Hardtop

[big kev]

Morning all,

Have seen a couple of hardtops up for sale at what appears to be reasonable prices, but was looking for advice. Currently my 93 has the original roof and windows, would the current windows fit with a hardtop or would I need to buy matching windows as well? Or should I buy them anyway, the original windows are not great to look at.

The couple of times I have driven the car with the roof on I have found visibility to be poor and headroom awful, so I guess I would like to improve on this.

I think the double bubble top adds upto 4 inches of headroom?

Any thoughts?

[RT/10Dave]

Morning Kev,

I have a hard top on my car, which came with it when I bought it, and I have to say it is definately preferable to the removable soft top, although the down side, obviously, is that you can't just take it off and put it in the trunk... But to be honest I prefer the look of the car with it on anyway.

Yes the original soft top windows will fit, I think the only one that doesn't fit them is the Northwind engineering roof, (I think that's what Nigel has on Bling... Hopefully someone will confirm that one) as the windows are a more rounded/oval shape with that one. When I bought my car I had no proper windows, but as you said, with the original soft top screens visibilty was poor, so I bought a set of V-mania screens, which I managed to get at an extremely good price on ebay from a guy in Florida (got lucky) and they fit well and visibility is greatly improved. Also the complete package adds something to the overall appearance of the car, so ultimately I'm chuffed with the setup.

These are the side screens I now have. http://www.vipermania.com/Windows.asp
and a couple of pictures of the overall appearance:



I don't think you'll regret it if you go for it...

I think this is a Northwind roof, I'm not certain though.

Edited by RT/10Dave on Friday 1st June 09:28

[V1PER]

The factory windows will fit with Biff's roof (V-Mania and northwind) but will not fit the Hennessy roof (last pic) as the roof is tear drop shaped by the glass...

Bling has a V-Mania roof with the optional roof duct.....

Edited by V1PER on Friday 1st June 09:38

[Viper]

the canvas roof looks pretty naff, at the time the werent originally designed to take roof and the soft top was sort of a way to overcome the problem

the bubble does give around 4" of head height, if you go glass/solid windows and hardtop youll also need door poppers to gain entry

[RT/10Dave]

That's the one... Hennessey! (forgot about them, was thinking it was just Vmania and Northwind). Was hoping you'd pitch in and help Baz.

[RT/10Dave]

Viper said:

if you go glass/solid windows and hardtop youll also need door poppers to gain entry

The Vmania windows do have an option to go for a small slider in the bottom front corner, which allows you to get round that problem, and I believe the Northwind windows are two part sliders.

Vmania

Edited by RT/10Dave on Friday 1st June 09:56

[V1PER]

Edited by V1PER on Friday 1st June 10:20

[viper paul]

As an ex RT/10 owner there is another thing to watch over the years the lenght of the front latching pins have been changed so make sure you know who's roof it was so you can get another set of pins.

Biff at V mania is so helpfull he will send you a set of pins probably for free.

I had a Northwind roof and Northwind opening windows they were great except for the slight gap at the front which I could never cure hence the 2 towels remark.

Having seen V-Manias roof on Bling think its the way to go.

[Viper Nigel]

Kev,

The V-Mania roof with double bubble on Bling gives good head room and makes it less claustrophobic and the visibility with the Northwind sliding windows is so much better than the rag top and side curtains.

It's not completely weatherproof and I still have a matching pair of towels but it does make it more secure and useable. I've also got door poppers but beware - always keep a spare set of keys on you as once the door closes you cannot open it if you've left the keys in the car and the windows are locked.

As Paul says ensure you know what year the roof comes off as the latching pins do vary.

Don't forget I've still got your model here.

All the best
Nigel.

[big kev]

Thanks guys,

Looks like thats the one to go for, with matching towels.
Nigel haven't forgot the model, do you want to post it to me' if so drop me an e-mail and we can sort it out