My Veloce restoration nearing completion.

[alfabits]

Here is a shot of the convertible top frame newly powder coated. Next stop is my upholstery shop for installation of a new Robbins top.

Cheers,

George

[alfazagato]

I am just at this stage with the soft top for my Spider. The critical part appears to be the correct spacing of the bars as this affects the shape, profile, of the hood and the way in which it folds. The spring on the first bar appears to be for ornamentation only and the two other move freely in the wind. I did measure the spacing of the bearers before I disassembled but, frankly, I do not have any idea if this was a factory dimension or not. How are you positioning the bars

[alfabits]

At this point I am leaving it up to the expert Andy at "Larry's Upholstery" here in Oregon. I did a top years ago on an Austin Healey and vowed never again. Andy knows what he is doing and is very fair on price. He did my seats and panels on my Veloce. Perfect work!

G

[Subtle]

Guys

I don't know if I can help or not.

My Spider is just back from the shop. With the top up I could measure the distance between the bars.

Let me know.

Bob

[jburning17]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfazagato I am just at this stage with the soft top for my Spider. The critical part appears to be the correct spacing of the bars as this affects the shape, profile, of the hood and the way in which it folds. The spring on the first bar appears to be for ornamentation only and the two other move freely in the wind. I did measure the spacing of the bearers before I disassembled but, frankly, I do not have any idea if this was a factory dimension or not. How are you positioning the bars

[velocedoc]

You know if you got it right when it rains! Did you remember to put some seam sealer under the windshield post caps?

[alfabits]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jburning17 I am just a bit ahead of both of you; I hope to finish up the installation tonight. Here is what I have observed from the process and from talking with the upholstery guy. There is a sleeve on the underside of the top for each of the front two bows. That is the easy part. I am assuming that the top that you buy is detailed enough to have them, and is made to original specifications. Anyway, the middle bow has a stop to it so that it can only go so far forward. When the bow is up against the stop, the top seems to fit about right. The front bow needs to go quite a ways back to fit into the sleeve, but a test fit showed us that the shape of the top is about right when we do that. The back bow took the most thinking. We measured a few times and took a look at the marks on the old webbing. Finally it made sense to us that the back bow need to go on or just next to the seam in that area. When we lined up the bow with the seam, the bow was very nearly vertical. What is more difficult is getting the webbing right. I needs a cut and a re-sew just rear of the back bow. I let my upholstery guy get that right--I would mess it up for sure. I also had to fuss with the lip on the very front of the frame as well as the positioning of the mounting plates in the back. The top frame that I have might have been a little wonky, causing an uneven gap between the metal lip and the top chrome windshield piece. I used an adustable wrench (spanner) set very narrow to gradually bend that lip to get a more even gap across the windshield. I'll know if I got it right later tonight. I hope that helps. Jon

[Marco750B56]

Perfect!

Excelent Work!

Congratulations!

[TKO]

George,

Outstanding, beautiful shots of the competed engine compartment! Can you tell me where you sourced the hose decals, are they from Bill Gillham? Also are the green plugs wires as original and if so are they available?

So now that your car is complete, what are you going to do with your time? I think you will need something else to 'keep you out of trouble'.

Thanks in advance,

Tom

[alfabits]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TKO George, Outstanding, beautiful shots of the competed engine compartment! Can you tell me where you sourced the hose decals, are they from Bill Gillham? Also are the green plugs wires as original and if so are they available? So now that your car is complete, what are you going to do with your time? I think you will need something else to 'keep you out of trouble'. Thanks in advance, Tom

[scargo70]

George;
That is one very beautiful car! the workmanship is truly outstanding...is that the original colour for the ext/int?
thanks
PS..any new pictures?

[lgbalfa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfabits Thanks Jon, as I mentioned I am having this part done by my upholstery guy. I will forward your info on to him when I take the car in. First I have to wait for good weather. For those following this post here are a few new shots of the under-hood details. I have added correct Veloce valve cover nuts; I replated them in a satin clear zinc. changed the hose clamps to the correct type, and added some decals to the appropriate hoses. Cheers, George

[TKO]

George,

Can I ask you about your carpet that you used? I see Centerline offers a Nylon and also a 'Nylon Dense Pile'. Other sources may call it differently as well???

Thanks in advance,

[alfabits]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TKO George, Can I ask you about your carpet that you used? I see Centerline offers a Nylon and also a 'Nylon Dense Pile'. Other sources may call it differently as well??? Thanks in advance,

[alfazagato]

I have just had my Giulietta cab trimmed and carpeted and we have used a carpet designed for marine applications. I suppose that it will float if I leave the hood down.