1969Mk3Spitfire Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Any suggestions for moving a hardtop from south coast to north west, distance is approx 200 miles? I have an Audi A3 but I've been told that a hardtop will not fit inside. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJH2454 Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 3 minutes ago, 1969Mk3Spitfire said: Any suggestions for moving a hardtop from south coast to north west, distance is approx 200 miles? I have an Audi A3 but I've been told that a hardtop will not fit inside. Thanks in advance. I had to hire a small van to move mine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin1945 Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 How about using a roof rack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 I would try fitting it over a small trailer with lots and lots of padding. A roof rack might be entertaining, but dangerous, from my own experience of losing a exterior door off the top at 30mph. Took off like a glider after the wind lifted it and snapped the lashing. Someone here had one couriered for about £100. They will advise you shortly I'm sure or try the search function. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Took a bit of searching but I knew it was here somewhere... https://forum.tssc.org.uk/topic/8166-wintertime-top-is-here-now-need-storage-hoist/?tab=comments#comment-115869 Hope that it helps a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Last time I had to get a hard top transported I coincidentally also needed a non-driveable (dead battery corroded solidly to the terminals) GT6 moved from and to the same places. So the transporter driver strapped the hardtop onto the truck behind the GT6. The trick with roof racks (or small trailers, for that matter) is to arrange the aerodynamics right and make sure it's thoroughly tied down. Mathew's "upside down" approach works because the air flow over a bonnet generally tries to lift it, so inverting it means the wing effect holds it to the car instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 there are the inflatable racks ones that run through the door shut with air pads on the roof and ratchet straps never used but keeps the air gap at a minimum ok if infrequent useage without having to get a dedicated rack Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanMi Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 drive the spit and fit the hardtop, then drive back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 My Herald Estate came back from the paintshop in the dark as a bare shell. The guys delivering it asked me what I thought. "Ok so far, but where's the roof?" It was only set onto the body for spraying, not bolted down, and had blown off on the way. They never noticed in the dark. Thankfully it had dropped down inside the rear tub with the two C-posts about an inch off the ground behind; a little bit of paint damage to both tub and roof but otherwise still useable. Lucky!! A hardtop will fit sideways into a 6 x 4 trailer; biggest problem is preventing damage from bumps etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1969Mk3Spitfire Posted September 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Thanks for all of the suggestions. Interparcel service / Tufnell is looking quite promising. I know the x, y and z dimensions but not sure about weight - can anyone help with an estimate, please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 59 minutes ago, 1969Mk3Spitfire said: not sure about weight - can anyone help with an estimate, please? Three years ago I could have, because I was totting up for the winch to store mine above where the car lives. Can't remember now, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffds1360 Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Aaaah... straining my memory now but it was under 20kg. Even possibly as low as 14kg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Jeff - Out you go with the 'fisherman's scales' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffds1360 Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 I fitted it on the car yesterday !!! It was raining and cold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Oh well, another bright idea down the tubes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 According o this site... http://triumphspitfire.com/Size.html ..the weight of a 1500 Spitfire is 58 pounds. I think that's a Yank site so their pounds, I think, are different but it gives a ball park figure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffds1360 Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Doh...mine is of course fibreglass and herald/vitesse size. Back in the 70s my spit top was steel and much smaller...?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Badwolf said: the weight of a 1500 Spitfire is 58 pounds I've seen figures around that (53lbs or so) on other sites, too, for the later hardtop. I also found Quote Just been out to the garage to weigh the hard top (totally original, never welded) for mk3 spitfire Complete with glass etc 21kg on the Club Triumph forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 On 02/09/2021 at 20:17, Jeffds1360 said: Doh...mine is of course fibreglass and herald/vitesse size. Back in the 70s my spit top was steel and much smaller...?? Found one that might match your car, too? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194387562300?hash=item2d4266cf3c:g:GDUAAOSwWuthTY9z Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffds1360 Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 ! 99p Good buy ahhh..... reserve not met! I have a spare one but you got to talk < 400 these days.... plus a ton for delivery, ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1969Mk3Spitfire Posted September 24, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 Rightly or wrongly, I prefer to have an original steel one for my Mk3 Spitfire.............haven't as yet been able to conclude the deal per my OP so potentially still looking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 Once (just once, never allowed again) I took a detour on the way back from a family holiday in France, to collect a GRP Vitesse bonnet from Honeybourne mouldings. No room in the car, or on the boat trailer, but i had fitted roof rails, not telling anyone why. We got home, the bonnet was fine, but that was probbaly because I drove so slowly, as otherwise i would have taken off! I was interrogated every holiday thereafter, any detours planned???? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 For those who remember such things. We used to regularly Roof Rack a "Mirror" Dinghy. From the East Coast to Sailing venues as far as the South Coast. Towing a 14ft Caravan. Upside down it actually improved the aerodynamics of the 2L Cortina Estate, 60mph was easily achievable, though 50ish was more restfull. 21Kg, should be copeable on most decent roof bars, I would have thought, rear screen to the front and properly lashed with ratchet straps. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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