Big fan. I am working on a 1980 fiat 124 spider 2000. I have broken it down completely and there is sooooooo much to repair. Love your series and it is a great reference for me. I really appreciate your work.
This was the best video, I bought a 1980 [3 years ago] with the top removed and a new top in a box, this video is so detailed that I'm sure I can do this . I love that you show every step . Keep up the good work!!
@@tytmac I don’t have them anymore unfortunately, but I’d give them a call. They could help you! Just mention you see it in my video so they can help you better.
I don’t but I got it at my local fabric shop. Joanns I think. It’s a duck fabric so it’s much stronger and rated for the higher traffic use. More durable and thicker. You can feel the difference between the cotton and this.
The process was very straightforward, but I bought a car that they were starting to part out, but it was only missing the top. My car is an 81, but the frame I got with the car was from a 76. I was told that only the header was different and I could simply order the 76 top and everything else is the same. The top came, but seems to be about 3 inches short and the front clamp holes are in a different location that the connection at the windshield. Where are the adjustments made? I did refurbish the frame as it was missing bolts. The operation is smooth, but the canvas comes up short in the back. What would you suggest?
I would measure the gap between the latch holes. Earlier cars had a smaller gap, and later ones had wider. That should give you a good starting place of what year you have.
Nice, how do you connect the cable on the top of the rear quarter window. Took my top off, it never had cables! Still had the string. Thinking not to hook that cable on the window as the old hardware there is very hard to bend
It could be a straightforward installation process…but then again, it could be not…especially if the glue used is not sticking. One of the crucial things to do in the process is to make sure you hook the cable on the inverted hooks on top of the triangular glass windows…to do this I believe you have to slit open the top at the right place and retrieve the steel wire and hook it. Not the easiest to do. But it all has to do with the overall tensioning and proper fit of the top.
I recently purchased a 77’ - whenever I open my convertible top, the cloth part detaches from the body of the vehicle (at 16:25 is the step I’m talking about). How do you get it to stay even when it’s not closed and tight (glue, clamps,etc)?
@@Movie-Juice I reviewed the section you were talking about. The back bow that attaches to the car? There should be several small screws that hold the bow to the car once it’s fed through the convertible top. Could yours be ripped? It tucks under the plastic part so if it is weak material glue could be a solution.
Im working on a 1980 Fiat 124, is it the same as yours even though it’s a different year?? Im still in Highschool and it’s my first project car Im very new to cars and I’m learning the car piece by piece, do you have any advice?
First thing I recommend is getting a good shop manual. That has everything you would need in it. Your car is just like mine. After 1979 they went to fuel injection which is what we have.
@@GarageTimeTV mine looked the same when I tried to close the top in 38D weather , the old isenglass was not up to the challenge, a shame as my cloth top was in pretty good shape ... my metal hinge frames are rusted in spots and missing the plastic covers I have held the remaining plastic on with ... yep duct tape... I thought I could replace the isenglass with top on the car ... nope the top has to come off...and if the top comes off a new top goes on... spent $30 for new isenglass which I will save for my boat canvas
@@GarageTimeTV that piece that slides in the back and hooks up to the metal. I’m going to attempt to put my top on the 70, so I been watching your video a few times, but it will be a little later yet
@@goodllookin1722 if I remember correctly the plastic elbows were included. I’d touch base with Vicks to verify though when you place an order, just to be sure
So in watching your video, I’m installing my top, but my cable is to short, plus I was told there a eye tab that you run your cable thru then you attach to the tabs, I’m not seeing the little eye tabs that you ran your cable thru / I got my top from Vic, so I’m not sure why mine to short, I be callin them tomorrow ALSO, do the plastic curve piece ever come in the top, I checked mine and it looks like there one inside. It a Robbin top, is that possible there one in already,
Awesome! You pulled the trigger on the new top! Looks great.
Big fan. I am working on a 1980 fiat 124 spider 2000. I have broken it down completely and there is sooooooo much to repair. Love your series and it is a great reference for me. I really appreciate your work.
This makes me so happy! Thank you for your support and good luck on your project!
This was the best video, I bought a 1980 [3 years ago] with the top removed and a new top in a box, this video is so detailed that I'm sure I can do this . I love that you show every step . Keep up the good work!!
That is so kind!! Thank you!!
Can you provide the part numbers used for the cables, L-Shape plastic pieces, and the seal/trim? I can’t seem to find them on Vick’s website.
Thanks!
@@tytmac I don’t have them anymore unfortunately, but I’d give them a call. They could help you! Just mention you see it in my video so they can help you better.
@@GarageTimeTVthanks!
What kind of glue did you use for the bows ?
I used gorilla glue spray adhesive. I’ve also had good luck with 3M spray adhesives as well
What kind of adhesive did you use to glue the top frame to the vinyl top?
