soft top question

It might be possible to glue in a new window. I did that once in my MGA (when I was too poor to afford a new top). Try finding a shop that makes/repairs boat tops. I have found they are more willing to do custom work. Convertible top shops usually only want to install a new top (which may still be your best solution - how old is the top anyway?)

I have seen some spiders with a broken rear window and a new one glued in place. They IMHO all look terrible. I think this has to do with the problem of finding a glue that accepts the plastic window. New tops are not that expensive, most vendors on the Internet have'em.

Some Can Do

I've had two successful window replacements (on the same top) done by top/upholstery shops in the past. One in Long Beach CA and one in Texas. They leave the old one in and sew they new one in on the inside and then carefully cut out the old one. The top has to come off. It's quite servicable. That said, it's now time for a new top this next time.

Frank,

Call Richmond Upholstery 802.434.3888. He is on Main Street in Richmond, Vt and does superior custom work. Explain to him the situation. He may be able to source the rear window for you also.

You will have to bring the car to him in the spring to confirm the work, but if he can do it, reserve the time slot now otherwise you may never get a time slot for 2008.

-Rob

I see that ezsofttops.com sells tops with a zippered rear window. This seems like a great feature, if the window split or became cloudy it would be very easy to replace.
Maynard

azmaynard said:

I see that ezsofttops.com sells tops with a zippered rear window. This seems like a great feature, if the window split or became cloudy it would be very easy to replace.
Maynard

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, it is not necessarily easy to replace... The zippered windows do not zip out, as they are attached (sewn) at the bottom...

Best regards,

How well do the zippered windows seal? I've thought about one of those for those very hot sunny southern days ('69 no AC) where you want the sun off but you do want some better ventilation.

Anfanuts said:

How well do the zippered windows seal? I've thought about one of those for those very hot sunny southern days ('69 no AC) where you want the sun off but you do want some better ventilation.

Click to expand...

I've never had a zippered top, but I did have a Spider with no window. It was really nice, and that's why I consider myself "experienced" in this topic... From asking 2 people who have had zippered windows on their Spiders, I understand that they don't leak, and there not any noisier than the regular top.

Best regards,

Thanks, Something I'll consider. B

The zippered tops are great; had one on an MG and I've got one on an (still uninstalled) top for my Alfa. The extra ventilation is remarkable and welcome when the sun is just too vicious for top-down driving.

dcalfa,
We got stuck once coming back to SoCal from the Monterey Historics some years back (Alfa was the marque) down the sunny San Joaquin Valley, Paso Robles, etc. when it was in the high 90's. Top down - broil, top up - stifling. Has happened many other times. Texas is not exactly the Callie coast. Where did you get the zippered top. Two inquiries I've made so far yielded NA. tks, B

Good luck trying to replace the window, but it's my guess that you're not going to get acceptable results short of replacing the top.

Another reason to store your car with the top up. The plastic windows become brittle as they age. If it's cold at all, flexing the window can easily crack it. Been there, done that.

I bought mine, a black cloth top, on eBay from Topsonline.com. I think it was about $330, with zippered window and cables. Good service, rapid response (they actually sent me a non-zippered top by mistake, but immediately corrected it).

thanks every one for the info frank

Recently, I installed a top with a zippered rear window from TopsOnline and I am very happy with it. It doesn't leak, it is easy to operated, and it is well-built. An added bonus to the zip-down window is that, when I put the top down, I can unzip the window and let it lie down in the area behind the seats before I fold the top up. This way, the window doesn't fold in the middle.

I think that Biba Restorations has this kind of hood. They are located in CA. They are great for Spiders and have restored loads of Duettos.

Restoration of 50's to 70's Alfa Spiders

Very good alfista.

Thanks all, Sounds like I know what Santa is bringing this year!