Hey - did you know if you click on the title of a thread it will take you to the first unread post since you last visited that thread?
but were afraid to ask: 
STOP!! Never post your email address in open forums. Bots can "harvest" your email! If you must share your email use a Private Message or use the 
smilie in place of the real @
Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
I've got a fiberglass hardtop and a steel hardtop. There does not appear to be any markings on either one. How can I tell which, if either was original. I want to restore one with the car but would rather have an original.I don't have pictures as they are both out of state but the fiberglass one has holes through the sides with chrome caps likely for moumting. Thanks.
-
Hi Guest!
If you appreciate British Car Forum and our 25 years of supporting British car enthusiasts with technical and anicdotal information, collected from our thousands of great members, please support us with a low-cost subscription. You can become a supporting member for less than the dues of most car clubs.
There are some perks with a member upgrade!**Upgrade Now**
(PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
TR2/3/3A TR3 Hardtop OEM or Aftermarket
- Thread starter rusty55
- Start date
Share this page
TEXAS_TR3A
Member
Offline
I have a steel factory hardtop that came with my 1960 TR3A. It was a one owner car when we bought it, and the hardtop was listed on the original paperwork that came with the car, so I'm confident in saying steel was a factory offering. Hope this helps.
Offline
According to Piggott's book, <span style="font-style: italic"> Original TR2/3/3A </span> ,
" <span style="font-weight: bold"> Hard Top Kit </span>
Part number 900771, supplied in primer. This was originally introduced in October 1954, made in polyester resin - later the same style of hard-top was manufactured in steel... The steel hard-top is by far the most common... Both types usually had Perspex rear windows, but some glass ones exist."
One way to tell a factory top from aftermarket is that the factory tops had a bit of a wrap-around rear window; aftermarket tops typically were flat. Mounting of the factory tops was from the inside; no exposed bolts, etc.
" <span style="font-weight: bold"> Hard Top Kit </span>
Part number 900771, supplied in primer. This was originally introduced in October 1954, made in polyester resin - later the same style of hard-top was manufactured in steel... The steel hard-top is by far the most common... Both types usually had Perspex rear windows, but some glass ones exist."
One way to tell a factory top from aftermarket is that the factory tops had a bit of a wrap-around rear window; aftermarket tops typically were flat. Mounting of the factory tops was from the inside; no exposed bolts, etc.
I have just finished restoring a steel factory hardtop for my hot rod TR-3. My friend Mallard here on the forum gave me the hardtop about a year ago and I promised him that I would restore and use it on my car. The back glasses are almost impossible to obtain as well as all the brackets to attach it with. That is why you will find alot of hardtops laying around and not on the cars. The brackets can be made but the rear plastic window is hard to find. I also have a factory fiberglass hardtop and it looks identical to the steel hardtop. If you find a fiberglass hardtop you need to look at the windshield mounting (it should be a formed piece of metal with 3 mounting holes and runs across the entire front of the windshield). The rear moulded area below the rear windshield should have 5 slits for mounting the 5 angle brackets. If it appears that the top is held on by J hooks or parts from your local hardware store, it more than likly not factory Triumph. I spent almost $1,000. restoring the free hardtop but it changes the appearence of the car. Thanks again Mallard and good luck on restoring a hardtop. Bill C. Mesa, Az.
Offline
At one time not too long ago, The Roadster Factory reproduced most or all of the mounting hardware. I don't know if they still have it. Meanwhile, though, rear windows are being reproduced by an acquaintance of mine in Oklahoma. I have no financial interest in this project, although I did lend him an original for a pattern. If anyone is interested, see Randall's reply below.
TR3driver
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
Offline
Oddly enough, Sam Clark just posted on the Team.Net list that he has made a run of backlights for the factory hardtop. $250 plus shipping ... I'm trying to decide whether to buy one or not.alfa33047 said:
If you are interested, write Sam at TRDOCTOR at aol dot com.
The hardtop is an interesting option, but I really don't like driving the car with it installed. It hasn't been out of the garage rafters in nearly 20 years ...
Offline
And that's the acquaintance I'd mentioned above...so no need to PM me for the information! :wink:TR3driver said:
Offline
No thunder stolen; no apology necessary!
Got_All_4
Luke Skywalker
Offline
I had a customer give me one a few years ago. i never did anything with it. It also is in the rafters of my garage. Needs a lot of TLC. It is fiber glass and always thought it was an after market design. It has 2 knobs one on each side that are aluminium. Thought that was odd and wondered what they could have been used for. Also the back window " back light" is much smaller then the one pictured.
The hardtop in the picture looks like it was covered in vinyl. All the tops I've seen were painted. The car in the picture is being restored or do you have other plans for it? The reason I ask is that I'm looking for a bonnet from a car like yours. Let me know what your plans are. Thanks Keith