Time to order a top, and could use some feedback from actual owners of canvas.
Looking for ease of use, and a quality look.
More money, but before I make the purchase want to learn more.

Are there vinyl brands that owners actually prefer,and do not see the benefits over canvas?
Any downside to canvas, that makes vinyl the better choice, beyond personal preference?

thanks

The fact that you shouldn't fold the canvas up when wet was a big issue for me, and the cost. I went with vinyl.

i have vinyl its all i could afford
bouth look great new

over time vinyl cracks brakes and wears

the canvis looks great and lasts alot longer
if i had the money i would have got canvis with a liner

My friend has canvas on his MGB. It looks super nice, high quality. I dont mind vinyl though, looks "stock" and I dont drive top up much anyhow so Id have a hard time spending the extra $$.

if you go with vinyl, 303 products make a vinyl cleaning and conditioning/UV protecting line of stuff for all things vinyl (hot tub tops, Spider tops, etc.). Worth looking into, as anything that helps avoid the cracks from age will narrow the quality gap between the canvas and the vinyl.

i like the canvas. i think it looks much better and lasts longer. I've had both types.

FiatFever wrote:Time to order a top, and could use some feedback from actual owners of canvas.
Looking for ease of use, and a quality look.
More money, but before I make the purchase want to learn more.

Are there vinyl brands that owners actually prefer,and do not see the benefits over canvas?
Any downside to canvas, that makes vinyl the better choice, beyond personal preference?

thanks

I'd love to go with the canvas but I'm afraid of bird crap and other stuff getting ingrained in the cloth. I'll most likely go with the vinyl. I understand Robbins tops are OEM and come highly recommended.

Does anyone know anything about AutoBerry(dot)com products? They reference a Hartz vinyl and two other cloth tops.

indiansfan wrote:Does anyone know anything about AutoBerry(dot)com products? They reference a Hartz vinyl and two other cloth tops.

Haven't ordered from them yet, but they are on my short list for tops. They've been responsive to my questions, prices seem good, too.

AMCO was the oem top for fiat.

BEEK wrote:AMCO was the oem top for fiat.

I understand Robbins was another OEM, as well.

124JOE wrote:i have vinyl its all i could afford
bouth look great new

over time vinyl cracks brakes and wears

the canvis looks great and lasts alot longer
if i had the money i would have got canvis with a liner

A canvas top would require a liner?
Is the liner for cosmetics?
That would allow a pattern , like a print to give a finished look.

I like the idea of the vinyl top for the fact that the window gets scratched and cracked over time and the cost of a vinyl top makes you feel happy because you can afford to replace the top every 3-4 years and will always have a clear window

SanRafaelFaz wrote:

BEEK wrote:AMCO was the oem top for fiat.

I understand Robbins was another OEM, as well.

showing my age abit, but i have installed at least 500 tops on fiats, over 200 when i worked at dealerships. amco was the only oem top in fiat boxes from 1982 on that i ever installed , sold or saw. robbins tops of that vintage had a different plastic in the rear hold down area and did not have the felt like window sashes. they were the same material as the top. im not trying to start an argument. just stating my observations from 25+ years of working on and selling fiat parts.

my 77 spider has a amco top installed in 2001, the rear window is still clear, and the car is parked outside every day,, no garrage space. i have a secret tht keeps the windows clear. it should be common knowledge...

floor wax?