I used gorilla spray glue. Loctite also makes some too. Just make sure it can remain flexible
Also, do you happen to know what size rivets you used? Having a hard time getting the exact size
@@chaoticpoo96 I don’t actually. I had a pack of random sizes so I tried a few to find the best fit. Sorry!
very good video! Minute 12:30 which material is that? do you have a link where you bought that?
I don’t but I got it at my local fabric shop. Joanns I think. It’s a duck fabric so it’s much stronger and rated for the higher traffic use. More durable and thicker. You can feel the difference between the cotton and this.
The process was very straightforward, but I bought a car that they were starting to part out, but it was only missing the top. My car is an 81, but the frame I got with the car was from a 76. I was told that only the header was different and I could simply order the 76 top and everything else is the same. The top came, but seems to be about 3 inches short and the front clamp holes are in a different location that the connection at the windshield. Where are the adjustments made? I did refurbish the frame as it was missing bolts. The operation is smooth, but the canvas comes up short in the back. What would you suggest?
I would measure the gap between the latch holes. Earlier cars had a smaller gap, and later ones had wider. That should give you a good starting place of what year you have.
Nice, how do you connect the cable on the top of the rear quarter window. Took my top off, it never had cables! Still had the string. Thinking not to hook that cable on the window as the old hardware there is very hard to bend
It is more of an assistant than anything else and guide the top up. You have to feed it all the way through the back towards the front.
@@GarageTimeTV thanks
It could be a straightforward installation process…but then again, it could be not…especially if the glue used is not sticking. One of the crucial things to do in the process is to make sure you hook the cable on the inverted hooks on top of the triangular glass windows…to do this I believe you have to slit open the top at the right place and retrieve the steel wire and hook it. Not the easiest to do. But it all has to do with the overall tensioning and proper fit of the top.
THANK YOU!!! I have been looking for a good Video for this!!
Of course!
I recently purchased a 77’ - whenever I open my convertible top, the cloth part detaches from the body of the vehicle (at 16:25 is the step I’m talking about). How do you get it to stay even when it’s not closed and tight (glue, clamps,etc)?
@@Movie-Juice I reviewed the section you were talking about. The back bow that attaches to the car? There should be several small screws that hold the bow to the car once it’s fed through the convertible top. Could yours be ripped? It tucks under the plastic part so if it is weak material glue could be a solution.
@@GarageTimeTV thanks for the response! I’ll check mine and let you know if it’s ripped.
Im working on a 1980 Fiat 124, is it the same as yours even though it’s a different year?? Im still in Highschool and it’s my first project car
Im very new to cars and I’m learning the car piece by piece, do you have any advice?
First thing I recommend is getting a good shop manual. That has everything you would need in it. Your car is just like mine. After 1979 they went to fuel injection which is what we have.
@@GarageTimeTV thank you
@@adenmercado1564 of course!
@@GarageTimeTV is mine a 2000?? I’m can’t seem to figure that out
@@adenmercado1564 yes. After 79 they went to a 2.0L engine, hence the 2000 name
rear window damage looked vandalism with a boxcutter
I think so too! Way too clean of a cut
@@GarageTimeTV mine looked the same when I tried to close the top in 38D weather , the old isenglass was not up to the challenge, a shame as my cloth top was in pretty good shape ... my metal hinge frames are rusted in spots and missing the plastic covers I have held the remaining plastic on with ... yep duct tape... I thought I could replace the isenglass with top on the car ... nope the top has to come off...and if the top comes off a new top goes on... spent $30 for new isenglass which I will save for my boat canvas
Quick question, I recently bought an 81 fiat spider and the drivers side window doesn’t go all the way to the top. What can I do to fix that?
There is an adjustment you can make inside the door. I have a video where I fixed mine and I show those adjusters
The plastic piece come with the top ?
Which piece?
@@GarageTimeTV that piece that slides in the back and hooks up to the metal. I’m going to attempt to put my top on the 70, so I been watching your video a few times, but it will be a little later yet
@@goodllookin1722 if I remember correctly the plastic elbows were included. I’d touch base with Vicks to verify though when you place an order, just to be sure
@@GarageTimeTV I have a top here for my 69, so I was just wondering, but I do need one for the 70 . Thanks
So in watching your video, I’m installing my top, but my cable is to short, plus I was told there a eye tab that you run your cable thru then you attach to the tabs, I’m not seeing the little eye tabs that you ran your cable thru / I got my top from Vic, so I’m not sure why mine to short, I be callin them tomorrow
ALSO, do the plastic curve piece ever come in the top, I checked mine and it looks like there one inside. It a Robbin top, is that possible there one in already,
Yes, have patience. 😁
Hi my brother you doing good jap man I like your video bro keep going I meak subscribe for you
No one ever shows the small details of installing anything, why is that
Well if we show every single step, the video would be very very long. What specific thing were you looking for?