ragtops where and which ones?

kenfyoozed · #1 October 3rd 2003, 17:51

ok i want that open air driving but dont have a vert. i want to install a ragtop. who makes a good one. i know street beat customs sell ones for vw. has anyone used these or had any dealings with these folks?

also, will a rag top hurt the integrity of a beetle. i know when you cut the top completely off the belly sags. but is a ragtop ok?

neil

vujade · #2 October 4th 2003, 10:08

first off a ragtop will not effect the structural integrity of your roof.
your not cutting away any of your frame, just thee interior metal of the roof.

zen · #3 October 4th 2003, 10:22

do NOT buy an aftermarket ragtop. everyone i have checked with has had problems. buy a factory roof that has been cut out (~$500) and have it cut in (~$300). that is what i did. check it out here .

kenfyoozed · #4 October 4th 2003, 10:39

wheres the best place to find one, so i can keep my eye out for one.

neil

zen · #5 October 4th 2003, 10:42

got mine from my paint/body guy. not sure where you are located. you will need to check everywhere...

ebay
junk yards (unlikely)
body guys
swap meetings (most likely)
online classifieds

kenfyoozed · #6 October 4th 2003, 10:48

im located in mobile, alabama. ill check around.

neil

zen · #7 October 4th 2003, 10:55

my body guy was charles overton in tallapoosa, ga (5 miles this side of alabama. check with him at overton's resto. also check with lindy at herrell's bug parts. lindy has several cars around.

kenfyoozed · #8 October 4th 2003, 11:12

my bug is a 71, do i need a year specific roof, or is any year ok?

neil

vujade · #9 October 4th 2003, 11:40

any year should be ok because they ar enot going to use the whole roof, just the sunroof section.

bugjamin · #10 October 21st 2003, 15:31

I just bought one and had it put in after finding out that everyone that gets an aftermarket one hates em. I bought mine from a guy in WI that had about three other ones that were in really nice shape (350.00), it had all the parts needed even the old cloth, really old but nicely done. I had to drive out and he only took cash but he had a lot of other parts that might make it worth the trip.

Let me know if you are intrested, I can give you his information.

bpfur@prodigy.net

Bgujamin

webs1302s · #11 October 23rd 2003, 13:59

I bought the whole top on ebay for $200 then drove over to CA to pick it up. Cut out what I needed and welded it in. Here are some pictures...

http://www.matt71.com/beetle4.html

webs1302s · #12 October 23rd 2003, 14:05

By the way. I bought a top from Streetbeat a year ago and promptly sold it. What a POS. There was no way I was going to cut my top and install that rickety hunk of crap. They are a few miles from my work so I drove down there and tried to return it. No way. It was a custom item so there was no refund. Lesson learned.

cbenitah · #13 August 8th 2005, 18:51

I know this is an old thread but i'll give it a new shot.. What is so bad with aftermarket rag tops? Also if i go with just a roof section from an excisting one, do i need to chop the roof and is it possible to get the "porsche" lean to it? Larger window in front and smaller in the back.. thanks for any advice.. I DO want a rag top on my -73.. (oh i saw the luft-waffe) and he has a ragtop on his 1303, anyone know what he used? Since it looks like he used a stock roof and cut a hole...
thanks Cris

Uber Affe · #14 November 14th 2005, 22:30

I'm wondering all the same things and doing all the same searches. LEt me know what you find out...I'll do the same!

cbenitah · #15 November 15th 2005, 01:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uber Affe

I'm wondering all the same things and doing all the same searches. LEt me know what you find out...I'll do the same!

sorry... i gave up and sold it...

Got myself a Porsche 914.. got everything allready, ragtop(targa) and EVERYTHING else.. good luck

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