Ok, so we all know our tops suck down here in the South and all of them will have to be replaced at some point in time. I about had it with mine so I went to the place in Tampa where another forum member went. The pictures looked good but don't do it justice how nice the top actually is. This is how they should have come from the factory.

Apparently, the OEM canvas is a domestic material which the guy at the shop said was crap (and I agree). The German canvas used on this top is a lot softer and is a little thicker than our OEM counterpart. How will that stack up against the heat, only time will tell but the pocket in which the window sits seems pretty secure. It really puts no pressure on the bonding agent to try and hold up the glass like our OEM one does. Also the bonding agent they put on is a little thicker than what is on the OEM glass/top.

Anyway, I'm happy with it, but it'll get kind of steep if you have to do an adjustment like I did. Cost was $1,275+tax plus the adjustment which was $325; total= $1,717 . The reason why mine was out-of-spec was due to my accident last year (see gallery) so there's a very good chance I could get my whole top replaced for free by the other insurance company since my story is the glass separated due to the top frame being out-of-spec, which could very well be, might not have happened as soon.

Props to Classic Auto Interiors - Tampa, FL

nuff talk...here's the pics (bigger and more detailed than the other ones)

 

Looking good. I hope I never have to replace my top but if I ever do, I'm pretty sure I'll be taking a good hard look at the company that did yours.

 

Looks nice. I hope it holds up well for you.

 

i guess i thought they would reuse the existing glass. that is nice with the bigger window area. is that something we could order and install ourselves??

 

Domestic which country - if not Germany? I would have thought that Karmann had a local supplier.

 

They did use the existing glass...it's actually a little bit smaller but not much to hinder your view

I would think 'domestic' being the US or North America...I honestly couldn't tell you but the quality of this canvass is much better than the OEM canvas, IMO. Not sure why they wouldn't use something local...maybe it was a lot cheaper to import it

 

it seemed bigger in the pic. i guess it's just because i feel like i can't see well with the top up. nice top for sure.