Hard Top - Restore or Fibre Glass?

[Triumph_TR4_Girl]

Just taken delivery of 1963 TR4 and the Hard Top is full of rust. Its repairable but will probably take a lot of patience, which my partner may not have after restoring the rest of my car for me .


I have been recommend to fill the hardtop and take a fibre-glass mould and make one in GRP as it would be quieter and cooler in the summer!


Any feedback, recommendation on suppliers for this part is most appreciated?

 

[HerronScott]

Hi,

It's hard to tell from the picture but is that is a Surrey top with a steel removable center section and aluminum back frame? If so I would definitely restore the steel center section if possible due to the relative rarity of Surrey tops. I'm not familiar with any aftermarket steel hardtops. All the ones that I've seen have been fiberglass.

One with a steel removable section went for $1800 in the UK recently (not counting shipping) and one with the earlier aluminum removable section went for $3380 in the UK (also not counting shipping).

Scott

 

[TR4nut]

Yes, I would try to convince your partner to restore it if possible, it is scarce and it will retain good value. If it can't be saved easily, I suggest just buying one of substitutes from Revingtons etc. If you don't have the surrey soft top section yet, that would be a very good addition too.

 

[Andrew Mace]

+2 on restoration; it WILL be worth the effort!

 

[Triumph_TR4_Girl]

Wow, quite amazed just how much this section of the car is worth, restoring it is a MUST then. Thanks for your advice.