Cheap great looking outside base trim for Cabby's convertible top DIY

[cab89]

Deleted by member

[kamzcab86]

Looks factory to me.

FWIW, this is what factory looks like:


(Brian's pic)

[czastrow]

not so sure on calling kammy a "dude". that is brians hand and its not pointing to the part you are referring to, it is just a picture that shows what stock looks like where the trunk lid meets the top (which kammy knows and was trying to show with the pic). It is kind of hard to see what you did in your pictures.. I think how it looks stock looks fine, but if you're happy with your addition then .

and for the record.. no you cannot run something past kammy that is aftermarket and expect her to not notice it. Trust me.. she will see it.

[lil_squeeker]

I am trying to find a local Cabrio in a salvage yard and I will pull off that trim piece at the back of the top. I think I can make it work with a little modification.

it's part of the top.....not a trim piece.


edit: i see that you meant try to fit the piece from a cabrio but i dont think it will work. the cabrios top is attached in a totally different way.

[kamzcab86]

it is just a picture that shows what stock looks like where the trunk lid meets the top

Precisely. Merely wanted to point out the factory-original appearance.

I see now the difference. My top (a Crown) does not have the piping like the factory top. Having removed the original top (or VW replacement top that was put on), I was upset about all the rust from water hiding under the piping on the bottom seam where you cannot see your car being eaten away because water cannot evaporate. I mean that piping was rust welded to the body. It looks like Crown did away with that piping on my top for that reason and I think it is a good idea.

The top on my car is original and slowly falling apart; the rear retaining cable has loosened up and is no longer snug up against the rear mounting lip:



A result of ^that is a loose-fitting rear section; I can easily lift it up:


(No rust in sight; just old glue and/or cosmoline.)

I would venture to guess that it's because of a loose-fitting and/or improperly installed rear cable (not to mention a leaky rear window) that the rear mounting lip rusts on these cars. A nice, tight-fitting rear cable plus the OEM beading provides a pretty water-tight connection... not to mention looking better (complete and finished).



And, this is the first I've heard of the Crown brand.

How anyone could figure out Kamzcab86 is female from that screen name is beyond me.

A) Those who've been around here long enough know I'm an XX, not an XY. Some even know my real name!

B) Do not assume that every member of a car forum is a guy.

[native-texan_in_tn]

A) Those who've been around here long enough know I'm an XX, not an XY. Some even know my real name!

Since you bit your tongue regarding the subject of cats the other day, you've avoided any armadillo ranch fence repair duties and manly-hand comments from me... This time... {chuckle} (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

The top on my car is original and slowly falling apart; the rear retaining cable has loosened up and is no longer snug up against the rear mounting lip

Still original? For some reason, I thought I recalled that you had already performed that fun job (my memory's slipping!)... After seven (or is it eight now?) years, mine is just about due again, with a small hole in the top center from a piece of ice and the first cracks in the edge-beading at the fold points. Not bad, considering it's never been garaged. It doesn't look bad (still weatherproof) for my first installation but I'd like to correct a few mistakes (arched side-seams being top of the list). My rear cable needs to be tightened (perhaps replaced) now, as well, since it has loosened to the point of becoming quite visible...

"Crown" is not a name I've run across, either... The beading is present on mine, though (an Ebay find and I haven't a clue what brand now) and, as far as I can tell, identical to the original beading. I've yet to encounter any rust issues in the rear lip area, even with the loose cable. That said, my guess is that a loose cable might allow the top's base to shift about some, possibly enough to rub through to metal where rust might then begin... Just a guess...

[briano1234]

And, this is the first I've heard of the Crown brand.



A) Those who've been around here long enough know I'm an XX, not an XY. Some even know my real name!

B) Do not assume that every member of a car forum is a guy.

When doing a Top I have heard of the Crown Brand, Royal Crown, by Seagrams.

Some have even had Lunch with you...

Nat, she has been putting off her top for years, as it is too manly of a job ...

[native-texan_in_tn]

When doing a Top I have heard of the Crown Brand, Royal Crown, by Seagrams

Hmmm... So much for correcting the arched sides on the top if I were to do that brand on top-replacement day... {chuckle}

Nat, she has been putting off her top for years, as it is too manly of a job ...

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... We've only got about a 3-hour head start if she flies over this way, Brian... Maybe less with a good tailwind! LOL

[kamzcab86]

Still original? For some reason, I thought I recalled that you had already performed that fun job (my memory's slipping!)...

Yeah, well... I bought the top kit years ago, just haven't installed it yet, for several reasons. 1) Other projects and stuff have gotten in the way; 2) she's not driven a whole lot any more so it hasn't been a priority; 3) every time I decide to do it myself, I read Brian's instructions and think, "I'd rather pay The Top Shop (here in PHX) to do it so that nothing gets screwed up"; 4) I'm a perfectionist when it comes to the car, so I want it done to factory specs. The top gets worse every time I put it down now, so it's gotta be done soon.

Some have even had Lunch with you...

Nat, she has been putting off her top for years, as it is too manly of a job ...

Indeed!

And, it's not that it's too manly of a job, it's that I know something will get screwed up, even with your awesome instructions, and that means I'm out a chunk of change that I could've just paid a shop to do. Funny thing is, my van could use a new tent and that's a job I'd gladly do.

It looks like an after thought design someone would do in their garage.
They all leak, they all have wrinkles, they don't look good at the front, they rust out the body (yes they do)

Respectfully disagree.