Thinking about a Beetle Ragtop installation

phoenix_dr Commited Dubber

64 posts · joined Jul 2010 · 12 Dec 2010, 10:25 am

#816631

Hi all,

In the midst of repairing my beetle (cutting welding sanding, repeat, repeat, repeat).

I'm contemplating installing a ragtop and was wondering if anyone on here has done the job themselves and, more importantly, where they sourced the parts from.

If you have undertaken this job;

Once the job was finished what problems, if any, did you encounter? Eg: Leakage, splitting, etc.

I've drawn a lot of inspiration from the fine example below
http://www.manxgallery.org/gallery/album95

if anyone knows of any other sites/ magazines, or repair shops around the Sydney area that have done this job, that would be really helpful also.

Cheers in advance guys n girls

"So... when will the bug be finished?"

HA, better question: "will it ever be finished?"..

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 12 Dec 2010, 11:25 am

#816637

First you need to find a rag top

There are 2 sorts
1) Golde
2) Britax

The Golde is more structural and requires a LOT more work to put in. Basically it is welded in and you would need to respray the roof
The Britax is cut and clamped in. Guessing you could cut one of these in a finished car with out too much damage to the paint work.

Finding either styles is not an easy job

Futue te ipsum!!!

phoenix_dr Commited Dubber

64 posts · joined Jul 2010 · 14 Dec 2010, 1:09 am

#816830

Finding either styles is not an easy job

That seems to be the case from what I'm reading... Sadface

Ideally i love to do a golde type weld in one but that would mean cutting one out of another bug...I could be waiting a looooong time for that to happen.

Do you know of any aftermarket companies that make them?
I know of Britax and webasto, are there any others? not cheap stuff but decent German, UK or American companies
(This seems like a silly question, But there has to be something out there)

"So... when will the bug be finished?"

HA, better question: "will it ever be finished?"..

kieranweston Commited Dubber

62 posts · joined Sep 2010 · 17 Dec 2010, 9:11 am

#817249

phoenix_dr wrote:
Finding either styles is not an easy job

That seems to be the case from what I'm reading... Sadface

Ideally i love to do a golde type weld in one but that would mean cutting one out of another bug...I could be waiting a looooong time for that to happen.

Do you know of any aftermarket companies that make them?
I know of Britax and webasto, are there any others? not cheap stuff but decent German, UK or American companies
(This seems like a silly question, But there has to be something out there)

Hey this place seems to do pretty reasonably priced kits http://www.slidingragtops.com with the $ the way it is they look pretty decent, not sure if they deliver to aus though

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 17 Dec 2010, 7:40 pm

#817303

"For a factory looking Volkswagen Beetle Sliding Ragtop Sunroof, mold our ragtop kit in with body filler and paint the roof!"

I would want to see one in persone before I parted with the folding stuff

Futue te ipsum!!!