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Surrey Top Question

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Frankly, the most complicated part of the process is figuring out what to do with the money you'll make selling the hardtop/"surrey" bits to someone who really wants it. Seriously, it all pretty much unbolts, and it shouldn't be too difficult to find the soft top frame, possibly header rail finisher piece and other bits to revert to a folding top.

Forgive my asking, but why would you want to do this? Many TR4/4A, etc. owners would be willing to give up first-born children for this option! :wink:
 
I'd say on a TR4 is a slightly more involved process but is certainly doable - the hood frame bolts in, then the trim that hides the hood frame is lightly glued to the body and finished off with aluminum capping pieces which are screwed on. On a 4A or TR250, I don't think you'd have the hassle of fitting that trim in place.
 
On a surrey, the furflex piece is one long continuous piece that goes from floor to floor. You can probably cut it into 3 pieces if you're going to r&r the top.

On the subject, I have collected all of the hardware bits, trim, windshield capping, weatherstrip, top frame & soft top, etc over the years to completely rebuild a surrey (even a new plexi back glass)... everything except the backlight frame. I have a fiberglass backlight frame and hardtop but hope to find a bare aluminum frame sometime. Either that or I am going to sell all as a kit on ebay and use the $$ for a paint job!
 
Hi Andrew, thanks for your response. I know the surrey top is difficult to find, but my preference is for just a plain conventional convertible top. I'm looking at a car that has a surrey and wouldn't buy it if it wasn't removable.
I'm certain this may just be my preference, but I don't like the look of the surrey top.
thanks for you help!
Joe
 
PeterK said:
On the subject, I have collected all of the hardware bits, trim, windshield capping, weatherstrip, top frame & soft top, etc over the years to completely rebuild a surrey (even a new plexi back glass)... everything except the backlight frame. I have a fiberglass backlight frame and hardtop but hope to find a bare aluminum frame sometime. Either that or I am going to sell all as a kit on ebay and use the $$ for a paint job!
Click to expand...

Peter,

Someone just posted a picture of a TR4 for sale with a backlight frame that appeared to be missing the glass but I can't seem to find the post now. I think it was in CA though so you'd need to get Tom to buy it for you. :smile:

Where did you get a new plexiglass window and you've confirmed it will fit the original backlight frame?

Scott

P.S. Found it!

TR4 on Craigslist
 
Thanks Scott but transport SF to Maine would be cost prohibitive.

I picked up the new plexi window from VickyBrit a few years ago. It's made to fit original tops and also fits my fiberglass back light. Paid $300 + ship.

Jury is still out on how to get my rollbar installed as it is higher than the surrey. So I am not sure if I scrap the surrey idea (which I don't want to as I like the look).
 
Sounds like we have similar thoughts on cars - I've had an original surrey in pieces now for about 4 years. I really like the rally look with rollbar and seats with headrests, etc. Have the seats in hand, but I couldn't find the perfect rollbar which I've thought was made by a company called Safety Devices in the UK but they stopped doing them. So it just sits there and I enjoy the convertible. Either way its fun though.
 
VickyBrit does have a roll bar that will fit nicely below the back light as I am currently installing surrey w/ glass
the roll bar will balance out the openness of the rear window frame
i will post pics as soon as I have the frame and top back from paint
 
My rollbar mounts to the floor behind the seats and the braces mount on the shelf area. I plan to make some mounting braces to tie it into the frame at the rear and add front support bars from the legs forward to the font body mounts.

But this rollbar is a tad too high for the back light frame. I can always cut a couple inches off the bar and reweld the mounting plates if I need to. I would think much shorter and it would be too low for safety.

My seats are Corbeau Classics with headrests.
 
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