Retrofitting a convertible top

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the_tool_man

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Hi all:

My car is a GT (no convertible top). My long-range plans include retrofitting a convertible top to the car. I bring it up now (probably a year early!), because tonight I'm looking at a potential parts car (Alpine) that has a convertible top in it. The car is pretty rough, so I am not confident that I will be able to determine if all of the needed parts are present, or evaluate their suitability for restoration. Does anyone have information on retrofitting the mechanism? The parts car in question appears to have a metal panel that resides between the area for top stowage and passenger compartment. Is this typically removable? What's the going rate for restorable top mechanisms? I haven't seen one for sale in a while, but the last one I saw on Ebay went for $300ish. Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
John.
 
Hi, I have a Alpine V GT that I fiited a softtop to. I removed the panels that hold the pads at the rear of the back section. I decided to use the metal covers from a IV rather than the later soft cover. The mounting holes for the rear panel that folds down were present in the inner wheel wells. Really rather easy changeover.
 
I just got back from looking at the car. Whereas my car has a metal panel on each side that tapers down to the rear wheel tub, this other car's side panels don't taper, and are joined by a third panel that spans the rear of the passenger compartment. My car has metal tabs for fastening the upholstery, which the other car obviously doesn't have. It looks like I'd have to remove the tabs, and swap over the panels from the other car.

The top mechanism has mostly cosmetic rust, and is missing one piece of hardware where the front attaches to the top of the windscreen. That piece is pretty badly rusted, and has a couple of places rusted through. Otherwise, it seems to all be there. Oddly, the metal castings that the top mechanism pivots on were not fastened to the car in any way.

Seems doable, if I can get the car cheap enough.
 
You have a S4 Alpine body which originally used 3 metal panels that cover the soft top when it is down. Or do you want to modify your car to take the S5 Alpine soft cover type? There are a few Sunbeam owners near you that can help with parts to make either one work on your car. Eric
 
My immediate need is to ascertain whether to buy this donor car. Are there any differences in the top mechanism or metal panels I referred to between IV and V? The donor car was a V, I think, because it had unfilled body seams and a square corner hood. It did not have anything I could recognize as a cover for the top when stowed, though I did find three aluminum trim pieces that were originally attached to the inside of the body sheetmetal around the top opening. Presumably these were used to attach a boot or cover of some sort. Based upon your description, I'm thinking this donor car did not use the metal panels, as they would have used hinges, right? Again, that makes is a later V Alpine, I think.

Edit: Serial number makes if a V, for sure.
 
The SV style top will be easier to install. We converted my fathers SIVGT to SIV style metal folding panels. The other option is you can keep the rear seat and the seat support braces (which also strengthen the body on Gt cars vs ST cars) if you are prepared to have the top mechanism sit up a little on the back (healey 300/porsche 356 cab style) you remove the 2 horizontal side boulsters and mount the soft top frame and pivots and add snaps around the back.. the UK calpine guide has a series of instrauctions and diagrams for this i could provide. I also have pics of cars with the same mod.
 
Pics would be great. Does the metal divider panel that goes across the back of the interior need to be swapped over when converting a IV? This looks like the biggest challenge, as it is spot welded in. Or, did you just use something else? My plan was to do this later in the project, well after I have the car on the road. But, if I have to do any welding, I may go ahead and do it sooner. Having the top sit up a bit wouldn't bother me, as long as it doesn't interfere with the hardtop.
 
the_tool_man said:
Pics would be great. Does the metal divider panel that goes across the back of the interior need to be swapped over when converting a IV? This looks like the biggest challenge, as it is spot welded in. Or, did you just use something else? My plan was to do this later in the project, well after I have the car on the road. But, if I have to do any welding, I may go ahead and do it sooner. Having the top sit up a bit wouldn't bother me, as long as it doesn't interfere with the hardtop.
Click to expand...

If you go the 3 metal folding panel route as we did.. there is some metal surgery.. you have to remove the metal braces between the rear shock tower zone and the upper valence as the soft top has to fold into that area, you need to remove all the vertical panels both side and backrest that form the seat. you need to insall the panels and hinges.. it is involved.

If you go the SV route.. same for cutting all the upports and then you need the vertical metal panel that goes on the rear deck that the soft top boot/cover attaches to.. the + side of the Sv setup is its much easier to fold than the metal boxes and the metal boxes take quite a bit of time to fettle to fit right and they are easily damaged.

the option of the top sitting on the rear is the easiest but as i said will sit above the body line when folded.. yo would have to remove the frame to use the hardtop.
 
There was a video on YouTube of some guys in Scotland I think doing what you're planning.
 
top

you need to contact 65sunbeam. he is in S.C. he probably has everything you need and can walk you thru what you need to do.
 
Well, it's moot now. Car was an Ebay auction, and I didn't win. Probably just as well, as the rest of the car was a pile of rust and Bondo. I've got enough projects already. Thanks for the help.

And the joke about Scottish was just that, a joke. I agree. The brogue sounds great. I actually visit the England about 2-3 times a year, and am to the point where I can understand most of it. I'm still struggling to tell the difference between Welsh, Scottish and Irish, but I can differentiate them from UK English now.
 
Is there any difference between the folding metal covers on various series Alpines and Tigers? I found a set on Ebay, but it says Alpine SI, II & III. Mines a IV.

Regards,
John.
 
John,

For starters the seller is incorrect. SI/II will not work on S3. there are detail differences between the SI/Ii setups on both the rear and side covers. The S3/IV are compatible with each other.. they are the ones you need.
 
Does this help ID them?

Alpinesofttopcovers1_zps32bc5bdf.jpg


Regards,
John.
 
early series,

the later ones are deeper on the horizontal surface and have a triangular part that comes down vertically, they also use different mountings.
 
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