Posted by Winget on June 21, 1999 at 07:45:00:
In Reply to: WC-57 FUEL TANK posted by ian r on June 19, 1999 at 05:33:23:
Don't have a photo for you. Bought a kit from Beechwood about 8 years ago. At that time I had to rivit the brackets together and drill holes, heat and forge rivits, etc. It's a long "phaton" style top that uses no intermediate support posts. you unbutton the side rear flaps (do it or RIP them!), unscrew the middle bow retainers, loosen the front two pillar mount lock screw handles and proceed to lower it. The sides pivot in to the center, allowing the front header to colapse in toward the rear. They pivot at unequal legnths, allowing for a slight overlap. You must get the top material (lays over the top webbing loosly) out of the mechanism to prevent pinching. I insert old socks, canvas strips under the shapr strap retainer/tensioners on the last bows to prevent any further wear through as the top rests on the back deck. If you fold out the loose top material and colapse the bows, you can roll up the top and use the tie down strap to retain the whole mess at the back of the vehicle. I add a small stick to aid in keeping the roll tight and neat. YOU MUST REMEMBER TO UNFASTEN the rear doorway front top snaps, or they will rip out in lowering the top. (seen it on other originals, then did it to mine and figured out why theirs was like that. (damn hard lesson) Installation is the revers, (PULL OUT THE STICK! or rip the seam at the back) raise the top, push out at the side bars till they lock under the side support clamp bracket (pivot) then lower to the windshield frame and clamp it. I try to fasten most of the rear fasteners before finally pushing it down in front, as it's easier than streaching them later. If this seems confusing, read and reread the manual. Try to get someone else with a command Car to demonstrate (at a show or visit)
I paid about 12-1500 for the darn thing, it's lasted well, but needs some repair to maintain her. Mounting the new top is a different story, I'll only go into it if you really, really want to know.
Does anyone have an extra METAL header? Beechwood sold me a fiberglass one during the original purchase, and it looks ratty once in the up position. Regards WAW