Zagato Convertible Top

[pbarick167]

My convertible top is supposedly original, but it needs replacing. It seems to be a vinyl, but the replacements that I see talk of a cotton-type material. Anyone know about the right original type and a good place to get it?
TIA,
Paul B'79 Zagato - Auto

[DJ]

Try here.

http://aabestco.com/

They sell original style vinyl tops as well as more expensive fabric ones. FWIW, Best is also the company that makes the OEM tops for Jeeps and also sell some really excellent aftermarket tops for Jeeps and many other cars. They are based in Broomfield, Colorado, near Denver.

I just got a new, unused one from Allen Lofland for my Zagato. It matches the hardtop pattern perfectly and looks just like the original.

Regards,

[Gregory Smith]

I also installed a top from them, but settled for the cheaper one. Very thin material for the most part and the side tensioning strap pulled out of the rear seam. I fixed it, so now the other side pulled out. I guess I should have purchased the more expensive version. It does look really good though, and matches the targa grain like DJ says.

On a side note, has anyone ever seen a hard version of the rear window? Seems to me I've heard of one. With my 2 1/2 year old in the back I hardly ever have that window down.

[Jim Keller]

The Robbins brand top is the only exact original I have seen over the years in all the various tops I have installed on Zagatos. The grain is exact, the edges are all hand rolled and bound perfectly, there are no exposed seam stitching to leak, the material is a perfect weight, they install simply and perfectly without a lot of hassel, I have never had one of their straps pull out, they last a very long time and look simply excellent on the car.
Draw back is they are the most expensive top, (with exception to the "everfast" cloth types that do not look good on a Zag) at around $300. IAP sells them. Last time I checked, they were actually less expensive buying them from IAP than straight from Robbins on the internet.
I personally will never install any other top on one unless it was going on a beater Zag.

Finally, I can post again to this site! anyone miss me?! ha ha

[pbarick167]

Thanks all. My car is in good shape, so I think I will go for the Robbins top. I too, heard it was excellent quality.

[SubGothius]

FWIW, I've considered the idea of a hard rear window (prolly scratchproof-treated polycarbonate for lightness?). The trick is, due to the way the top folds, it would need to be hinged across the middle somehow, unless you made it a slip-/zip-in insert somehow (which would be fussier to raise/lower the ragtop). I can imagine a two-piece hard window with a narrow band of cloth across the middle, allowing for a fold... I also know of the existence of hard tops for the Zagato, tho' have never seen one in-person; at least, Brian Long's Lancia Beta book depicts a Zagato/Spider with one such top installed...

BTW, I attached a lanyard to my top frame, so I could raise it easily from the driver's seat. Just loosen the passenger-side ragtop latch on the top/forward bow, slip a 1"-wide nylon-webbing strap under the baseplate of the latch, then screw the latch back down securely to clamp the strap in place. Next, I want to put a snap cap on the end of the lanyard and corresponding snap stud on the interior somewhere (either between the rear seats, or possibly attached to the exposed trim screw securing the passenger-side rear trim panel), so the lanyard will always been in easy reach and never flap around at speed.

[Jim Keller]

If you look at the early Ford Mustangs, they have a split fold glass rear window in their tops. It looks like basically clear tape at the seam but I am sure it is something of a little higher quality! ha ha
I have seen a few Zagato hard tops for sale around. Some women contacted me about a year ago with one that needed some work but she wanted WAY more than it would be worth, I seem to remember her wanting around $2K for it.