[wlb50]

Your saying the Soft Top and Installation cost is $2,700.00. If so, that's really high.

I don't think so. But we shall see. This shop has been around for years and they have worked on everything from classic Rolls-Royce and Bentley's to Volkswagens to 57 Chevys

and I don't know about your area but post Covid labor has gone crazy here

Edit: I might add, this place is so popular I made my appt 3 months ago.

 

[Sparking1]

Well as I'm lying in bed with typical insomnia but in a few hours I am going to take my SL into the interior shop for a new convertible top.

I like to keep things as stock as possible but paying $4000+ for a factory convertible top is a bit much for me, even though this first one has lasted 26 years. But in all fairness it probably should've been replaced a few years ago but it is still watertight and usable

The previous owner, the original owner, did replace the last third though maybe 15 years ago?

So I have heard GAHH makes a top comparable to factory. I've had their leather seat covers now for probably seven years and they seem fine and you can't tell them from the original factory

The owner of the shop convinced me not to have the top made in the original heppich (sp?) material but in one that he says is even better than that. And it is what he normally uses.. So we shall see.

Ordered it in the identical color of brown on the outside and black on the inside and since I didn't want to pay another $200 for a new "headliner" so we're going to dry clean the one that I have

and I managed to get most of that paint off that I discovered was on the passenger side of my car

what a mess, although the front wheel well inside is white. I am not going to fool with that

can report on the top if anyone is interested

whole things going to cost me about $2700.

I admire anyone who tries to tackle this on their with no experience own trying to save on labor. It looks like a hell of a job and that's when you know what you're doing

Definitely interested in the manufacturer and fabric used, as well as the quality, appearance, and function of your new soft top. Mine will need one this year.

 

[e-420]

hint on the headliner. early R129's had a bar at the back the headliner attached to and you could remove the entire headliner easily. Later (including my 97) had the back of the headliner glued to a bar for the top so you had to cut it off. My headliner wasn't in great shape but I found a great one on ebay, and washed it in the bathtub with Wollite. And went to the dealer and my favorite parts guy found out that the bar for the earlier headliner attachment was still available, although they had to get if from germany. So glued the back of the headliner to the bar and it then screws into place on the top. Now if I want to either get a new top, change headliner, or clean it, it's pretty easy peasy to take it out.

 

[wlb50]

Definitely interested in the manufacturer and fabric used, as well as the quality, appearance, and function of your new soft top. Mine will need one this year.

They made both the traditional German OEM fabric and this other fabric my friend said he prefers the other fabric because it's even more durable and that's why they use that most of the time.

I always like to go with original factory but with the original top over $4000 this was an easy thing

it's coming in the same interior and exterior color like the factory and you can buy the last third separately with the rear window

I think this is a pretty high class places love to see the cars in there

The owner always gets a kick because every time I visit them I come with my camera

i'll let you all know

by the way the Jaguar is an XK 120 drophead coupe. Didn't think they made those until the XK 140

 

[Sparking1]

They made both the traditional German OEM fabric and this other fabric my friend said he prefers the other fabric because it's even more durable and that's why they use that most of the time.

I always like to go with original factory but with the original top over $4000 this was an easy thing

it's coming in the same interior and exterior color like the factory and you can buy the last third separately with the rear window

I think this is a pretty high class places love to see the cars in there

The owner always gets a kick because every time I visit them I come with my camera

i'll let you all know

by the way the Jaguar is an XK 120 drophead coupe. Didn't think they made those until the XK 140 View attachment 2801926 View attachment 2801927 View attachment 2801928 View attachment 2801929

That Alfa and Jag are gorgeous! I’ll keep these pics from my daughter, otherwise, that Beetle convertible will be on her Christmas list!

 

[Sparking1]

hint on the headliner. early R129's had a bar at the back the headliner attached to and you could remove the entire headliner easily. Later (including my 97) had the back of the headliner glued to a bar for the top so you had to cut it off. My headliner wasn't in great shape but I found a great one on ebay, and washed it in the bathtub with Wollite. And went to the dealer and my favorite parts guy found out that the bar for the earlier headliner attachment was still available, although they had to get if from germany. So glued the back of the headliner to the bar and it then screws into place on the top. Now if I want to either get a new top, change headliner, or clean it, it's pretty easy peasy to take it out.

Could you post some pics and the part number? Would be helpful when I need to replace the headliner on my ‘98.

 

[wlb50]

That Alfa and Jag are gorgeous! I’ll keep these pics from my daughter, otherwise, that Beetle convertible will be on her Christmas list!

Every time I go there I take pictures! And funny thing, the owner drives a small Hyundai!

 

[CJKaz]

Pulled seats to replace the leather. GAHH covers ready to fit. Ordered a rollbar cover from them as well. Need an upholstery shop to stitch the “fin” onto the new cover.

Convertible top is next, fall of this year. No rush. Work on the hardtop I picked up ($200). Paint to match car & replace headliner.

 

[e-420]

Could you post some pics and the part number? Would be helpful when I need to replace the headliner on my ‘98.

I looked through my spreadsheet for my SL, and unfortunetly I couldn't find the pn for the bracket. IIRC EPC shows it. I'll look through my paper records and see if I can find the reciept.

 

[Pazo]

Attached is a pic of the headliner rear bow clamp taken after front of the headliner is detached, direction front to rear. Model year 1993, P/N is A 129 774 37 33.

 

[Sparking1]

@e-420 Thanks for checking.

 

[OmarHK]

I'm renovating a house in the UK, an apartment in the US and trying to get labour on the r129 here in HK and I can tell you labour costs are through the roof everywhere. Any frame of reference on work even from 12 months ago or pre covid is totally out of the window.

UK is worst (i am feeling like i should move back there and cash in)... but the others are also in the silly money range.

 

[e-420]

Attached is a pic of the headliner rear bow clamp taken after front of the headliner is detached, direction front to rear. Model year 1993, P/N is A 129 774 37 33.
View attachment 2802444

yup, that's the part that makes it easy peasy to remove the headlner to replace/clean etc.

 

[SLSLSLSL]

Installing a vibrant ultra quiet resonator and street power muffler today to replace stock muffler and resonator.
Will post sound clips tonight.

 

[SLSLSLSL]

edit:

 

[SLSLSLSL]

Exhaust guy said it won’t sound good and suggested resonator delete instead and see how it sounds. It’s a nicer sound but still quiet close to stock.
Going back soon to replace rear muffler with just the ultra quiet resonator.
Decided not to do that today since if he was going to hoist it up I might as well buy my lorinser exhaust tips first and do them at the same time.

 

[RadiaGR]

Changed fuel filter today. The hoses were on there so tight i swear i could have traveled cross country with no clamps and would have been fine 😀

First job using Quick Jacks!!

 

[hattie]

I started by replacing the belt line trim and exterior door seal on the drivers door. Then I pulled off both of my door cards, and replaced the door check straps that were creaking. While I had the speakers out I replaced both of them.

Lastly I re glued all the clips on the panels since they were all lose or off. Now my door cards should be nice and tight. When my head unit comes back from Becker I can test the new speakers out!

 

[Sparking1]

Changed fuel filter today. The hoses were on there so tight i swear i could have traveled cross country with no clamps and would have been fine 😀

First job using Quick Jacks!!

How did you like the Quick Jacks?

 

[RadiaGR]

How did you like the Quick Jacks?

So far so good with Quick Jacks. Assembly was pretty smooth and straightforward. No leaks anywhere. Definitely easier than a floor jack and jackstands.