help needed to differentiate 2600 hardtop from 2000 hardtop

[benicia 2600]

I undertand that a 2000 hardtop does not fit a 2600(the curve in the back being different) is there anyway to tell from the tag number or from specific differences which one is which. Help greatly appreciated....
Herve

[twoliterlover]

I can tell by seeing them, even without trying them. But I can't describe to you how I know. There are two types of two liter tops -- earlier one with a flatter rear window, and later one with a bit of wraparound. The later one looks a bit like it could fit a 2600 (and might with a bit of grinding), but the 2600 top has a more vertical rear window (and a longer expanse of top front to back) because it was designed to allow someone to actually sit in the back seat (if that someone had no legs, I suspect) If you wish, I could go out to check the Touring numbers on the various ones. I have three for two liter, but only the one for 2600. I suspect the higher the number the more apt to be a hard top for a 2600. I didn't believe anyone in California would ever want a hard top. Why are you looking for one? John Mendenhall bought a two liter top from me for the one you just purchased, but gave it back when it did not fit his 2600. You are right. The two liter tops high center on the rear deck and you can't get both sides down at the door edges. I got it back when it did not fit right. It is now on a two liter in Denver. John never liked the shape of the correct one I had for his car. He thought it was too "square". Jay

[ShadeTree]

I searched the web and found a few photos that may, with Jay's help, answer your question.

2000 Touring Spider


2000 Touring Spider


2600 Touring Spider


2600 hardtop (resembles above hardtop) or late 2000 based on Jay's description? Listed for sale here for $3720.25

[coolhorse]

What year and model is that red car? Its beautiful!

[benicia 2600]

Thanks brad for the very nice shots. I wonder if anyone has specific measurements for this tops , or if there is a way to differentiate them from the numbers on the tags?
H

[ShadeTree]

The 2000 Touring Spiders were built from 1958 to 1962 with only 3,443 produced in that time. What particular year the above Spider is, I have no idea.

[Touringspider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShadeTree The 2000 Touring Spiders were built from 1958 to 1962 with only 3,443 produced in that time. What particular year the above Spider is, I have no idea.

[IRONBLOCK]

Arno has a good eye for detail to notice the larger rear view mirror (through the rear window) in the first photo of the red roadster. Some of the '59's came with the smaller 'black chrome' mirror with the bevelled glass edge (like s/n ...00310 sitting in the garage here). The hard top on the red car is the early 2000 top with the flat rear window like Jay described.
The black hard top (series 2?) shown in the photo exactly matches one hanging from our garage ceiling (with the exception of 11 years worth of dust!). It fits a 2000! Our hard top did not come on the car but was ordered about one year later, after the style changed.
We had a '61 (s/n ...01844) with the larger rear view mirror on the long stalk; it was more functional (for taller folks) but not as nice to look at. Mark

[twoliterlover]

You still have the premier two liter in the country, Mark. Welcome back to the Bulletin Board. These hard top differences are hard to identify without actually trying the tops on cars. Touring originally matched the hardtops to specific bodies they made, so I suspect the Touring tags affixed to the inside rear edges of the tops must have somehow been related to the Touring tag on the firewall of the car. However, I only ever had one combination of car and factory fitted top, and when I sold the car I kept the top. I also kept the neat wood Nardi steering wheel and the "around the block" fairings. I noticed a photo of a two liter "Parish plastic" top somewhere recently. They don't fit all the way back to catch the top hooks, and sit on the rear lip of the well opening. At least two black ones exist since I purchased two of them new at the same time (made a playhouse for my teeny kids from one of the crates). I sold one immediately, and the other after getting the one I now have on my favorite car. So I know at least two of them must be out there somewhere. I also remember trading a steering box for one. Although I have (besides the one on my Avatar car) two other factory two liter hard tops and one 2600 top there is no glass in any of those. Frankly, in Seattle a hard top makes good sense.

[DPeterson3]

I've got a plastic top that came with my project, but haven't developed any energy toward restoring it as yet. Car first. Not sure of the manufacturer, but it does extend all the way back to the 3 hooks on the poop deck as a way of holding down the back. Structurally, it seems OK if flimsy, but all the rubber and trim is gone, so will need a total re-work. The only distinguishing feature is one I haven't seen on other tops, being an odd sort of rearward-facing scoop just above the rear window. It isn't open to allow air in or out, so is just a design element.

Northern Nevada is not Seattle. If it's raining it's probably too cold to drive this car, otherwise it's sunny and dry. It may be a while before I start on the hard top.

[alfa123ca]

Don, does your hardtop look like the one on Ruedi's car in this link?
http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/1900...top-photo.html

[DPeterson3]

123,

I'll go take a look tomorrow and take a few pics. Not sure from what I could see on the referenced link.

[IRONBLOCK]

Jay said "the premier two liter in the country"; did anyone else catch that? Thank you Jay but I would not go that far. There are so many really beautiful two liters out there and many of them are on this site! I admire those who have taken a project car and lovingly restored it. Mr. Lawson, the original and previous owner kept the car for the first 40 years and he is responsible for the cars condition.

Would anyone out there have an excellent 'original condition' "early model" two liter hardtop (like the one shown on the red two liter above (but in black)) to trade for a similar condition "late model" two liter hardtop (just like the $3,720.25 black hardtop sitting on the garage floor, above); if so, would you please let me know? mwstro@bellsouth.net That way this early '59 Alfa would have the 'early' top and presumeably your later model Alfa would have the 'later style' top with better rear visibility and head room for your passenger "(if that someone had no legs -lol)". Not looking for a project or to sell; only trade.

I am sorry for so many recent posts (doubled my two year post count this week); my bass boat motor is blown and my OCD is showing. See Green Alfa 164L in Classifieds to help me recover...

Bass regards,

Mark

[DPeterson3]

Here are a few pics of my hardtop. It seems to be like Ruedi's, but I can't tell from his picture whether the reverse scoop is open to let air out, or just an architectural element as on mine. My top strikes me as being from an early era in fiberglas manufacturing, when they were busy exploring all the nice smooth and complicated shapes they could make rather than anything structurally sound. The attachment brackets in mine are crude pieces of angled aluminum with holes drilled in them for take-up bolts.

Warm sunny drives with a tonneau should preclude the necessity of using this top.

[tubut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPeterson3 Here are a few pics of my hardtop. It seems to be like Ruedi's, but I can't tell from his picture whether the reverse scoop is open to let air out, or just an architectural element as on mine.