dhc905

So mine is broken. I have the ability to buy a used one for 2K. I checked it out yesterday and it's definitely in decent condition with just a couple scrapes; back window is in good condition.

I called Parts Heaven (which isn't far from me) and they have some for 2.8K. Is the part really 6K new from Porsche (that's what I'm seeing online for OEM parts) - minus the back window, which goes for another 2.5K?

Should I be jumping for joy for finding one for only 2K???

dhc905

Also, does a 993 top bolt onto the 964 frame?

g60pops

What exactly is broken on yours?

dhc905

The bow, I think. Just behind the driver side there's metal protruding through the canvas. I haven't unlatched the top from the transmission yet to try and raise it manually, but my plan is to do that tomorrow to fully triage the problem.

g60pops

Once removed the broken side bow can be welded.

LPMM

^^^ This, have the bow welded and then choose either a 964 or 993 style top to replace the old one.

dhc905

Interesting; but I've read that having a top recovered costs between 1-2K and is a total PIA?

If so, getting a new (not welded) top for 2K seems like it's kind of a bargain, no?

dhc905

So yeah, it's pretty broken:



Driver side



Passenger side

I tried moving it up to no avail since both of these rods are sheared off and when trying to raise it, they flail around. Structurally, I think it would be hard to get a weld done, but definitely not impossible. That said, the canvas is still torn on both sides. I think the back window is actually in decent shape.

The dead top should have some value, right? Someone who broke something other than what I broke wanting to just swap them out?

hamah

Other than the bows there is really only the latch motor gears and the lift motor-to-transmission cables (they get shortened over time) that go bad. I think if the canvas/plastic is in good shape and all the parts that typically go wrong are in good shape that $2K is a very reasonable price. I paid $1500 for new latch motors (rebuilding them with gears from Vertex didn't work out for me) and that was a bargain. Around here those motors go for $1500 EACH!

dhc905

Unfortunately he's keeping the latch motors off his top. He's sold one of them already for $700, and I assume he's going to take the other off. I'm not sure if mine work, but I assume they do (can I test by pressing the convertible up button and actuating the buttons for each to see if they turn?

Also, has anyone come up with an alternative to this? I'm not thinking hard top because I know those barely exist, but maybe rollcage with canvas? Making sort of a targa top?

If I sold my actuator motors, could have some dough to invest in such a thing

On iPad so can't link, but thinking along the lines of the Boxster Spyder that came out a few years ago.

Edit:

dhc905

g60pops

Hardtops are available from d.moris in France

dhc905

Anyone here ever buy one from them? Any idea of the cost? I've lobbed in an email to them...

I still like the idea of the Spyder concept; I figure I can probably run with it if there was a roll cage that fits the convertible. I did a quick search and here in the US there's Kirk Racing which can set up a roll cage for about $500. I want to make sure everything I do is reversable, but I figure I can probably setup a canvas sheet that runs the length of the interior over the roll bar to the windscreen?

I know the Spyder has a cool moving top and the canvas is basically just cosmetic, but still think this is possible and possibly not totally moronic?

LPMM

D. Moris' stuff is top notch but not cheap (~3,200€ IIRC) and shipping would be a killer. If you want to got the Spyder-ish route look into the Rennspeed Speedster Hump, it would be a good start and it could look decent if done right. The other option would be to find someone to weld your bow, get some new fabric, and turn your top into a manual one. My top is manual with Targa windshield latches and it works like a charm.

dhc905

Damn, and I looked into a Strosek one and they're 1. Crazy expensive (but not that the convertible top isn't) and 2. I definitely still want a convertible top of some sort; just one that works

This is sort of funny - it seems like a PITA to reattach the spyder top (skip to 1:50):