Soft Top

[amalgamated users from prior forum]

Message originally posted by: Stu Brown
I'm interested in fitting a soft top to my Berli. I seem to have a few options:
1. Find a second hand one. Probably not going to be very successful since I hear that the soft top that Alex Tulloch recently advertised got snapped up.
2. Make one: Anybody got any plans for the frame and hood ?
3. Get someone else to make one: Marlin have given a rough quote of 350pounds + VAT and delivery. Anyone else interested ? - we might get a discount for bulk.
David Hobbs is also after one.
Thanks. Stu.

[amalgamated users from prior forum]

Re: Soft Top

Message originally posted by: Sue Roedel (MOC Editor)
Hi Stu

Marlin said a while ago that if they got enough (6, I think) orders through they would make up a jig for the frame agian for the Berli soft top. I'm sure there must be 6 or more owners who are looking for a soft top and frame so keep at it. I did put something in the mag a while ago about this but it didn't seem to take off. We didn't have the attention on the forum that we have now so there is a chance that 6 people would come forward. The canvas is way less of a problem as there are a couple of suppliers who have made tops for Berlis and Roadsters so that's the easy part.

Good luck

[amalgamated users from prior forum]

Re: Soft Top

Message originally posted by: Eddie Beattie
You could put my name down for a top, i just need the soft top and not the frame. i am in the process of re -vamping my marlin, but need a new soft top

[amalgamated users from prior forum]

Re: Soft Top

Message originally posted by: Sue Roedel (MOC Editor)
Hi Eddie

You can get a hood made up anywhere - just look for coach trimmers in your area.

Or there is lang and Potter in Plymouth (01752 346346) or David Beswick Coach Trimmers in Derby (01332 343252)

[gouldsborough7]

Re: Soft Top

A slight diversion from original question, but has anyone got a reasonable top with a few tiny holes? Next question is how to seal the holes? I haven't put mine to the test in the rain, but I can see daylight through the fabric in one small area.

I was hoping to find some sort of varnish, brush or spray applied. Maybe a camping supplier might do something in this direction for tents. It would also be nice to improve the overall appearance of the underside.

Any ideas, please.
Cheers
Mike

[dogoncrazy]

Re: Soft Top

Mike
I have tried both Renovo and Fabsil[a silicon based product used for reproofing canvas]with NO success on a Cabrio roof.I didn't have any holes as such,but heavy rain penetrated through to the inside.All I can say is that I wouldn't recommend either.Replacement was a much better long term solution!

[amalgamated users from prior forum]

Re: Soft Top

Message originally posted by: Sue Roedel (MOC Editor)
Ditto. I have small holes in my hood that my Dad, bless him, decided to try to disguise with some goo that just looks bad. Unless you get some patches sewn on, in which case it will start to look like a patchwork quilt, the long term solution is replacement. I am going down this route as the new wheels on my car now show up the poor hood. One thing to bear in mind if you do the new hood thing is to have some reinforced bits put into the weak areas where they rub and cause the holes in the first place. This is my intention. An alternative is to have patches sewn on the inside and you will only then see the stitching from the outside. All contribute to areas that rain can invade though. I plastered Fabsil all over my stictching and the rain still comes in and keeps a steady flow of Chinese water torture down the back of my neck. Nice.

[amalgamated users from prior forum]

Re: Soft Top

Message originally posted by: Sue Roedel (MOC Editor)
PS. If I get a new hood canvas made. My old one will be up for grabs....

[GaryW]

Re: Soft Top

Hi Stu,
A while ago I asked Aquila Sportscars about soft tops for a Berli and they did give me a price. Can't remember the details off-hand but I can find them if you're interested.
Cheers,
Gary

[gouldsborough7]

Re: Soft Top

Another option worth trying is to contact Jill Judd @ www.softbitsforsevens.co.uk based somewhere near Horsham in Sussex.
I am an ex.Sevens owner (Robin Hood), and she made me up a very satisfactory 'half-hood' to fit my car. Although now specialising largely in Lotus 7 lookalike cars, apparently over many years she has catered for allsorts of classic cars. Checking her web-site, it would appear that she does modifications as well. Don't know whether she would entertain a full Berlinetta hood, but might be worth a call.
Cheers
Mike

[amalgamated users from prior forum]

Re: Soft Top

Message originally posted by: Stu Brown
OK. Summary so far..........(25 July 07).
Myself, David Hobbs and Paul Spens are definitely after one if the price is right.
Eddie Beattie wants a soft top only.
Terry at Marlin has quoted around 350pounds + VAT and P&P.
My e-mail to softbitsforsevens bounced.
I haven't contacted Aquila - Gary W, any chance you could follow this up ?
David/Paul - any chance you could follow up with Marlin and firm up prices etc. Can be a bit difficult for me here in Aus. Thanks.
Stu.

[GaryW]

Re: Soft Top

Hi Stu,
Sorry for the delay in replying. The information from Aquila is as follows:

Hood frame £135.00 in stainless steel
Hood £280.00
both prices are excluding VAT and delivery which is £18
That was sent to me by email on 15th March 2007.
Hope that helps.
Gary

[08dents]

Re: Soft Top

Re stopping the leaks. i was getting a lot of rain through my hood on a couple of places on the seams and could see small holes so coated the inside of the seams with a thin coat of clear silicone sealant and the whole of the outside with Thompsons waterproofer (usually used on concrete and Brickwork) I was told of this by a old guy who use to run a couple of very old MG,s and a healy 3000.
and in the small print on the can it does say can be used on canvas. I did it just before the Scotland run and have had no leaks at all since. Car is in use everyday rain or shine.

[gouldsborough7]

Re: Soft Top

I just went out into my firm's car-park to raise the hood ready for a possible shower. Hadn't had the hood up for some weeks, and wondered why it refused to open fully. Just to add to my hood's potential leak problems, on inspection I was more than a bit peeved when I found that a screw I had used to secure the back seat in position had penetrated the rear screen. I had obviously not realised that the screen had dropped down and was pinched between seat-back and body. Kicking myself around the car-park wouldn't solve the problem of the 2 screw-holes at one end of the screen. So it got me thinking about a repair, or even a replacement screen which is not as clear as I would like.

I guess I could get a new screen sewn in by a hood fabricating firm, or even fit a piece of the plastic with press-studs? As a short-term fix, the 2 screw-holes could be plugged with araldite or similar.

Anybody got any ideas on this?
Cheers
Mike

[08dents]

Re: Soft Top

Dont camping/Tent suppliers stock some type of clear plastic repair kits for the plastic windows in the large frame tents and trailer tents that might do the trick.