Thank you for this video, massive help in getting my Spider hood fitting properly. Not for the feint hearted. The latches will be very stubborn against the front rubber gasket. I ‘stood them off’ on 4mm ally plates shaped to fit under the latch fixings. That really helped. The tightness of the hood isn’t that much of a factor although it seems impossible at first. I used a length of ratchet strap webbing to pull the rear hinged bow against the middle bow. If you do that with the hood latched the rear bow slides over/under the rear window into location. The hood will settle in if you add some heat. Once the bows are glued the rear bow won’t fall back. I used Timebond glue. It’s thixotropic so doesn’t run everywhere. When you glue the bows DON’T pull down on the flaps or you’ll pucker the hood. Good luck.
Lovely work David, and you both disguised the fact that you really need the patience of a saint to do this job as nicely as you both have ha ha! Bless you and keep well 🙏🇬🇧
Thanks to everyone for sharing this valuable information. With the help of this forum and assistance from my son, my wife and the neighbor I bought the car from over a decade ago, we just installed a nice fabric top on my 73 Spider - patience of a saint is an understatement!! I spent about 30 hours total including research - I was pretty anal as I probably triple checked every hole I drilled in the cloth as I had never installed any convertible top before - highly recommend using Weldwood contact cement as it creates a very high strength bond from cloth to painted steel and getting a top with the rear holes (about 20 holes) pre-punched
Wow great job! On My Alfa Spider I use a very soft bath towel and place it over the outside of the rear window when I put the top down. This prevents the plastic window from scratching / abrading against itself.
2:59 You replaced the tensioners with shiny new pieces but screwed the same rusty old nuts on them. $1.47 Lowes has them (8 x 1.25) Project looks great!
Did the back of the top where the rain channel is come with holes? My top does not have them so I need to make them. That part and the cable tensioning still seems confusing to me. I’m ready to give it a shot tho
John P. Many tops don’t come with the holes, which makes it hard. Actually, it’s the hardest part because you only have one shot at getting it right. I’ve had 3 shops refuse to do the install because it’s just too much trouble.
@@cheftush I agree. I think it’s better to pay more and get the right top (with holes). It’ll work out cheaper in the long run, unless you can live with wrinkles, sagging, or a top that is almost impossible to close.
It looks like I’m crazy….there are tiny pinholes just where they should be. I had not inspected closely and had thought there would be holes the size of the studs. At this rate I should have my top done by the car’s 60th birthday!
Great video. I do have a question that draws on your general experience with convertible tops. I have a Fiat 860 Spider (a far lesser car but it has its charms). The previous owner installed a new top. The bow right above the rear window is snot secured to the top and tends to migrate up and down. The top has fabric flaps that were never secured to the bow. I had assumed that the previous owner failed to sew the flaps around the bow but now it think it was supposed to be glued. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Hi James. It could be glued as per the Alfa but it also might be snapped into place like the triumphs do. Two of the bows on the triumph tr6 have snaps riveted to the sides of the metal bows. The the buttons are mounted to the fabric flap and are snapped to the recievers on the bows.
@@cheftush Hey, thank you so much for responding. My fabric flaps have no snaps or any other obvious provision for fastening, which leads me to think it calls for glue. To be clear, it is for the bow that holds the top fabric at its most acute angle, right above the rear window. As the bow fits into the seam, it seems to me that it needs to be tight. I'm thinking that one would glue it tight and then fold and glue down the excess fabric in the flaps. These cars are so old and most have returned to the Earth. No one seems to know much, not to say that there aren't a few guys with opinions!
@@jamesbassett1484 hi James, for what it’s worth, the Alfa Spider rear bar is exactly as you mention…it’s a “ floater bar” and can be positioned where you need it before gluing the flaps.
Hi Dave a superb job you've made of this. I'm about to embark on the same job on my 1990 spider so this will be useful. One question, where can I get the instruction manual you were using?
Hi Dave, - just thinking…- I don’t remember seeing Doc but I was wondering if you were planning a handover video (or will you just keep it private for his benefit?)
I think Doc might prefer to keep it private. I think I’ll just do a wrap of of everything that’s been done to the car since December to get it ready for the transfer. Hopefully, I’ll get a little driving video in there as well and a proper walk around once it’s fully detailed out. Cheers, Tush
@@cheftush I'm working on my own top replacement for my 86 spider veloce and have been using your video and the manual for reference. Would you recommend any specific adhesive for a Robbins haartz stayfast cloth top?
After you got the top installed you referred to it as having a weatherproof seal. I thought to myself, as opposed to a British car whose top is slightly weather resistant.
Lol yes it is! Much more difficult to put on when it starts to rain though! The Alfa is nice as it’s a one handed operation….pull up/push down from the center.
Thank you for this video, massive help in getting my Spider hood fitting properly. Not for the feint hearted. The latches will be very stubborn against the front rubber gasket. I ‘stood them off’ on 4mm ally plates shaped to fit under the latch fixings. That really helped. The tightness of the hood isn’t that much of a factor although it seems impossible at first. I used a length of ratchet strap webbing to pull the rear hinged bow against the middle bow. If you do that with the hood latched the rear bow slides over/under the rear window into location. The hood will settle in if you add some heat. Once the bows are glued the rear bow won’t fall back. I used Timebond glue. It’s thixotropic so doesn’t run everywhere. When you glue the bows DON’T pull down on the flaps or you’ll pucker the hood. Good luck.
