TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1974 Ghia Convertible Top Won't Engage to Windshield Frame

Wed Jul 03, 2024 11:08 am

Since I only drive it on sunny days, I haven't put the top up in years. Last time the top was up was up was maybe 10 years ago and it was a difficult stretch to get it attached to the frame at the windshield. Now, the top is at least 2 inches or more short of engaging with the top frame. I set the car in the hot Carolina sun, detached the headliner at the back of the car, and lubricated the metal convertible frame joints but the top isn't close to reaching the windshield frame. This is the original top but the car has always been garaged. Any advice on what the problem is and how to proceed would be appreciated.

Wed Jul 03, 2024 11:40 am

The problem is that you stored your car with the top down. I am pretty sure the owners manual says to keep top up when not in use. The top "might" take its prior shape in the hot sun.

Sat Jul 06, 2024 12:14 pm

Depends on the top material. If yours is the older, vinyl material, it will be stiff if you leave the top in the down position too long. Do not try to put it up in the cold or prior to warming the top up. Let it sit in the sun to warm up.

If your top is made of the canvas type of material, you will not have this problem as often. I would still let it warm up in the sun prior to putting the top up.

Mine is high quality canvas and i have the car garaged and covered always and mostly with the top down. Prior to going into the colder months, I let the car sit in the sun, let it warm up, then put the top up. It might still be stiff, and you might have to lengthen the locking hooks a bit on each side and then shorten them a little at a time to get that good seal across the front. Pressing down on the top front corner as you are closing the top helps too.

Sat Jul 06, 2024 7:32 pm

Always put the top up and clamp it. All fabric will shrink over time plus cause wrinkles.
You might try steaming the vinyl to soften it and then let the hooks out all the way. Push down until the hooks engage. Every few hours tighten them a few turns and repeat until you are able to fully latch them.
That’s cool it’s the original top hopefully you can get it to stretch and remember to always always store the car with the top closed.

Sun Jul 07, 2024 9:41 am

Thanks for everyone's comments. The sun has been helping this 50 year old vinyl top relax a bit, but the fully extended hooks are still a long way from engaging the frame. I'll give it some more time, but I'm thinking my next post will be soliciting advice on where to buy a replacement vinyl top and how to do that job.

Sun Jul 06, 2025 9:03 am

Interesting thread as I have same issue. Understanding top should be left up to keep stretch out. Mine was not. It was off car for 7 years while body work being done. With that said curious can the top be restretch with hot sun. I had an idea to put mild weights on to help it stretch out slowly. Has anyone tried? Is there another trick I should try

Sun Jul 06, 2025 10:32 am

The hot Carolina sun eventually softened up my top so that it stretched enough to engage the hooks and then enough so that the hooks could be adjusted so that the top fit normally. It took 6 weeks or so of me rolling it out of the garage on sunny days. I also tried pouring heated water (175F or so) on to the top that may have helped somewhat.

Sun Jul 06, 2025 1:25 pm

Today is 90. I decided to put in hot sun and put two 10 lb weights on. I started with a 3 inch gap. Each hour I pushed down. After 5 hours I was down to an inch and a half. I then unscrewed grabbers and brought top down. Still working on getting fully stretch but I believe I got it with not rips.

Sun Jul 06, 2025 1:26 pm