1958-1962 Soft top rip prevention?

[Anthony P.]

I have observed a number of 1958-1962 soft Tops with rips (1" to 3" long) in the 2 rear curved corner areas (almost all in the same general area), including on my 62 when I purchased it a few montsh ago.

My top is nearly perfect except for these 2 areas (drivers side about 3", and passengers side about 1"). It does not look like a wear spot since it is not really frayed, and I can't see anything sharp that would have cut it, unless it is somehow getting caught between the frame.

So my dilemma is about replacing my soft top, and preventing this from happening.

What do others do to prevent this from happening besides keeping the top always up?

Thanks,
Tony

[Richard M.]

Re: 1958-1962 Soft top rip prevention?

Tony,

My 59's top when I bought the car in 1986 was torn on both sides in the area where the stainless trim pieces are at the end of the "hidem" strip. After I replaced the top, whenever I fold it down i put a small piece of cloth over the ss trim pieces to protect the fabric from being torn when folded down. Last top I installed was 1992 and no tears since.

Rich

[Dennis C.]

Re: 1958-1962 Soft top rip prevention?

I think Rich nailed the reason for the tear. We spoke about this at the Advance Judging class on Friday at the National.

Dennis

[Anthony P.]

Re: 1958-1962 Soft top rip prevention?

Thanks Folks.. I was just so reluctant to change the top, and then have it rip again.

Tony

[Alexander C.]

Re: 1958-1962 Soft top rip prevention?

Can anyone take a picture for a new guy? I bring my car home this weekend with a new top and I'd like to protect it as mentioned...

Thanks!

[Michael B.]

Re: 1958-1962 Soft top rip prevention?

The issue I have with my 1961 top is a pinching or scissor action that some how pinches the inside top material tending to cut right through the top material starting from the inside progressing to the outside of the top material. It first shows up as a horizontal fold (about 1 to 2 inches lon)about 40 percent of the way up from the bottom of the top to body area. I cannot see how the stainless trim item could possibly be causing this issue because this trim piece is several inches away from the pinched area. I have seen plenty of cars with this same issue and I have yet to have anyone properly explain why this happens. It happened to me the very first time I lowered my brand new top. Gosh that was enough to make me never put the top down again. The LH side appears to be OK. When I lift the bottom bow up as needed to raise the body lid to expose the area to drop the folded top into there does not appear to be any bow that could cut or pinch the inside of the top material but my top is cut almost all the way through the material on the RH side.