Shite soft tops

[chaseracer]

A Panther De Ville without ADO17 doors?  Gotta be worth a look...

 

http://jalopnik.com/5963083/for-135000-you-gotta-be-cruella-to-be-kind

 

 

Maybe not.  Eleven XJCs died for this?

[brownnova]

Nova soft top ftw!

[John F]

I haven't driven an F yet, but I have driven a 1.5 litre X1/9 and an 1.8 litre MX5 (mark 2.5).

 

The Fiat felt VERY light and nimble, but also fragile in a way that only an old Fiat can. I was hugely reluctant to lower the electric windows because I had no confidence they'd go back up (they did, though). There was a faint whiff of fuel from the carburettor. All in all, 1970s/80s fun in a very small package.

 

In contrast, the MX5 feels like a normal, modern-ish car. I expect everything to work, and it does, Handling is very good, speed is more than adequate. It feels better made than the X1/9, and probably is. In fact, it's better than the X1/9 in almost all regards. But it just doesn't have the same 'old sports car' feel, and they've never entirely lost the hairdresser image.

 

So, in time-homoured AS tradition you should ignore all this and buy an MGF. Or a diesel Merc estate. Or a Scammell Explorer.

[Rusty Pelican]

If you want a floppy top with no redeeming features whatsoever then a MK6 Escrot in canvas top flavour should fit the bill nicely 

[Mr A Lawrence]

Jaguar S type

 

 

TR7

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[richardmorris]

I'm amazed that those jags doors will open without the whole thing collapsing in a heap.

 

I think my X1/9 feels very well put together- no rattles or squeaks and everything works ( albeit slowly with the passenger window). I had it up to a three figure speed recently in France and it does get rather too light and floaty around then. They are underrated still and always will be probably, but that means you can still buy a hand built mid-engined Italian sports car for a couple of thousand.

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

The sills on an XJ40 are massive things - they don't fall to bits if you cut the roof off, as the 'Daimbach Phaeton' demonstrates. The only other work done on the car after the roof was cut off is to cover some of the sharp bits up with rubber. I remember the You tube video of this - it drove perfectly well

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I actually think this looks good - until the close ups...

 

 

 

 

[Taff]

I haven't driven an F yet, but I have driven a 1.5 litre X1/9 and an 1.8 litre MX5 (mark 2.5).

 

The Fiat felt VERY light and nimble, but also fragile in a way that only an old Fiat can. I was hugely reluctant to lower the electric windows because I had no confidence they'd go back up (they did, though). There was a faint whiff of fuel from the carburettor. All in all, 1970s/80s fun in a very small package.

 

In contrast, the MX5 feels like a normal, modern-ish car. I expect everything to work, and it does, Handling is very good, speed is more than adequate. It feels better made than the X1/9, and probably is. In fact, it's better than the X1/9 in almost all regards. But it just doesn't have the same 'old sports car' feel, and they've never entirely lost the hairdresser image.

 

So, in time-homoured AS tradition you should ignore all this and buy an MGF. Or a diesel Merc estate. Or a Scammell Explorer.

 

Tricky to put into words but I think you're close. The F is a modern, everything works and I get the impression it will put up with all manner of abuse and keep grinning. And I thought it was a sports car until I drove the X.

My X feels like a bit of a primadonna in comparison. Great fun, handles beautifully, looks very sharp but it feels much more of a partnership, like it's relying on me to maintain something & not to fuck it all up.

 

I've just read that back, it doesn't make any sense to me & I typed it. Oh well, I know what I mean.

 

FWIW, I don't think either of them are actually shite...

[richardmorris]

I think I know what you mean. A friend of mine has had an mgf from new and she loves it. But it's a bit ordinary compared to my X1/9. Also she ignored my warnings when she said she was having to top up the coolant!

 

The X1/9 was Agnelli's everyday car at the time and drove at break neck speed across Turin to evade the kidnappers.

 

I trY to drive it with flair and panache- and with Matt Monroe singing " on days like these" on the iPod!

[Taff]

Flair & panache. I'll remember that

[Brian Damage]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why do I think JFK when I see these? 

