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Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:12 pm

Can someone give me the measurement between the front windsheld
and the front lip of the rag top for an oval.

Thanks

Tue Apr 29, 2008 1:55 pm

Hi,

3 fold oval ragtop

OR

2 fold oval ragtop

Actually your most accurate dimension will be from the "B" pillar on the latch side. Transfer that up to the roof and then measure front and rear from that dimension.
The "B" pillar at the door latch side never moved during the entire VW run. You can bolt any vintage door onto any other vintage but you will have major latch issues and the windows will look goofy. (not 100% sure about the 70's and 80's)

Dave

Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:12 pm

For a 3 fold it is 6" from the windshield to the lip.

Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:27 am

The rag clip is a 3 fold that I'm grafting into my 57.

Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:33 am

Thanks for the replies, the guy I got the rag clip said 5 3/4" so 6" is what
I'll set it at. Should I butt weld it or over lap the rag clip?

Thanks again

Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:46 am

Hi,

Just a thought,

You have a complete rag top clip 3 fold !?!

I'm sure you realize not only the demand for but also the value of this item?
A 2 fold is historically correct in the 57 so why not pick up a "proper" two fold for $500 or so and pass along the 3 fold to someone who REALLY needs it and would pay a fair sum of $$ to purchase it from you and then pocket the difference to further improve your 57??

3 folds and their related parts are getting darn near impossible to locate.

As far as installation, cut the hole just about the exact size of the opening in the roof graft. Cut the roof graft a little bigger and bring the graft UP from the bottom of the roof, clamp it into place and spot weld and eventually stitch weld the entire roof into place. Don't do a long continuous weld, you could distort the roof from the heat.
I've got instructions, PM me your email address and I'll send them to you. They are for the 2 fold but apply just as well to a 2 fold.

Saags, a forum member just did this and is very happy with the results.

Dave

Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:56 am

The "proper" way to do it is the way the factory did it by spot welding it in from the underside. drill out all the spot welds with a spot weld cuter and remove the frame from the skin. Cut the exact hole in the roof of your car using the skin you just removed as a template then spot weld or plug weld the frame in from the underside. This method could result in almost zero body filler.

THIS METHOD IS ONLY FOR 3 FOLD. for 2 fold do as written above.

Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:21 am

Some pics pulled from the gallery of a factory type install

Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:42 pm

Quote: The rag clip is a 3 fold that I'm grafting into my 57.

I'll buy that clip off of you for my 53 oval restore. Name your price.

Thu May 01, 2008 12:14 pm

Sorry, my mistake, it came off a 61(new to the rag top thing!).

Thu May 01, 2008 1:16 pm

Ok then, KCW has a good video of a 2fold install on there site.

Thu May 01, 2008 1:47 pm

Thanks Michael!

Thu May 08, 2008 10:32 am

Installed the rag top into the bug last weekend, was very pleased with the results. I'll post some pics. soon.