1970 Convertible Top Replacement

mbeinner

Hi Vince,
Great information. I have a couple of questions.

Once the webbing straps are in place, do the two black side pads fit on top of the webbing straps or underneath? Are the ends glued to the back tin ends? Any pics showing the back side pads being placed on top or underneath the webbing straps?

Mark

INLANDGHIA · Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 5:13 pm Post subject:

what are the measurements from a 1960-68 convertible frame to 1969.5 frame and will an early top fit a 1969.5 frame...thanks

72Ghia

Ghiaddict · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 5:52 am Post subject:

Bill has explained it correctly. Rear side pads are on top
of the webbing straps. To secure those sections to the body,
you need the clamping plates with hardware. These are pictured
early on in this thread.
INLANDGHIA- The overall dimensions of an early top cover
vs. a later one are pretty close. But the bow above the rear window
is higher for later models, so the top upholstery dimensions were changed.
Also consider that the method of attaching the top covers @ the rear body
are very different. Most early covers use a wooden "tack strip" below
the rear window while the later covers are designed to utilize the
"u-channel" on a later body to capture and secure the cover along
the rear below the rear window.
For the early top covers, only late '67, all '68 and early '69
are designed to use the tensioning cable in the body "u-channel" at the rear.
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Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed.

Rob Timmons · Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 7:50 pm Post subject: Top frame

Does anyone know what the adjustment for this would be? What is allowed I guess is what I mean.How much of the main bow can come into the door opening?

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

If the set screws are loosened here will the main bow move in and out from the main hinge?

And lastly, this bow which was never used but aged came with the car. Does it look like it can be fit or does it over hang the windshield frame too much? The hooks seem to go into the latch area pretty good but the fit doesn't look good to me. Thanks

[/img]

My Patches · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:22 am Post subject:

Thanks for this posting. I just picked up a '70 cv and will be returning to this often.

One thing that I did notice that was strange. I was on ebay looking at parts for ghias when I found an ad about the top wood bow for '69-'74 Ghias. The photos on the ad are the same as the ones on this posting.

curious,
Dave (newbie)

57 Zwitter? · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 1:31 pm Post subject: Rear window cable??????

Question for Vince, I am putting a top kit on a 71 Ghia and am confused by one part of this installation procedure. The rear window cable. I got this car without a top on it. I have installed many tops on bugs and this seems like what I am used to doing but I dont know anything about a rear window cable and it didnt come with my top kit however I did get the rear and side cables. Does a rear window cable belong on a 71? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Rob Timmons · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:46 pm Post subject:

Hi My Patches, Are they photos from my post? If they are, someone has taken my photos and are using them in their ad. I took these pictures myself.

Ghiaddict · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:08 am Post subject: Re: Rear window cable??????

Ghiaddict · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:14 am Post subject:

My Patches · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 3:32 pm Post subject:

Hey Vince.

Ebay photo mystery solved. Just got the wood bow in the mail today. It came from M&T. Now to see if I have any oil or paint to treat it for it will quite some time before I will actually put it to use.

Dave

57 Zwitter? · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 2:57 am Post subject:

I got a new rear window cable from Chucks convertibles. Top is on and it now makes sense the reason for it. My new rear body cable was 90" long and nearly impossible to install with 3 people holding it It never did end up completely in the groove in the body, I am hoping after being in the hot sun it will work its way in. I had to use 3 8mm nuts as shims on each side to use up the extra length on cable. Where does the front get stapled to the bow? On a bug it is stapled under the rubber weatherstrip but since there is no weatherstrip and it would be ugly to see all the staples I assume it goes way back on the inside under the plastic header finishing panel. Lastly, when the top is put down it doesnt sit down in the body but sticks way up. is this correct??? This thread was a great help, THANKS!

Ghiaddict · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:58 am Post subject:

57 Zwitter?: Sent you a PM.
_________________
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Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed.

Slow Ray · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 3:48 pm Post subject: 72 ghia top replacement.

Ghiaaddict you look like the guy to ask so here goes. Im installing a new top on my 72 ghia. I have the headliner and padding kit in no problem. I was wondering with the top itself I am going with a vinyl top since the car will be an ongoing project and daily driver for the time. Getting the cable in the channel below the window opening seems quite a chore. And when I finally did get it in there it seems I ran out of thread on the ends before the cable had completely disapeared. Is this common. I know I can fit some spacers in there for extra tension but thought it would tighten up without. Once the work is completed on the rest of the car I intend on installing a canvas top, but for now vinyl is the smartest way to go.

Bleyseng · Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 12:58 pm Post subject:

John Moxon · Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 12:15 am Post subject:

FYI: I'm afraid "Ghiaddict" no longer posts on The Samba due to health issues. I have tried to contact Vince several times during the year but have had no reply. If anyone knows how Vince is getting on please let me know by PM as it's very sad to lose such a helpful and knowledgeable member of the community.
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swavananda · Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 11:38 am Post subject:

My car came with the outer rubber seal on it , it was just stapled into the header through that inner lip on the seal. that seal had been on there like a long time and held up fine without the steel bars.you don't see the staples/bar anyway.
when i redid my top, with huge help from this thread (thanks vince!), i ended up going with the foam seal under the canvas and it seals real tight.

Around the same time i was doing my top there was a member here called "coceteau"?????? not sure if thats right .......he was doing his top as well but used the outer seal with the bars .i remember he had pics of the install. maybe john knows who i am refering to and get a link .....

Both ways will work. but having used both types of seal, the under seal does look a bit cleaner

Mod Edit: The link to "crocteau" : http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=42235

swavananda · Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 6:24 pm Post subject:

ah, that's it! from crocteau's pics:

Bleyseng · Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 12:12 pm Post subject:

great pic!

Thanks as that shows the installation of the seal.
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77 Westy 2.0L w/Ljet, Camper Special engine-95hp and with LSD!(sold)
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Ghia 1966 · Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 7:12 am Post subject:


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