Shawn Stanford

Good morning.

I recently took possession of an '87 Cab, and I don't have the top release handles. They're stupidly expensive for what they are, and this is nothing like a concours car. So, I'm more than happy to drop the top with a cheap substitute, even something from the hardware store, if such a thing exists.

I've searched the net and this forum exhaustively, but I don't see any mention of a way to release the top with something else.

I can't be the first person to need to do this...

The part number is 91156507561 or 91156507562.

Here's the part. It looks like a socket extension with a plastic handle, but Porsche couldn't just make the end a 3/8" square.




WTF, Porsche?

parkerfe

I found a used pair at DC Auto that fit my 1988 911cab perfectly:
http://www.dcauto.com/

Shawn Stanford

Yes, they have two pairs. To quote myself:

parkerfe

Supply and Demand....the bedrock of capitalism.

oldskewel

I'm away from home right now, so I can't check on my '85 to see what they are like. They look like a 3/8" square, but actually trapezoidal, is that right?

One thing I can add that might help you invent a solution is that although they are designed to be removed when not used, I don't think I ever removed mine, even when I'd put the top up and down (stays down all the time now). So maybe if a 3/8" extension fits over it with room to spare, you could plan on some JB Weld or some similar filler to make it a permanent tight fit.

Shawn Stanford

That's how they are for 86+. Prior to that, they were round rods with small posts protruding near the base.

That's an interesting idea. I know someone who says he has sets, so I'm going to go look at them on Saturday. I have no idea what he's going to ask. But, I want to get some measurements so that could be machined out of a billet. I figure that's got to be cheaper (but I could be wrong).