removable hardtop fitment

[MNspiderman]

So if a guy has a hardtop from 1969, would that fit onto a 77 and or a 85 Fiat spider? Im talking about the real pininfarina hartop, not the made in usa snugtop

[manoa matt]

Pretty sure the Pininfarina hard tops are universal, and will fit. I don't know about the very late spiders with the 40mm top hold down brackets. More information can be found here: http://www.kendickson.com/car/pinnin.html scroll to the bottom and click on the link that says "here" the diagram is also clickable to enlarge.

[mbouse]

it's my understanding that there is a fitment change for the clasps between the CS1 and the CS2. if your hardtop uses those clasps... there would again be a fitment problem.

additionally, don't those hardtops use the boot hooks? the hooks changed in '83 when Pinin took over.

[spiderrey]

I had one of those tops before. it dosent fit like the others. It seems to fit better with the factory folding top removed. Ive been eyeballing that one trying to figure how to get it to l a
also the clips made in the above post are incorrect. . the rear dosent hook on like that. there is a bracket that is bolted to the inside of the top and the hook the holds the boot on is removed from the car and the top is bolted into the existing holes. i still have those brackets.

[mdrburchette]

One good thing about the aftermarket Smoothline I have is it fits right over the soft top and uses those back hooks to secure it. The thing I don't like about it is the Mickey Mouse way you have to secure it to the w/shield and back hooks.

[spiderrey]

Is anyone going from so cal to ffo, maybe they can bring the top back for me. sure looks good on my car.

[manoa matt]

Yes, the brackets shown on the first page of the link are incorrect, Ken made those because the originals are NLA, and that is a modified way of securing the top with the existing boot hooks.

If you would proceed to the next page: "scroll to the bottom and click on the link that says "here" the diagram is also clickable to enlarge." Then you will see the correct and original brackets at the rear trunk.

There is also a third hold down bracket with a turnbuckle that attaches to the folded down convertible top frame, at each side. If you remove the top frame, then you elimenate this mounting point and thereby relying only on the front clasps and the rear boot hooks. If you've ever driven down the highway at 50+mph with the windows open, then you know there is a considerable amout of pressure wanting to pull the soft top up off the bows. If you don't have the original rear brackets you need the turnbuckle clasps on each side, since the front clasps are the only thing keeping the top from sliding back.

Most of the tops were made during the CS1 era, so they are "designed" to fit the CS1 windshield frame, however I've switched around glass and frames from CS1 and CS2 several times with no issues, I don't think there is a "discernable" difference between them. But yes, 83 and later cars (with the 40mm hold top hold down brackets), the Pininfarina top will not fit.

I picked up a Pininfarina top this last year when I was home for Christmas. The Seller had it installed on a 1982 CS2 car. Original, perfect vinyl, excellent glass, and all rubber seals. Paid $220 along with a bunch of other parts that I already sold, so the top was basically free.

[spiderrey]

Yes, I know about all the attachment points and hook ups. If you leave the bracket that the top pivots on, the side hooks engage that perfectly and lock down solid. I drove mine around for a while with just the side and front hooks, wasnt 100 percent happy with the way it creeked. im sure being bolted down at the rear makes a huge difference.