TOP ON TOP OFF

[Hanzies Bird]

Re: TOP ON TOP OFF

We live in Panama City Beach Florida. We have a 'Neiman Marcus' black bottom, silver hard top bird. We have to leave the silver hardtop on all summer to keep the heat out, then remove the hardtop in October for the winter. We have the top down alot during the winter months. Kind of backwards don't you think?

Have a great day,

George (aka Hanzie)

[RareOldBird]

Re: TOP ON TOP OFF

Once Dean & Will arrived it took all of 30 seconds to get the top off & in the rack. I took some pictures but can't upload them. What's the problem with the gallery? Any way good news & bad news. After getting the top off I found the cover for the top inside the well but the bad news no soft boot. I guess I have to call CarMax & have them contact the previous owner to find out its whereabouts. Also no signs of mylar tape on the deck. Never had any seal problems with the hard top. Now I'm off to get some stuff for the rag top.

[jerrym3]

Re: TOP ON TOP OFF

Rare old Bird

You will find that removal is a snap. Installation requires a lot more care, especially when trying to line up the four attachment points.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: TOP ON TOP OFF

the bad news no soft boot. I guess I have to call CarMax & have them contact the previous owner to find out its whereabouts. .

The soft boot was an optional item and some dealers did not know you had to order it, so some cars do not have one!

Look here if you need to buy one.
http://www.thunderbirdconcepts.com/softboot.htm

[redbirdsal]

Re: TOP ON TOP OFF

John, I don't think that's the one you meant to show him. That's the aftermarket vinyl travel boot.

I'm pretty sure he'll need to go through a Ford Parts Shop. We have several vendors on this site who will give you a discount RareOldBird.

[RareOldBird]

Re: TOP ON TOP OFF

Thanks guys for the soft boot info. I don't think I'll get the soft boot anyway. I'm looking to get a hard cover like the one offered by Thunderbird Concepts the Hard Roadster Tonneau. It looks great & fits in the trunk. Seeing the Bird with out its retro Hard Top is taking some getting used to. Those port holes add that extra something the crowning Thunderbird touch if you will. My wife says she misses it too but now I'm kinda getting used to the rag top. It's 5 AM I think I'm the only member online. Watching the weather report. Next day off is Thursday sunny & 80 degrees. YES!!! Oh it looks like Bruce & Gobird are early birds too!!

[R-Bird]

Re: TOP ON TOP OFF

The hard top came off within minutes of arriving home from the dealership in 2002. As we park the car inside for the winter, there is really no need to put the hard top on, so it just sits in the rack. If the weather is bad enough that even the soft top needs to be up, it just isn't bird weather!

Two weeks ago it was sunny and +10 degrees Celcius (around 50 F), but then it turned cold, as low as -30. Right now it is -17C and we have 8 inches on snow on the ground. At this rate, the bird will have to stay parked for a while.

[RareOldBird]

Re: TOP ON TOP OFF

Keith what you describe sounds like Jersey weather. That's why we moved to Florida 17 years ago & why Birds fly south for the winter.

[My T]

Re: TOP ON TOP OFF

We Floridians of sound mind and common sense will be enjoying our birds top down this weekend with 3 and maybe 4 days forecast to be in the 80s and sunny. Ah yes, the good life! ( I don't even own a hard top - no need here). These mild weather days put me in the mood to begin planning for a Spring cruise for us Central Floridians.

[RareOldBird]

Re: TOP ON TOP OFF

Tom I have 3 points to make regarding your great post. Number 1 you can bet that all of the bird owners here in warm sunny Florida will be joining us in going topless this weekend & we are looking forward to that first top down ride. Number 2 If you plan that cruise Jan & I would like to take part & Number 3 I love the way you have your gallery set up. I see it comes from another site. I think offers much more then old gallery we used to have. Since we longer have a gallery option here maybe you could look into it being available to all members. Thats it for now. We'll be on the lookout for your red bird this weekend. Happy Crusing!!!

[jawill2000]

Re: TOP ON TOP OFF

Top is on so's the Ford T-bird cover and the battery minder is hooked up. Hard to believe that JWBIRD will have its 4th birthday Mar 4th, still only a little over 6000 miles on her. I plan to take her out for a trip to the Boston area Sunday Mar 12th weather permitting.

[Kangacay]

Re: TOP ON TOP OFF

We just purchased or Bird Feb.15th and being in TN the weather has been rotten (cold) except for a few days. I think it will be topless time next week and then it will stay off. In reading this thread it seems to me a hoist may be the thing to have.

[RareOldBird]

Re: TOP ON TOP OFF

Bob that was the reason I started this thread to give the new bird owner like myself the views of seasoned veterans of tackling the Top On Top Off issue. Lots of members gave their insight & shared some great ideas. Hope some of these help you make the decision thats right for you. My wife took the bird to work today & I have to show her how to put the top down when she comes home. Drove it for the first time sans top on Wednesday. Nothing like a covertible especially a TBird. Good luck with her & happy crusing.

[Kangacay]

Re: TOP ON TOP OFF

Thanks RareOldBird. It is nice here in TN today and a friend is coming over so the top comes off today. Myrna and I love our new Bird and can't wait to get a little wind in the hair. BTW I moved back to TN after living in Satellite Beach FL for more than 26 years. I sure miss the warm weather.

[RareOldBird]

Re: TOP ON TOP OFF

Bob I hope by now you & Myrna are part of the top down set & that all went well . Now that we have the gallery feature back you can view some photos from the hard top removal. Since you are Bird owners maybe you should consider a move back to Florida to enjoy more top down weather.