Bimini top

[sujitroy]

I have a few soft top frames in various states of repair. I'm thinking of making a bimini top for my Stag. (Another one of my never ending side projects) I have a spare front and side rails. I have got various documents from various folks on how to assemble the soft top and cover, but I don't see anything on how to stop the material being cut by the top edge of the front rail? What do I need to do?
Sujit

[richardthestag]

design it, prototype it, correct issues and then make final item

Seems a logical order

[MikeParker]

I have a few soft top frames in various states of repair. I'm thinking of making a bimini top for my Stag. (Another one of my never ending side projects) I have a spare front and side rails. I have got various documents from various folks on how to assemble the soft top and cover, but I don't see anything on how to stop the material being cut by the top edge of the front rail? What do I need to do?
Sujit

I think a bimini top is a great idea. Spending some time in 30C plus temperatures there is a dilemma about top up or down, Top up saves you from the sun, but the normal black mohair top gets very hot and getting the heat out is hard. Top down with black interior both you and the internal surafaces get unpleasantly hot. I do open the rear window with top up, but the ideal would be a light coloured cover and a completely open rear, i.e a bimini. You just need the option of closing the rear when you leave the car.

Having fitted a new top myself, i don't think there is anything special about the top front rail. The material just wraps rounds and is held in place by the seal-holding u-shaped steel section.

[singapore stag]

Some lady done one on a TR.......may be inspirational

image.jpeg

" I ordered a yard of auto convertible top material on EBay and the 10 Tenax fasteners from Moss. Useing the convertible top from the car I made a pattern for the front edge that connects to the windshield. I then measured how wide I wanted it on the rear top frame brace and cut the sides. I installed the Tenax fasteners and fastened the front to the windshield and stretched it tight back to the frame and figured out the pleat on each side to allow the material to lay over the curve of the frame. I sewed the pleats and cut the excess material off and then folded the edges about 1/2" cementing them down before sewing a nylon ribbon binding all around the edge. Putting it back on again I marked where the rear frame brace met the top. I then sewed Velcro hook and loop to the rear so it can be wrapped tightly over the rear brace and fastened with the Velcro. You need to have the rear brace attached to the 2" webbing for this to work. I now have the best of both worlds. The Bimini top keeps the hot sun off our heads but it is still open 360 degrees to give an open air experience with the sounds and wind that makes a convertible so much fun. It goes on and off easier and faster than the convertible top and takes less space in the trunk. I tried to find the guy mentioned in the 2018 post but his website is down so I don't know if he is still doing these. I think any upholsterer would be able to make one if they have your car and a top to start with for the front edge pattern. "

[Phil S]

It's another job on my get around to list. I also have a spare front rail that I will use. I made soft tops in the past so it will be a copy what's there and adapt to suit. I plan to use sticks between the front rail and T bar similar to the tr 4-5 surry top as I want it to fold and fit in the boot. This will probably mean making a rail to fit onto the T bar that fixes with velcro straps. Just got to put the plan into action when the other 4 hobbies allow time.

[Rigid]

I assume you intend to use a front hood rail including locking handles for the front bit, the hinged side channels and perhaps a velcroed bar around the rear of the T-bar.
Instead of velcro perhaps a hook arrangement, ie fit the hook bit first and then pull the bimini top down to lock into place.
Any thoughts on where to store it?

On a vaguely similar note has anyone ever seen a full length fabric tonneau cover - as shown in the Rimmers catalogue - in the wild?
I had one in my Spitfire and Herald but never thought of one for the Stag.
Note, not sure if you need to add front pegs and side press-studs to make it work.

[DJT]

On a vaguely similar note has anyone ever seen a full length fabric tonneau cover - as shown in the Rimmers catalogue - in the wild?
I had one in my Spitfire and Herald but never thought of one for the Stag.
Note, not sure if you need to add front pegs and side press-studs to make it work.

This is what Rimmers state in the description for their full length tonneau covers. I too would be interested in knowing what these are like in reality. I see Aldridge also offer these and, judging by the photos on both websites, I am guessing they are the same items.

40310BB4-80BD-4834-AE73-2EB83D345FDB.jpeg