Lovely work David, and you both disguised the fact that you really need the patience of a saint to do this job as nicely as you both have ha ha! Bless you and keep well 🙏🇬🇧
Thanks to everyone for sharing this valuable information. With the help of this forum and assistance from my son, my wife and the neighbor I bought the car from over a decade ago, we just installed a nice fabric top on my 73 Spider - patience of a saint is an understatement!! I spent about 30 hours total including research - I was pretty anal as I probably triple checked every hole I drilled in the cloth as I had never installed any convertible top before - highly recommend using Weldwood contact cement as it creates a very high strength bond from cloth to painted steel and getting a top with the rear holes (about 20 holes) pre-punched
Wow great job! On My Alfa Spider I use a very soft bath towel and place it over the outside of the rear window when I put the top down. This prevents the plastic window from scratching / abrading against itself.
Good Tip. I do that on all my convertibles as well.
Beautiful job there. Nice color too.
Nicely done. That nice tight top gives a great appearance.
Great video - thanks for sharing!
Well done both of you. And thanks for taking the time to video it as I know the filming and editing is very time consuming.
A great team effort, congratulations on an excellent job. Kind regards, Richard.
A very professional looking job guys! That rear window is so clear. Lots of bits & bobs with that installation. Cheers
Looks nice and tight. You boys did good!
2:59 You replaced the tensioners with shiny new pieces but screwed the same rusty old nuts on them. $1.47 Lowes has them (8 x 1.25) Project looks great!
Looks as tight and waterproof as a fish's bum.👍😉
I had one like that , same colour and everything
How did you like it?
i got an 86,need to replace the top later this summer..thanks
whatta team! whatta team! 😎👍
Good work guys, I want a t shirt like Elin is wearing,are they available?
Thanks! I think the shirt Elin is wearing was sent to him by one of his viewers/subscribers.
Did the back of the top where the rain channel is come with holes? My top does not have them so I need to make them. That part and the cable tensioning still seems confusing to me. I’m ready to give it a shot tho
Yes, mine came with the holes pre punched.
John P. Many tops don’t come with the holes, which makes it hard. Actually, it’s the hardest part because you only have one shot at getting it right. I’ve had 3 shops refuse to do the install because it’s just too much trouble.
@@dpheaslip yes, I don’t think I’d buy a top without the holes pre punched.
@@cheftush I agree. I think it’s better to pay more and get the right top (with holes). It’ll work out cheaper in the long run, unless you can live with wrinkles, sagging, or a top that is almost impossible to close.
It looks like I’m crazy….there are tiny pinholes just where they should be. I had not inspected closely and had thought there would be holes the size of the studs. At this rate I should have my top done by the car’s 60th birthday!
Great video. I do have a question that draws on your general experience with convertible tops. I have a Fiat 860 Spider (a far lesser car but it has its charms). The previous owner installed a new top. The bow right above the rear window is snot secured to the top and tends to migrate up and down. The top has fabric flaps that were never secured to the bow. I had assumed that the previous owner failed to sew the flaps around the bow but now it think it was supposed to be glued. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Hi James. It could be glued as per the Alfa but it also might be snapped into place like the triumphs do. Two of the bows on the triumph tr6 have snaps riveted to the sides of the metal bows. The the buttons are mounted to the fabric flap and are snapped to the recievers on the bows.
@@cheftush Hey, thank you so much for responding. My fabric flaps have no snaps or any other obvious provision for fastening, which leads me to think it calls for glue. To be clear, it is for the bow that holds the top fabric at its most acute angle, right above the rear window. As the bow fits into the seam, it seems to me that it needs to be tight. I'm thinking that one would glue it tight and then fold and glue down the excess fabric in the flaps. These cars are so old and most have returned to the Earth. No one seems to know much, not to say that there aren't a few guys with opinions!
@@jamesbassett1484 hi James, for what it’s worth, the Alfa Spider rear bar is exactly as you mention…it’s a “ floater bar” and can be positioned where you need it before gluing the flaps.
@@cheftush What kind of glue is called for? It is an older but still serviceable top so I am not to worried about making a misstep.
@@jamesbassett1484 is it cloth or vinyl?
Hi Dave a superb job you've made of this. I'm about to embark on the same job on my 1990 spider so this will be useful. One question, where can I get the instruction manual you were using?
Hi Gino, Centerline Alfa has the top installation manual.
Great job, you sports car addicts! Lol
Zoom zoom !
Cheers
Hi Dave, - just thinking…- I don’t remember seeing Doc but I was wondering if you were planning a handover video (or will you just keep it private for his benefit?)
I think Doc might prefer to keep it private. I think I’ll just do a wrap of of everything that’s been done to the car since December to get it ready for the transfer. Hopefully, I’ll get a little driving video in there as well and a proper walk around once it’s fully detailed out. Cheers, Tush
14:43 What about adjusting the tensioning cables? I can't find anyone to actually show me how to adjust those things?!
Dave what adhesive did you use for the top?
Hi Jim, we used a heavy duty solvent based contact cement.
@@cheftush
I'm working on my own top replacement for my 86 spider veloce and have been using your video and the manual for reference.
Would you recommend any specific adhesive for a Robbins haartz stayfast cloth top?
After you got the top installed you referred to it as having a weatherproof seal. I thought to myself, as opposed to a British car whose top is slightly weather resistant.
Exactly 😉
the TR3 top is WAY easier ---------not as good but easier.
Lol yes it is! Much more difficult to put on when it starts to rain though! The Alfa is nice as it’s a one handed operation….pull up/push down from the center.