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Jedi Trainee
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I hope to get my TR6 ready for the road soon and I am going to need a new top. I cannot decide between the vinyl and the canvas type. It would seem to me that the canvas would be quieter with the top up and the windows open.

What about durability?

Thanks, Pete
 
The only cloth top I've had was on a 58 Mercedes 190sl and it was quieter than most (all) LBC cars but then again the top was really 'designed' and as tight as a drum (lined too) so.....I'd guess that it would still carry less noise than a plastic.
They are very durable and there are products made just for the cloth 'Raggtopp'
makes great vinyl and cloth products.
 
This is a hot topic anytime it's posted. I've had 2 canvas ones on TR7s and a canvas one on my J-H. Had planned on getting vinyl for the J-H, but the canvas one came up at an excellent price. If there's a next time I will go for the vinyl unless I can get canvas for the same price. Canvas will out last vinyl, but not enough to justify the cost IMHO. Canvas may look better up close, provided the install is a good one. A poor install looks worse in canvas, again in my opinion. Brand choice seems to run the gambit. Some will tell you to stick with Robbins and avoid the discount outfits. I have had both and don't think there's a dimes worth of difference in quality or fit, just in price. I installed the Robbins top on the J-H myself and it looks no better or worse than the E-Z tops I had professionally installed on the TR7s. The most fun I had was looking at the material samples I sent for and picturing them on the car. Good Luck and keep it fun.
 
Pete
I replaced with a sun fast robbins top about three years ago and I like it. It's quieter and doesn't seem to transmit temperture extremes as bad. Are they worth the money difference? Depends where you live and how much you use it.
 

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I have had both Robbins tops on my TR6 and much prefer the Sunfast. Plus, it is tougher than regular vinyl.
 
I have a Vinyl top, but when I replace mine I'm Def. going with a canvas top for the looks!!!!

To me its just a classier look!

I dont drive too much with my soft top except when its raining, or at a show.


or I use my hardtop...
 
Don't forget to get a zip-out rear window while you're at it. Really nice to have! We had a top for the 3A custom made with a zip out - it took nearly 1 year to get it though.
 
peter, i am susprised you like zip out window. the best advantage of a top is not having the wind blowing behind you. keep goin fast and you don't get wet otherwise. having had several soft tops in a climate that they gotta be up a lot i would suggest light color inside, most are black. makes a BIG difference in feel inside and thats where yer sittin. and a zipper is just one more thing to break.
 
Generally, I love to drive open-top cars wherever and whenever possible. But when you're on the second or third day of, say, a 2,000 mile summertime run from NY to TX, and the sun has been beating down incessantly, it's nice to have the top up AND wind coming in from the sides and back! (Been there, done that, have the t-shirt, etc.!)
 
Andrew Mace said:
Generally, I love to drive open-top cars wherever and whenever possible. But when you're on the second or third day of, say, a 2,000 mile summertime run from NY to TX, and the sun has been beating down incessantly, it's nice to have the top up AND wind coming in from the sides and back! (Been there, done that, have the t-shirt, etc.!)
Click to expand...

Not only the t-shirt, but also the broiled head! :eeek:
 
In the 60's when we thought these cars would always be available, I drove my TR4 all year as my daily driver. In the winter I folded a wool army blanket, yes it was OD in color, and put it over the top frame when I put the top up. Made it nice and comfy both temp and sound wise.
 
sail said:
peter, i am susprised you like zip out window. the best advantage of a top is not having the wind blowing behind you. keep goin fast and you don't get wet otherwise. having had several soft tops in a climate that they gotta be up a lot i would suggest light color inside, most are black. makes a BIG difference in feel inside and thats where yer sittin. and a zipper is just one more thing to break.
Click to expand...

It keeps the sun off and still feels like the top is off. We're both red/blonde haired with light skin so sun protection is a must. We don't drive in the rain if at all possible but mostly don't use any top at all unless on a trip.
 
I even have a top with the rear windows cut out, just for hot weather. Makes driving in the desert sun much more pleasant. And was cheaper than a custom zipper window, since I started with a used top that had clouded.
 
Another vote for the rear zipper window...use the top in the summer as a shade basically and the flow thru and openess of the zip out is great.
No top on the car now as the weather is great and the temp just right, just the windscreen...that comes off in a month or so and then just Brooklands.
 
ok ok i give. if you got a zipper zip it before you get the top tight. then shut.
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Well, SOME of us have hair up there.[/QUOTE]

I, for one, DO NOT resemble that remark.........
 
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