Who has ACTUALLY fitted a factory hardtop to a 3.2 cabrio?

[GeorgeK]

Now that I heve found, bought and picked up the hard top, I need to fit it.

Has anyone gone trough the process?

I am a few more weeks off, but any pointer welcome as to fitting it, and about packing the soft top safely.

[john walker's workshop]

It attaches the same way the soft top does.

[GeorgeK]

So no particular procedure, I gather.
Good to know.

[r_towle]

could you elaborate on the hunt, where you looked, found , and pricing?

I want one, but not for a kings ransom.

rich

[Canada Kev]

The factory hard tops are pretty rare and expensive. You can pick up an aftermarket fibreglass or carbon fibre one. They're not exactly cheap, but likely in line with hard tops for other cars like MB or BMW.

Werk911 is one source I've seen recently.

Body Components-911 Removable Hardtop For 3.0 3.2 Cabriolet 1983-86 | Werks911 Porsche Parts

[GeorgeK]

Originally Posted by r_towle

could you elaborate on the hunt, where you looked, found , and pricing?

I want one, but not for a kings ransom.

rich

Porsche 911 sc Cabriolet Factory Hardtop

King's ransom, lol....

[wildthing]

King's Ransom is right. Seller with 5 posts, I would've been dubious. Glad it worked out for you. Looks like it stayed in Europe.

[GeorgeK]

For the record,
Seller is a gentleman. Description of the roof was spot on, he was flexible on date of pick-up, made arrangements for safe payment, and kept his word (on price) no matter what offers he received after we shook hands on the deal. let me in his house, showed me his projects, and took his time helping me pack the roof safely.

As for pricing, well... Never seen another for sale and this one has the correct latches (early type) for my car. So I am happy. which is all it is about.

[onevoice]

Originally Posted by Canada Kev

Werk911 is one source I've seen recently.

That is a DMoris top, you can order directly from them and save some $.

911/964/993 Hardtops -photos - D. Moris Styling

[super9064]

Years ago I found one at Hershey for sale by a Porsche dealer that had one leftover, he unloaded it on me for $2500. Frankly, it was such a PIA to take on and off, several hours and two people, and it never really sealed well. I happily sold it with the car..... no regrets.

To answer the OP's question. Push the seats and seat backs all the way forward, crawl in the back. But first lose what ever weight it takes for you to be about 110lbs.
start unscrewing all the panels that cover the folding top mechanisms.
Next remove the large bolts that secure the top to the body.
you need two people to lift off the folding top, mostly so you avoid scratching anything.
As I recall the front of the roof simply uses the cab latches to secure it, the rear is bolted down.
Its not really complicated, its just tedious. I becomes quicker the more times you do it. Then someday it will become a permanent fixture of the car and you will have a Coup, or it will become a permanent fixture of your garage or basement where you can trip over it on a regular basis.

Sorry..... I'm Jet lagged, have a terrible cold and am cranky. Enjoy your purchase, your car and its top will be the toast of Cars and Coffee, because it is super cool and no one else has one.

[GeorgeK]

Rob, Lol!

That is good feedback. And also something I fear (getting bored with the hassle of switching over). Time will tell, but for now, I am anxious to give it a try.

[pavegeno]

I looked at buying one from DMoris when I got to Germany in 2014. Talked to my mechanic who worked a lot of them and he got visibly upset relaying how difficult it was to take on and off. His advice was if you put it on, leave it on. I passed on it.

[Joe Bob]

d.morris...France, shipping would be a killer, didn't even bother to look at the price...

[peon77]

That top is a good looking thing and it cures most of the cab shortfalls. I think you could make something out of this to make getting it on/off easier. This comes with 2 hoist systems

https://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/50-lb-Capacity-Hoists-with-AutoLock-Mechanism-Pack-of-2/10879708/product.html?recset=02a0a0af-5b69-4d0e-a254-ba3584f02e84&refccid=RB4TDQKF2SVIHXKP7HSHZTSTCI&recalg=872,873,839&recidx=0

[GeorgeK]

Peon,
main issue I see is not as much the handling of the hardtop, but the safe storage of the soft top. It will need a crate of some sort to be preserved while not on the car. It seems it only likes to be on the car and closed to stay in good condition.

But the hoist idea is a good one. If I had a ceiling high enough...

[996AE]

Reviving this thread I hope

Anyone actually install a D Morris top?

Looks pretty straight forward but I am curious about the manual top locks when my 88 911 has electric latches?

[pavegeno]

When I looked at it for my electric top 88, you can see on the price list on the website the parts for converting electric to manual locks.

I really wanted to get this but wasn't ready to not have a cab. Based on what my mechanic and others have said, the process is tedious and you will likely leave it on and sacrifice having a cab, or it will sit in your garage taking up space.

That being said, I will probably buy it one day.

Good luck!

[GeorgeK]

I actually still have the hardtop, and the car that goes under it.
It is indeed kind of a white elephant. Not something that you fit on a whim. I had it on the car for about a year, then went back to the soft top. I still have to paint it car color (other projects going on).
BUT, it is part of a remarkable setup for me: I have the soft top, the full tonneau cover and the factory hard top. Makes for a complete set, that should have some worth for a collector.

[Joe Bob]

The fact that you have remove the canvas top kills it for me. If it rains I’ll drive faster and get an overpass or home.

[996AE]

I am waiting on invoice from Moris and likely will order it.

I bought this car thinking I would like a cab in the fleet but I am really a coupe guy. I never take top down so after a year of owning a convertible sell or buy a hardtop for it.

Leaning the hardtop direction.