I am a new Alfa owner. I was fortunate enough to be able to start out with my dream car - a 1967 Duetto. I have had the car since mid summer and have enjoyed cruising with the top down. The more I open and close the top the more I think it has been changed from its original form. The front rib on the top assembly is not attached to the frame - it is held in place by a cloth sleeve attached to the top. It seems like the rib should be attached to the frame. Can someone post a pic or two of their top frame so that I can compare? I will take a picture or two of my frame and post it soon.
I just joined alfabb today, but I would like to say that I have been reading posts for several years and and have learned quite a bit from everyone. Thank you.
Sorry it took me a while to get the photos posted. If anyone can post photos of their Duetto's top for comparison I would appreciate it. Thank you.
Tom
Your car is correct. The front rib is attached to the frame. It is attached by those two twisted steel straps, one of which is shown in your first photo.
Thank you for confirming that the top is correct. I should have been more clear when I said the rib was not attached. Do you have any difficulty with that rib when you are opening and closing your top? It rubs against the side of the frame when I open and close the top. Thanks.
Tom
There are supposed to be two elastic straps which pull the front rib back when you lower the top, so I'm told. My car doesn't have them either, and it's definitely necessary to push the rib back as you lower the top, otherwise it tends to bind. Is that the behavior you're experiencing?
That sounds like the issue I am having. I have scrapes on the side of the frame from the ends of that rib. They are visible on the pictures I posted. What else are the straps attached to? Thank you.
Tom
The elastic straps are not necessary at all unless you feel compelled to "one hand" it from the driver's seat which is not advised. I have had one since 1975 and ALWAYS get out to carefully lower and raise it going from side-to-side several times, but especially on lowering, you need to pleat fold the window and top material so it does not get pinched. A pool noodle and soft small blanket keeps the rear window from getting pinched and scuffed. You especially need to pleat fold the top where that "twisted" strap compresses against the top. And also undoing the Velcro and folding the material so it does not get bunched under the folded side bars as the double over. Once you are out, you do not need that redundant elastic strap. And it helps to be out to put the boot on. . . . .
There are a couple of good threads showing resto of various top frames and the bumpers. Also, some say the tops came with side cables in a pocket to stiffen the fit of the sides from bowing out. I put these on when I did my resto. You are missing the rubber bumpers on the ends of the floating bow.
There are a couple of good threads showing resto of various top frames and the bumpers. Also, some say the tops came with side cables in a pocket to stiffen the fit of the sides from bowing out. I put these on when I did my resto. You are missing the rubber bumpers on the ends of the floating bow.
Thank you for the helpful comments. Would you be able to describe the rubber bumpers or post a picture of them? Are they little rubber discs? Any idea where I could find a set? Thanks you.
Thank you for the suggestion. I was just pushing from the front and not moving the floating rib until it got caught up. I will try pushing it back while opening the top.
Tom
and this one. Most of the pictures are missing. I'm going to try and fix it. A properly restored top fram should be fairly effortless to open and close.
I also used electrical appliance rubber feet until I sourced some new bumpers from an Alfisti who made a batch and sold them. Jeremy I recall? The pics in Osso's links show mine and some others. I did a frame resto and top replacement 5 years ago. Rebushed the middle pivots but still some sag. There are other threads that show other aspects of the top such as the handle and hold down strap.
The "floating bow" sits in a sleeve so it comes up by itself when raising the top. As such, I have no idea why they call it floating as it is captive. When lowering the top though, the elastic straps might help pull the "floating-captive" rod back, but I always find I still need to hand fold and pleat it and keep the top from pinching. As well as the pother manipulatiuons I cite above. That makes the elastic strap redundant.
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