Newbie confused about hardtop vs convertible vs both . . . .

[DaveTravels]

I'm REALLY confused!

I'm looking into buying a Thunderbird. Some of the ads show them as hardtops - Some show them as convertibles, and some of them, show them having BOTH capabilities!

I've called friends, new & used car dealers, etc, and nobody gives me the same answer twice! One person told me that, they were all sold with BOTH, and, some people may have sold off the top separately.

I prefer the look of the convertible, but, the hardtop would be more practical for street parking (when necessary) and winter, so, the "BOTH" option would be best for me.

Can somebody please explain how the "2 TOP" system works on these cars? Thanx!

Dave

[Rosebud]

The Deluxe was a rag top only
The Premium has both tops.
go to portholeauathority for more info

[merlot4]

To add to Mel's post: The top weighs about 88 lbs and unless you have a hoist, it is best removed with two people; some TBirds didn't come with hard tops, and some have had the top sold, but you can also find another top here, or on Ebay, etc., all tops are interchangeable. Some here have more than one top in different colors to change things around, so that's a possibility as well. The top is quite weather tight and completely finished inside. If you look at this forum, Thunderbird Garage, and how to fix it, there is a thread about hot to fit a top if it doesn't seat well. A removed top can either hang in a hoist if you have one, or there is a wheeled cart that came with the car, or can be found second hand at times. Some have made their own. I hope this helps.
And, since you probably have other questions, this may prime the pump for you:
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...of-tbird-stuff

[DaveTravels]

The Deluxe was a rag top only
The Premium has both tops.
go to portholeauathority for more info

Thanx 4 that!

I'll check out porthole when I get a chance.

[DaveTravels]

To add to Mel's post: The top weighs about 88 lbs and unless you have a hoist, it is best removed with two people; some TBirds didn't come with hard tops, and some have had the top sold, but you can also find another top here, or on Ebay, etc., all tops are interchangeable. Some here have more than one top in different colors to change things around, so that's a possibility as well. The top is quite weather tight and completely finished inside. If you look at this forum, Thunderbird Garage, and how to fix it, there is a thread about hot to fit a top if it doesn't seat well. A removed top can either hang in a hoist if you have one, or there is a wheeled cart that came with the car, or can be found second hand at times. Some have made their own. I hope this helps.
And, since you probably have other questions, this may prime the pump for you:
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...of-tbird-stuff

Thanx for all of THAT!

So, even if I buy a model that didn't come with a hardtop originally, I can still buy one separately, and it'll fit easily?

Side note . . . . Funny that you mention it weighing 88 lbs . . . . I just started having some back pain about 5 days ago! Lucky me! :)

[2K2BIRD]

They are all convertibles. The hardtop was a $2500 option on all of them. Used car dealers invariably misuse the deluxe description in their advertising - calling just about all of them deluxe even if they are a premium model.

[DaveTravels]

They are all convertibles. The hardtop was a $2500 option on all of them. Used car dealers invariably misuse the deluxe description in their advertising - calling just about all of them deluxe even if they are a premium model.

So, you're saying that they ALL have the rag / cloth top? So, if a picture shows it with a hardtop, there's definitely a rag/cloth top underneath?

[2K2BIRD]

So, you're saying that they ALL have the rag / cloth top? So, if a picture shows it with a hardtop, there's definitely a rag/cloth top underneath?

Yep, they all have a convertible top. The hard top was an option which most were bought with, but not all of them were. As mentioned, the good news is, even if you buy one without a top, one can be added if you find a used one from a wrecked vehicle or if the owner has just decided they don't need one.

Good luck in your quest to find the right one for you.

[DaveTravels]

Yep, they all have a convertible top. The hard top was an option which most were bought with, but not all of them were. As mentioned, the good news is, even if you buy one without a top, one can be added if you find a used one from a wrecked vehicle or if the owner has just decided they don't need one.

Well, THAT'S interesting . . . Generally speaking, the ones I've been looking at - - the hardtops seem to be cheaper than the convertibles!

[Sealy]

Might as well throw in that the convertible tops came in different colors, as well. Being a Pittsburgher, you may want to stick with a dark top. The light sand option is very good looking, but a bear to keep clean.

[Quickdraw]

Might as well throw in that the convertible tops came in different colors, as well. Being a Pittsburgher, you may want to stick with a dark top. The light sand option is very good looking, but a bear to keep clean.

But the sand color cloth tops only came with sand color interiors... if you see a hardtop that has black, blue, red, yellow, or white seats you can be sure the cloth top is black.

[Rondor]

Well, THAT'S interesting . . . Generally speaking, the ones I've been looking at - - the hardtops seem to be cheaper than the convertibles!

There are things that effect the price more than a hardtop does. There is no better resource for info' than the Porthole Authority..

[Quickdraw]

Ron is correct, here is the link: http://portholeauthority.com/thenewtbird/home02.html

[TommyT]

Hello Dave.I know they say the hard top weighs only 88 pounds.But it feels like it weighs 188 pounds.It's the heaviest 88 pounds I ever tried to lift even with another person helping!! But it's well worth getting one with the hard top.With the hard top on and that sweet port hole window it gives the car a real low and sleek look compared to just the convertible top.

[wcoates]

Hard tops are interesting accessories. Most folks in warm weather climates never have had the hard top on and they sit in the garage just taking up space. Living 65 miles from you, I used the car as a year round car and had the HT on from Nov-March. When the car became a summer driver and I thought I had no use for the top I had a legitimate $1000 offer for the top. Nesters and local friends and family thought I was a lunatic for trying to sell the top. Yes it is a 84# PIA but it's 15 minutes twice a year unless you get a hoist.

As said earlier they were a $2500 option. Ebay currently has three tops for sale. $1200 obo, $600 0bo. The third top is really interesting as it currently was bid up to $430 and is sitting for local P/U in Mandeville LA. What makes that so interesting is it is just a few miles from where 12 or so Birds will be resting on Oct 14 going to the big Teasy event. 50+ cars will be within an easy drive for the top on Sun-Thur. Get ready for a sale TBNers.!!!!!! Using any of the car valuation sites, the HT adds about $500 to the value/price of the car.

I'm driving to NOLA with the HT on or I'd offer to bring it back. Also might be interesting for you to search HT relays as members have gotten HTs across the country using pony express methods. Good luck in your searh. The hunt is half the fun. Consider flying to buy and a long drive/adventure for the right car. Many of us have done that with great stories to be told!