Removable Hardtop for 1994-98 Mustangs??

[97Cobra]

Hey All,

I recently purchase a 1997 Cobra Conv. :woot:

Anyway, I learned that in 1995 they were available in with a removable hardtop as an option. Unfortunatly, it didn't seem to stick.

Does anyone know if there are any aftermarket ones around? I think there were less than 500 originally made, so a used will probably be hard to find.

Also, if I were to find one, anyone know if I would have to modify my 1997 much to use it?

Thanks a bunch for any info/help!
~Erik

[cobrabitn]

You can modify one but it most likely would look tacky. The 95 Cobras have a special dowel pin hole that accepts the hard top. No other year Cobra has that therefore the top's dowel pin would have to be cut or modified to work. I saw someone who had a top for his GT, it was bolted up on the inside of the car and didn't have clean lines like the factory one. (That's a nice way of saying it didn't look right cosmetically)

They discontinued the removable top option because they would leak, so why would you want to have a leaking top? Just curious? :doubt:

[97Cobra]

You can modify one but it most likely would look tacky. The 95 Cobras have a special dowel pin hole that accepts the hard top. No other year Cobra has that therefore the top's dowel pin would have to be cut or modified to work. I saw someone who had a top for his GT, it was bolted up on the inside of the car and didn't have clean lines like the factory one. (That's a nice way of saying it didn't look right cosmetically)

They discontinued the removable top option because they would leak, so why would you want to have a leaking top? Just curious? :doubt:
Hmmm ... that isn't what I anticipated hearing ... now wonder they dropped the hardtop if it didn't hold out water ... course, I imagine it could have been fixed. Anyways, thanks for the info, always good to hear these things, and not like I want to take a drill to my Cobra ................

~Erik

[Zedoc]

Hey, 97Cobra, how do you like your '97 Cobra 'vert'? How's the traction in the rain? Would you rather have gotten a hard top than a convertable?

I see your reply to my other post. How do you get a car for $4000 below KBB? It wasn't that one out of Nebraska that I just mised out on, was it? WIth 8000 mi?Below KBB retail or buyer to buyer? So, like, how many miles and how much was it? Black or red? Tan or black. Come on now, you've got to tell! You've got me so upset!:bounce:

[97Cobra]

Hey, 97Cobra, how do you like your '97 Cobra 'vert'? How's the traction in the rain? Would you rather have gotten a hard top than a convertable?

I see your reply to my other post. How do you get a car for $4000 below KBB? It wasn't that one out of Nebraska that I just mised out on, was it? WIth 8000 mi?Below KBB retail or buyer to buyer? So, like, how many miles and how much was it? Black or red? Tan or black. Come on now, you've got to tell! You've got me so upset!:bounce:
Hey Zedoc,
Well ... I have had the car for about 7 days, most of that time, the Cobra has been grounded in the garage due to the snow storm. I have yet to drive it more than 3 times :( because of it. It's killing me!

I'll tell you about the traction in the rain when I find out ... lol.

No regrets on buying the convertible, none what so ever. :thumbsup: I just know that some convertible corvettes have removable hardtops, so that would be the best of both worlds, in my opinion. When I found out some were made for this body style mustang (after I bought it) I wanted to find out about them. Doesn't appear they are worth it.

Na, I bought this from a Dealer in CO. Normally I don't buy from dealers, but this was a killer deal. The Cobra is in great shape (Mechanically and Visually). 44K miles on it. Green with a tan top & tan leather interior. Paid 11k for it, when it is worth between 12.5k (bad condition) and 15.5k (excellent condition). I would say this car is worth about 15, give or take a little. So, basically, slightly higher miles (well not compared to the 8k you found) But, still good miles for this year car and its condition is great.

Hope to have some picts of it online soon!

Like I said, good deals will come and go, so don't worry about it, really! This was one of the better deals in my area, though I wanted to shop local only, so it may have an effect. The bottom line for me, is I am happy and think I did well (it helps when mustang friends were amazed at the deal I got!) So, whatever you get, just have fun, and get what you want!

~Erik

[97Cobra]

How's the traction in the rain? BTW ... traction in bad conditions rain/snow/wet pavement/sand/etc with these cars will never be great compared to other cars. High horsepower and rear wheel drive make it hard. In those conditions, you just have to think about how you drive the car so that you keep control. That and the tires you choose will have a HUGE effect on that as well.

~Erik

[Speedfreek]

There is a company that is doing a hardtop for the 94-04's and I've heard it's quite nice. Hardtops.biz and the #is 205-838-5931

[Stavesacre21]

Hey, 97Cobra, how do you like your '97 Cobra 'vert'? How's the traction in the rain? Would you rather have gotten a hard top than a convertable?
I know this one really wasn't shot at me, but since i've got a 97 as well, i figured you wouldn't mind the extra peice of mind

I personally absolutely LOVE my 97 vert. Personal opinion always plays a role on the styling, and mine has always went toward the 96-98 Cobras. As for wet traction, it's always been kinda :edmond: . If you don't give it any gas on turns, it seems to do great. However, applying much gas at all usuall kicks my tail out and swaps ends before you even know what's happening. Newer or different tires could very well help this out, but in my opinion, it's just not the best in wet weather, but gee.....that really shouldn't be a surprise at 305HP RWD. I wouldn't think twice on buying a vert anyday. The feeling of the wind through yur hair on a sunny day is totally priceless, plus it makes it more of a "Cruising" vehicle if you just like runnin around all the time!