Restoring a "Snugtop" hard top

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MrWampus
Posts: 207
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:55 am
Your car is a: 1981 Spider
Location: Charlotte, NC

Restoring a "Snugtop" hard top

Post by MrWampus »

I just bought an old Snugtop by Custom Hardtops of Long Beach, CA. It needs a full restoration: new vinyl on the outside, all rubber, some minor patching, refreshing the gel coat on the inside, etc. I bought it inexpensively knowing that I'll need to put a few hundred $ into it but I like the square shape rather than the "German helmet" shape of the PininFarina top. All the glass is intact.

Has anyone had any experience with this top? I bought it sight unseen but was willing to take the chance for cheap ($25). If it winds up being a complete dud I haven't lost much. Wondering how well this brand fits and any pitfalls to try to avoid (besides buying a top I haven't seen off eBay for $25!) hopefully it will be a fun little resto project and will extend my driving season a bit.
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1981 Spider "The Mistress"
http://s1088.photobucket.com/albums/i329/mrwampus1/
"Because a 30-year-old sports car is cheaper than a 30-year-old blonde."
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MrJD
Posts: 551
Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 1:23 pm
Your car is a: Looking to ask questions about a 79 2.0
Location: Laurinburg NC

Re: Restoring a "Snugtop" hard top

Post by MrJD »

Man... So many spider guys in charlotte! You have images of this thing?
wizard124
Posts: 752
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:27 pm
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider FI
Location: Sheridan, WY exSan Rafael, CA

Re: Restoring a "Snugtop" hard top

Post by wizard124 »

Go here: http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 30&t=25290

Mine is still in work. Mostly, i want to grind the bottom edge for a better contoured fit to the car. I have some U channel rubber to glue to the bottom. More rubber for the top to seal against the windshield frame and around the windows. I intend to find some stick on U edging for the exterior seams.

If your outer vinyl is poor, i think you could remove it, then use filler and paint it like a Miatas.
User avatar
MrWampus
Posts: 207
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:55 am
Your car is a: 1981 Spider
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Restoring a "Snugtop" hard top

Post by MrWampus »

Yes that's the same top I just bought. Here's a link to the eBay post though you might not be able to see it since it is closed.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/171257335111?nav=SEARCH

Your top looks nice! I'm planning to replace the vinyl with a tan color. Is there a way to hook the back of the top to the boot hooks on the car?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1981 Spider "The Mistress"
http://s1088.photobucket.com/albums/i329/mrwampus1/
"Because a 30-year-old sports car is cheaper than a 30-year-old blonde."
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