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View Cart- Latches - Motor Pumps - Tonneau Covers - Weatherstripping Seals - Tacking Rails - Wood Bows - And Much More! -
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We have been manufacturing and distributing convertible tops and convertible top parts for the industry since 1975. We manufacture convertible top parts that are included in most replacement convertible tops and SUV soft tops now being used.
As a primary manufacturer for the convertible top industry we are able to purchase and distribute replacement soft tops for convertibles from most convertible top factories. We carry replacement convertible tops from most soft top manufacturers, selecting the best for each car.
For the do-it-yourself top installer, we have our own convertible top installation manuals. We also offer full convertible top replacement packages which include new convertible tops, hold down cables, tacking strips, pads, headliners, tools, and top installation manuals.
We are not "brokers". We own our factory and warehouse and have a responsive, knowledgeable staff who know convertible tops. Help, in response to "support emails" is thorough and prompt. You may also call us at 401-789-7720 with convertible top questions from 9am to 5pm Mon-Fri eastern time. Our support email address is
On line ordering is based on our secure and protected site. You may access information by selecting your convertible car in the list above. You will be taken to full information and a most secure ordering page. For telephone orders (orders only please) you may call 800-999-2892.
Many convertible owners have determined that they can install their own convertible tops! This is not for everyone, but about half of our customers have done do-it-yourself top installation! There is a significant savings as the typical shop installation for a new convertible top is billed at 8 hours.
Your car's page may display an available installation manual for that convertible top. About two thirds of tops require stapling which is best done with an air driven staple gun (which can be rented.) Others require the use of a rivet gun and almost all top installations require matching top fabric sections to the convertible framework and then using contact cement to apply the top fabric. There is almost never any sewing required. Many of our convertible top installation manuals are available with their cost being deductible against future purchase of the convertible top. Please consult your convertible car page for further information.
If you want to select a convertible top shop to get a quote for installing a top that you deliver to them, then please contact us at our support email address. We will either have a convertible top shop with which we have good experience, or we will email you advice on how to find and select a cooperative local convertible top shop.
There are important components of a convertible top installation that are not part of the actual convertible top. The important ones are the top hold down cables, the frame bow tacking strips, the convertible top pads (or webbing), the top's rear well liner and possibly other items.
We have assembled, for many convertibles, top installation packages. In these convertible top packages there will usually be hold down cables and, where often required, new top bow tacking strips. If available for your convertible an instruction manual will be included for free in that top package. In the following sections we'll describe some important convertible top accessories.
Most tops are held to the folding top frame, along the sides, with special cables. Replacement hold down cables are recommended when the top frame has been frequently raised and lowered.
Some tops have rear base attachment cables (Jaguar, Volkswagen) but most do not. And a few tops have short rear side cables for the corner flaps of the convertible top.
Some tops, notably the BMW and some very recent modular top assemblies, require no stapling in the installation of the convertible top. Almost all American tops prior to 2005, and other classic two part top designs, require that staples be driven through fabric into the tack strips which are embedded in the top frame. Tack strips are not difficult to remove and replace. Tack strips are most often employed in both the header bow (the convertible top frame bow that is over the windshield) and the rear top bow (the top frame bow that is over the rear window.)
Most cars with tacking strips also employ complex rear "trim stick" assemblies. These are also tacking strips, but they are embedded along the rear belt line of the body of the car. The base of the top is stapled there. Replacement trim sticks are separate from the tacking strips and are much less often required for convertible top replacement.
Many convertible tops have, under them, convertible top pads. These may be reinforced nylon webbing or foam and fabric assemblies. New pads are often required but only after the top has been in use for significant time or has been raised and lowered many times. We include pads in our packages as it is a good idea for the do-it-yourself installer to perform a conservative restoration.
These are our own published top installation manuals. Most of them have been through revisions based on our own and even customer experiences and inputs during their convertible top installations. Convertible top installation manuals include illustrations and step by step instructions. For example, our classic two part top manual is profusely illustrated and has been through four significant edition changes. This manual applies to almost any American top and many foreign tops as well. A summary of this manual appears on our site. This convertible top manual is a summary intended to orient the shopper in deciding upon do-it yourself installation. The complete manual is for sale and its purchase price is deductible from any follow up order of a convertible top. Look for this top installation summary at the Help link at the top of this page.
The two convertible top latches at the front of most top frames are being reproduced for some cars. If you do not see them listed for your car please inquire at our support email address.
Most weather-strips are not part of the top itself but are attached to the folding framework. We do list many replacement rubber seals for convertible top frames. If a seal is a permanent part of the top then it is manufactured into our replacement top.
While most convertible tops are manually operated, many have hydraulic motors and pistons that allow the top to be raised and lowered with a switch. We can service most motors which involves rewinding the armatures and fields of the top hydraulic motor pump. The motor rebuild service is described at the site. Just click on "Hydraulic Motor Pump Rebuild" from the menu above.
There is also a choice on the menu for Hydraulic Cylinders and this takes you to other hydraulic parts for your convertible top system. Where available these parts and service should also be listed at your car's page.
We are continuously building this site which was established in 1996. The clerical work required is large and we expect that we will never finish! Please feel free to use our support email mailbox. We answer emails at least twice a day and then irregularly on weekends.
