties in by the latch.


My top did not come with the latches that connect it to the car. The PO told me that when he bought the top about 6 years ago he bent these bolts to make the connection. Never came off either. Would be truly spectacular if it did, sort of like the ejection sequence in "Top Gun" and we all remember what happened to Goose. Thats why I am going to also make up a pair of deck straps.

[Mick124]

I was hoping someone might be able to tell me where I can buy a replacement rear window and side chrome mouldings for my Pininfarina Hard top restoration?

Regards,

Michael

[RJ80]

Custom made from Lexan is the only way I know of. Talk to a local shop.

Other solution is to find another top with good glass and the trim and use it for parts. Sometimes they show up in horrible shape on eBay.

There is a complete top on eBay right now, FYI. Can't recall quite where it is... Midwest somewhere I think.