Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: marti on January 01, 2007, 21:29:01

Title: who sells the best soft top?
Post by: marti on January 01, 2007, 21:29:01
Happy New Year to all.  It's been a while since I've posted.  My car and I are doing great. I driver her everywhere and as often as I can. She is a little touchy in the cold and opening the trunk can test the pope's patience!  I drove her to Newport Beach over Christmas and got lots of stares and honks--yes..I've even got comfortable on California freeways...

Since I didn't get any diamonds, nor a new kitchen for Christmas..my goal for the next year is to replace the softop on my 63 230sl.  I have been reading up on the old posts but can't seem to narrow it down.  I have found some on E-bay, but I'm leary of going that route. If you purchased a soft top recently and are happy with the quality can you let me know where you purchased it from?  Is there anything I should know in advance when replacing the top on an older SL?  

Thanks

Marti
1963 230sl
560sl

Mpotter
Title: Re: who sells the best soft top?
Post by: Douglas on January 01, 2007, 22:01:49
Hi Marti,

I think GAHH is a very popular choice. I've heard only good things about their product.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA
Title: Re: who sells the best soft top?
Post by: mal on January 02, 2007, 03:36:00
Hi,
I have used a  GAHH top on my blue pagoda and another make recommende by KK Manufacturing on the white /Gray one. The GAHH softtop is by far a better fit and much better quality

Malek Mrowa - Beirut, Lebanon.
280SL 71-Light Blue/Blue
280SL 68- White-Gray/Black
250SE 66 Convertible-Silver/Red
190SL 61-Ivory/Red
220S  58 Cabriolet-Two Tone: Burgandy&Creme/Tan
Title: Re: who sells the best soft top?
Post by: al_lieffring on January 02, 2007, 08:33:17
quote:
Originally posted by marti
Is there anything I should know in advance when replacing the top on an older SL?  


Marti

The earliest 230sl have a different top frame and cover than later ones.
The early top is tacked to a wooden strip in the rear bow above the rear window and the seam is covered with a chrome strip.
On the later models the rear bow is all metal and the top is attached to the rear bow by gluing a fabric strip around the frame, and there is no chrome strip on the outside.

Al

66 230sl
113-042-10-014715
904/396 blue, Ivory Tex
condition: not-as-rusty-as-before-bucket
Title: Re: who sells the best soft top?
Post by: rwmastel on January 02, 2007, 09:12:28
While shopping around, talk to:

Will Samples at S&S Imports
Gernold Nisius at SL Tech

They can sell you top material, and also tell you what's good and bad quality.

Contact info:
http://www.sl113.org/data/show_table.asp?table_name=usr_parts_and_service_suppliers

Don't forget that you might possibly have to recondition the top frame itself before (while) replacing the top fabric.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420
Title: Re: who sells the best soft top?
Post by: Markus on January 02, 2007, 11:22:18
I just had an Electron Top installed in October that was purchased from Will at S&S Imports it is a superior top, fit, finish and quality.
Title: Re: who sells the best soft top?
Post by: Douglas on January 02, 2007, 12:03:00
Actually, Gernold offers a pretty neat service -- if you ship him your soft top frame, he'll strip off the old cover, restore the frame mechanism and install a new cover. It can all be done long-distance.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA
Title: Re: who sells the best soft top?
Post by: Tom Colitt on January 02, 2007, 15:03:31
German Auto Tops Inc. in North Hollywood, CA is great. He supplies the interiors to many of these guys.

Tom
ClassicAutosLA

Tom Colitt
Title: Re: who sells the best soft top?
Post by: sjiatrou on January 02, 2007, 20:41:50
I have a question about frame restoration/maintenance:  I asked a local restoration shop about replacing the top on my 1964 230sl and he recommends powdercoating the frame during the process.  Has anyone had this done (or heard of having it done) and what are the advantages/disadvantages?

Thanks!
Steve

Steve Iatrou
Seaside, CA
1964 230sl roadster
White (050)/Black (116)