Fitting Soft Top to Californian Coupe

[kampala]

Challenger,

Very nice "California" SL you have there - fits nicely with your varied car collection.  Your taste is across the spectrum.  Don't see the mix you have very often.   

Thanks for sharing.

Welcome.

[Challenger_7]

Merci Monsieur

Nice warming welcome and happy you appreciate my collection.
It is a heart filling hobby and as the Mrs. always says, "glad his interest is focused on cars and not Dames" 

Tell me, as a 250 owner, would you recommend I go to fixing a soft top to the car?
My issue is that I love driving convertibles, and if I take this car out without the top, I would always be concerned to leave it opn, and would rather cover it up.
Thats why I am considering installing a soft top to it.
Anyway, worth starting a topic on this issue, if none on the forum.

Cheers
Farouk

[kampala]

Adding a Soft Top to a "California" is no easy task.   I think many have considered it.

If you want to add it and have it look like other SL's with a soft-top compartment and cover, you need to cut the vehicle and splice-in an entire soft-top section from a donor car.   It's quite intense. 

Others have added a soft top without adding the soft-top compartment and the top remains exposed when folded down into your back seat area.   This seems like the way to go if you REALLY want a soft top.  And you would not be cutting your vehicle in half to do it.  You will find some info here if you search converting a California to a soft-top etc.

Others may have links to show how the conversion of adding a soft top without the compartment is done as I recall someone posted the conversion process from the German Pagoda Site. 

Another option I have seen is to use a Tonneau style cover.  Not one that you have to put snaps on the car!  But ones you can tie-on etc.   You can search this and may find some photos here. 

Best,

[Brian in NL]

Funny I should read this string today regarding installing a soft top vs. a tonneau or cockpit cover ... I just ordered a cockpit cover today. I have a soft top, but when touring, rather than put the top up and down each time I stop for lunch or dinner, the cover is (I hope) a quick-and-easy option. It just connects with straps to the bumpers and underside, and keeps the interior free of leaves, bird droppings, etc. Also keeps it cool (I have a black interior, so that's often an issue in the sun). Here's the one I ordered from California Car Cover Co.:  http://www.calcarcover.com/product/629/179/CustomFit_Car_Interior_Convertible_Cockpit_Covers?id=629&cid=179

You might try one of these before considering the expense of a soft top installation. They have them specifically cut for the W113, based on the year.

Good luck with your restoration!

Brian

[Challenger_7]

Thank you "Kampala" indeed for the advise, this has shed good light to my thoughts.
I do not need to cut the car and don't mind the soft top showing when folded down, as opposed to having to cut the car.
Besides, I always prefer to keep my vehicles as original as possible.

I will check the forum, as you advise, and evaluate matters.
I will also check what Brian has ordered.

Thanks Brian, I will check it out.

Cheers
Farouk

[Challenger_7]

Hi Brian, and thanks for your comments and suggestion.

I logged onto the link you sent, and try as I could, I couldn't see a photo of what the Tonneau cover for a Pagoda would look like.
Would you please oblige by attaching one, or a link that takes me straight there.

Thanks
Cheers

[Brian in NL]

Farouk,

I tried the link again and it worked for me.  You might try using a different browser. The link shows six different photos of the cover on different cars (none of them on Pagoda, however).  The covers are custom cut to fit each particular model.  There are two different grades of material you can pick from.

Hope that helps.

Best,
Brian

[Challenger_7]

Aha, so yes thats what I meant.
The Link does work but I could not see a Pagoda sample

Maybe you can post a photo of yours when you get it.

Thanks Brian, appreciated

Farouk

[Brian in NL]

Farouk,

Happy to post a pic, but I won't be getting it until September when my sister brings it over from the states. Had it sent to her to save on the onerous overseas shipping charges. Will be using it on the Group's Italy drive in late September.

Cheers,
Brian

[Challenger_7]

Oh, wow nice.
I bet it will be an amazing drive.
I wish I was nearby to participate.

Anyway no hurry, whenever you do use it, a photo will do.
Hopefully you will post some photos of the drive

Cheers

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hello Farouk and Brian,

Just a friendly note. It is not nice to "Highjack" this tread on a subject not at all related to

~New Members Intruductions~

Please start a new thread related to your subject or communicate by PM on your subject.

I know you both will agree and understand that this thread is too valuable to be highjacked like this.

Now let's get back on subject

Thanks,

Dieter

[Challenger_7]

Absolutely to the dot, Sorry about that, my fault

Or maybe we were testing you to see if you are monitoring 

Cheers