Storing for winter: Hard top or soft top?

[Vt230sl]

Hi,

Just inherited my W113 from my father-in-law and will be storing it for the first time this winter. I just had a new soft top made and was wondering if it is better to store the car with the soft-top stored and the hard top on, or leave the hard top on the rack and keep the soft-top up. It will be stored at an indoor (but not heated) public auto storage place in Vermont. TIA.

[Hans2012]

I would store it with the soft top raised - it will help keep the soft top stretched and make it easier to raise and lower.  Good luck.

John

[Vt230sl]

Thanks, John. That was my guess - it was tight just having it down in the boot for a majority of the summer.

[ChrisInNashville]

While stretching might be good, I prefer hard top on for the occasional drive…but then, I’m not in Vermont

[lreppond]

I agree with Hans2012.  Not only will the top material be stretched properly, but the plastic window will flatten out and have far less creasing over time. Additionally with a little finessing, you’ll be able to get the two back corners to lay flat against the storage boot.  You can find hardtop covers from several sources to keep it dust free while it’s stored.  For these reasons, I seldom have the hardtop mounted whether or not the car is being stored.

[Garry]

I also agree that the soft top should be left up and hardtop stored.  I only put my hard top on if i am putting the car into a workshop to ensure dust etc does not damage the material so if you are storing it with soft top up, suggest you cover car in something luke a flannel sheet or similar so that you don’t end up with hard to remove dust into the cloth soft top material

[stickandrudderman]

Also make sure you fill the fuel tank too.