Top Flaps

[DJThom]

Hello All:

my top has a flap on each side with velcro on it that looks like it should wrap around and attach onto the vertical chrome part of the cantrail. There is no corresponding velcro on the cantrails or signs there might have beens some glued on in the past.

If I wrap the flap over the cantrail, I can't get the top to stretch far enough forward (because it obstructs the seam from tucking into the trough behind the chrome piece running along the top of the cantrail). It I ignore it and tuck it between the cantrail and top it blocks some snaps, which also doesn't seem right.

It is confounded by some pictures of the original car that I was given when it was still in the UK where you can see the flaps in place but I have pictures of other cars without it.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

thx
Darren

[RotoFlexible]

Darren,

I don't know if this is a mod that was introduced late in the S2 cycle (unlikely - was Velcro even invented then??) or a previous owner's modification (possible) or something that came with an aftermarket top (I'm betting on that), but my S2 never had any flap like that. There are just male snaps on the vertical face of the cantrail and corresponding female snaps on the edge of the hood, err, top. Also, my cantrails don't have any chrome trim - there is just the thin aluminum drip rail. Hope this helps...

[frearther]

Mine is also as Andrew describes. Nothing on the cantrails to accommodate the flap. I have an aftermarket top, but it fits just fine, and all the snaps and other fasteners line up. So perhaps you also have an aftermarket variety top (hood), but one not quite what your car requires.

[types26/36]

Same here......no flaps......no chrome bits ......no velcro

[DJThom]

Thanks gents. I shouldn't have said chrome, it is the driprail as I was corrected on.

I figured it was some modification or aftermarket, but the sewing job is quite good, so probably was some aftermarket product.

I shall razor them off with glee and get my hood/top sorted out so I can venture farther from home...

[RotoFlexible]

I shall razor them off with glee and get my hood/top sorted out so I can venture farther from home...

If your Toronto weather is anything like our recent and projected New England weather, you will need a working top just to venture out of your garage Good luck with the surgery.

[CBUEB1771]

unlikely - was Velcro even invented then??

Andy,
you perked me up on this one as my former employer, Foster-Miller, developed the current manufacturing process and equipment for Velcro. I also wanted to post something new to keep Gary and Beau interested. The idea was conceived by George de Mestral in Switzerland in 1948. The US patent was awarded in 1952 and the trademark registered in 1958. Manufacturing in the US began somewhere in the later 1950s by a weaving process. The current molding process was developed in 1979. So Velcro could have been used originally on the S2 but it seems not. An anorak (complete with Velcro) posting. As John says "I'll be getting my coat and leaving now".