[Brian Damage]

I briefly drove my ex-girlfriend's MGF just after she bought it new.  I thought it was great fun, but the scuttle shake, squeaks, rattles and untoward noises reminded me of my old Spitfire MkIV, albeit with the engine noise coming from behind your head.  I's definitely have one, though.  Sadly, I don't think they were ever sold over here

[Alexg]

Mot until 2016

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MGB-Roadster-MOT-overdrive-100-solid-sound-just-needs-repaint-trimming-/111716852701

[Mr_Bo11ox]

306 soft tops look nice and are cheap as chips

[chaseracer]

^^ Now THAT'S the kind of Morris Oxford convertible I want to see at shows! 

[Asimo]

 

No one has mentioned these.  

 

Which on reflection is hardly surprising. I can barely remember anything about the one I just sold after 4 years.

 

Nothing wrong with it**, just not sharp enough to be worth the hassle of two seat soft-top no luggage space.

 

**handbrake useless, eat rear tyres

[purplebargeken]

My MGF's must have been terrible as I had no scuttle shake, rattles or squeeks. The sound of the engine on song must have drowned it all out

[Taff]

Fred, any pics of your MGF yet? You must have bought one by know, surely

[New POD]

If you want to go down the classic route a Spitfire would be a  worthy contender. They cheap enough for a not-so-mint example, parts are plentiful. They're decent allrounders.

 

They are and always were shite.

[babydriver]

Pillock is that a yellow Dutton in the background? A mate of mine built one with a Rover v8 autobox. Twaz an animal. Does the Saab really bend in the middle like what they say on tv. I know Golf does as I've been in one of those. I really want a soft top, I likes my Frenchies so may go Megane.

[Junkman]

Did someone say shite softtop?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1964-Corvair-Monza-convertible-/321810030799

 

Oh, and 1964 was the best year of EVAH.

[D Spares & Tyres]

Just done 300 miles in my MGF VVC this week with no probs.

 

Not shite at all

 

Ultimate shit soft top would be Citroen Visa 4 door convertable

[Pillock]

Pillock is that a yellow Dutton in the background? A mate of mine built one with a Rover v8 autobox. Twaz an animal. Does the Saab really bend in the middle like what they say on tv. I know Golf does as I've been in one of those. I really want a soft top, I likes my Frenchies so may go Megane.

I'm not exactly sure what it was, but it was a vague Lotus 7 replica and the owner was proud to tell me we shared oily bits. Well, the cars did. I'll dig more pics out.

 

The Saab does wibble a bit in the middle yeah, noticeably more so than the F. It's about 60ft longer though so understandable. If you want to spend a few hundred quid, there's a brace for the steering rack and another six-armed brace you can lob under the engine onto the subframe. Neither will make a jot of difference if the bulkhead has "done a Vauxhall" and split.

[PiperCub]

If you want a floppy top with no redeeming features whatsoever then a MK6 Escrot in canvas top flavour should fit the bill nicely 

 

I was going to suggest that! They are truely terrible cars to the extent that if someone gifted you one for free, you'd still feel cheated.

 

MX5 Mk2's are good value,  any cheap Mk1's will almost certainly need a fair bit of welding. And MGF's are as cheap as they'll ever be right now and always worth a punt.

 

Pug 306 dropheads are (IMO) stylish & seem cheap too but do attract the 'Modifier' types so avoid those ones.

[Taff]

Just done 300 miles in my MGF VVC this week with no probs.

 

Not shite at all

 

 

I do 300miles every week in mine and your right, it's not even remotely shite. Didn't stop me bidding on another one at the weekend

[Pillock]

 

Here's that girly yellow thing that some bloke parked next to my manly testosterone-fuelled F

 

Good shout on the 306. I reckon they look bob on, plenty of non-messed ones. Roof failures seem quite common on the cheapie eBay ones though.

[alfetta]

MX5 Mk2's are good value..

 

Yes, but they have rot (hidden) on the chassis rails too, (double skin) something mk1's don't usually suffer. So check them carefully

 

Many Mk2's seem to be scruffier and rustier than cared for mk1's. I see plenty of MK1's with zero rust, but you will pay a premium...

[Sloth in a bowl]

From GM's posting in the news 24 thread, this could be yours for £375*

http://www.u-pull-it.co.uk/trade-vehicles/mazda-121-1990/26863755-0

 

 

 

 

*warning, could be fucked beyond all reason