Hard top for Mk2 MX5

[911hillclimber]

Looking to buy a second hand works hard top for my daughter's Mk2.

The car has the Frankeinstien bolts in the two chromed stips just behind the soft top already.

What do I need besides the top itself?

Seems there is a 'pig-tail' loom to connect the top to the soft top heated rear window needed, but do I need to get anything else?

Thanks, Graham.

[snotrag]

You also need two latches for the side. They are the same kind of latch as the ones fitted to your hood. Two receiver plates/catches, they mount on the plastic area behind the door ( next to the drivers right shoulder).

[911hillclimber]

Thanks for the info.

Top
Loom pig-tail
Side cates you state.

I would expect all this to be sold with the hood as thet have no other use.

The plan is to drive the car to the seller and fit it on the car to get it back, so need all the bits.

[MX7]

Has it got a heated rear window switch fitted? If not, you'll need that, along with the relay and other bits, or you could just get a top without a HRW.

[911hillclimber]

Thanks, but yes. The car has a heated rear screen in the soft top. Thought that was standard on the MX5?!
She has discovered that the car has a dash mounted 6 disc CD player, so this aparently is 'Mint'

Yuffe of Today!

[MX-5 Lazza]

Unless she parks it somewhere dodgy I wouldn't bother with a hard-top. It's one of those things that people always think they want/need when they first get an MX5 but after a winter without one realise that it isn't needed at all as the hood & heater work very well to keep you warm & comfortable inside.
There are better things to spend that much money on.

[snotrag]

He's right - I've sold mine this Autumn, was nice to have but not really neccassary and much better to spend the money on other aspects of the car.

I've put the cash into my car kitty and it will probably go towards a really nice nice mohair hood in the spring with a galss HRW, which will be warm and waterproof AND still fold down.

I got mighty frustrated with my hardtop a couple of times when I ended up with it on when I wanted it off.

[MX7]

911hillclimber said:

Thanks, but yes. The car has a heated rear screen in the soft top. Thought that was standard on the MX5?!

My mistake, just seen that it's a Mk2. Too much wine.

There will be two plates just behind the seats which the side latches attach to. I don't know if they are fitted as standard, but as the rear bolts are, I would expect them to be there.

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...

[skinny]

i like my hardtop in the winter i'm driving 25 minutes each way to work on crap boring roads stuck behind school mums, and to london along the M4 on the weekends. absolutely no point taking the roof down, keeps it dryer (getting a bit of a wet boot in heavy rain with the soft top), warmer, quieter, and more secure.

[Planet Claire]

skinny said:

i like my hardtop in the winter i'm driving 25 minutes each way to work on crap boring roads stuck behind school mums, and to london along the M4 on the weekends. absolutely no point taking the roof down, keeps it dryer (getting a bit of a wet boot in heavy rain with the soft top), warmer, quieter, and more secure.

I put mine on last weekend, makes those M3 commutes much more pleasant in rainy weather. Plus you get the added benefit of a larger back window and a bit more rigidity, and a different look to the car!

[J-Tuner]

Planet Claire said:

I put mine on last weekend, makes those M3 commutes much more pleasant in rainy weather. Plus you get the added benefit of a larger back window and a bit more rigidity, and a different look to the car!

The blind spot removal is a big bonus. Mines been on a couple of weeks now and its a more cosy interior for those cold frosty mornings (when the heated screen is working!). Its definately quieter on the motorway also.

Pro's and cons to having one but if you have the space and cash its a nice to have.

[911hillclimber]

This is my 24 year old Daughter's car, and she is in the first flush of Sports Car ownership, and simply fancies the black car with a black hard top.
The variety is nice to have, but I had a Spitfire (!) an awful long time ago with a fibreglass hard top and rag top and it was nice to have the option.

The real issue is getting one!

There are two on here, one gone and one not painted (though cheap).
Eb@y is a real challenge as the whole world wants to buy one, any colour!

£500 is the going rate.....

[911hillclimber]

Bought a hard top tonight with rear screen wire and the front/side clips.

I know I need the side body plates/frank' bolts, have the rears already.

Do I need anything else please?
Does the screen cable simply plug into the loom from the car?

Graham.

[trooperiziz]

911hillclimber said:

Bought a hard top tonight with rear screen wire and the front/side clips.

I know I need the side body plates/frank' bolts, have the rears already.

Do I need anything else please?
Does the screen cable simply plug into the loom from the car?

Graham.

The hard top fits to the two front catches as per the soft top, has two side catches of the same type that need the receiver plates fitted, and then the two frankenstein bolts on the rear, and that is it

You should have a connector on the rear parcel shelf if you already have the rear window element wired in (passenger side I think), depending on the age of the hard top you may need to wire in the correct connector as the mk1 and mk2 are different I believe. Other than that you are good to go. If you don't have the wiring loom in place for the heated rear window, then they regulary come on mx5nutz and shouldn't cost more than about £30.

[911hillclimber]

You should write instructions for Haynes manuals!

Excellent, thanks for the detail.

I'm clear now.

I'm doing this all blind as she has had the car 1 week and is never here...

Oh to be 24 again!

Thanks again, Graham.

[Odie]

I like having my hard top on in winter for the extra visibility out of the rear.

A tip ive found is too undo the frankestein bolts a little before putting it on then tighten them after.

Watch out for the dangling screen heater cable when you put it on too. (perhaps masking tape it too the window rubber on the roof)

I can manage to put the hard top on, on my own BUT it is best for 2 to do it.

[911hillclimber]

Thanks for the tips.

The car has the side clamp plates on so the car in the past has had a top on it.

Collecting it from Wales Sunday, so should be a nice drive. I hope she will drop the top going down and come back all covered up.

The real benefit will be the visibility.
Hope it is as shiney as it is in the pics!

[MX-5 Lazza]

My old Mk1 Berkeley and my current Mk2.5 Sport both had the side latch plates fitted and neither has ever had a hard top. They did fit them to some cars as standard.

[Odie]

MX-5 Lazza said:

My old Mk1 Berkeley and my current Mk2.5 Sport both had the side latch plates fitted and neither has ever had a hard top. They did fit them to some cars as standard.

I had to fit mine myself, was a very easy job. I bought the full mazda kit tho, with the side panels etc.