Wedge TR7 replacement tops

[Got_All_4]

I was just on the wedge shop site and they said they were having some issues with the E-Z On tops. Does anyone know what's going on?

I looked at a 7 last week to buy and it definitely needs a new top and was looking at pricing and E-Z one had the best price. But I do want a proper fitting top too.

 

[tr8todd]

Three things come instantly to mind here. One is isn't it funny how vendors find faults in products they don't sell and think the one's they do sell are the best thing since sliced bread. Two, The wedge tops are in general so much better fitting than any other LBC top, that even if you have a poorly fitting one, it will far exceed the weather protection afforded by an MGB or similar top. Three, if your planning on keeping the car, spend the money and buy a Robbins top. They really are worth the extra money in my opinion. The canvas ones are beautiful. If you aren't sure about keeping the car, just buy an ebay special. You will get several years out of it. They are not too difficult to install. Be careful not to oversize the holes in the header rail when you drill out the rivets. It the top doesn't come with a new header rail vinyl piece, go to a fabric store and buy some. Use good automotive glue like 3M, not some cheap general purpose spray glue. The frame mounts with adjustable bolt holes in the sides. Make sure they are in the middle of the adjustment range when you are installing the top. If the top ends up too tight or too loose, you can move the frame up or down to compensate. Good luck.

 

[WedgeWorks]

I just put on a canvas robbins top on a TR8 and it was the best and easiest to do so far. The one advantage the higher price tops have is the thread and stitching is superior. The cheaper canvas tops for some reason the stitching around the rear window comes apart and also the zippers brake. I also noticed that on the cheaper canvas tops the side windows are smaller compared to the orginal and higher priced canvas. Everything Todd pointed out is right on the money and between the two of us we have done about 100 tops in the last 20 years.

(On the left is the Robbins top and the right is a Prestige with the smaller side windows)

 

[rlich8]

EZ On tops are really really stiff material. They apparently bought the tooling from AMCO when they closed in 1985 but who really knows.

See if you can find a NOS AMCO top, they really were the best. Other than that I can't offer much advice but be patient because the EZ On tops are really hard to work with.

You may want to try calling around the various suppliers and see what they're reccomending.

 

[tr8todd]

C'mon Mike. 100, that's stretchin it a bit. 50 yea easy, unless were counting coupe hard tops that were cut off and then welded back on after the roll cage was installed. I'm sure you have a picture of of that procedure you can post somewhere in your vast archive of wedge photos. Welding the roof back on is easier than installing a soft top, wouldn't you agree.

 

[GBRandy]

EZ-ON tops are just fine. At least they were.

I have installed far fewer than 100 tops more like 10 over the years. I put a blue canvas EZ-ON top on my TR8 six / seven years ago. It fits and looks like new today.

The blue canvas boot cover I bought from Woody is about 1/2 inch too small all they around....THAT is a problem. Ez-On is quoting me a proper sized replacement.

 

[WedgeWorks]

Todd....."stretching it" I like that. I know from the working at the Wedge Shop, Pristine, Classic Roadsters & Scott's Classics plus the others on the side there have been a ton of tops I had to install mostly on TR7s & 8s but other British cars. Im still about 1 to 2 a year for TR8s.

 

[Got_All_4]

Wow thanks for all that info. I'm looking at a 1980 that has changed hand a couple of times. The body is very solid and there is a few new parts on the car. Needs a new top. door handles locks cylinders are missing. Trunk lock is messed up. Couldn't get it to start because the battery was dead. Poor Inca yellow paint job. Car was originally green. Of course it needs seats and interior. The Fan ,AC, heater knobs on the dash controls are missing. I'd like a car with less work but every one around here just wants too much.

 

[tr8todd]

When you do end up finding one, give me a shout. I have a basement, attic, and big garage full of wedge parts. I can help you out with a grab bag of fidely stuff. I just ordered a set of new seat covers from Rimmer Bros in England. I was surprised how much cheaper they were there compared to stateside. I picked up seat kits, door window scrapers and a TR8 emblem kit shipped to my door for less than $450. It is going to be my father's day gift. VB wanted $559 for just the seat kits if I remember correctly. If you decide to look outside your area for a wedge, I might be able to help you out there too. I picked up a nice 79/80 Maroon convertible TR7 a couple of years ago from an estate sale. It sat since 97 or so. I started to go thru it, but it got pushed to the back of the garage and other projects jumped in front of it. Only needs a little bit of work to make road worthy, but it is a solid very pretty car. I'll take a picture of it and post it later. The main reason I pushed it to the back was that I started thinking about loosing the TR7 driveline and slipping in a V8.

 

[Got_All_4]

I'll look for the picture.