<VV> 65? Monza Convert. top restoration

[Dave Leonard]

Hi Carl,

I would not bother with powder-coating the top frame - more trouble than
it's worth in my opinion.  Satin black paint will do fine, and there is very
little wear on any of the painted parts, so you'll be fine with conventional
paint.  Clean it up and give it a spray, call it done,

As to the top mounting - it's very typical with other convertible tops -
nothing unusual at all.  Unless you have an original top on yours - very
unlikely I suspect - I wouldn't fret too much on the pictures.  It's really
a very straightforward replacement for a top shop to do.  The Clarks
instructions are good if I recall also.

The biggest challenge is getting the top on and tensioned with no wrinkles.
But again, a good top shop should have no issues with this.  Doing it myself
years ago I swore I would never do another!  A hot sunny day is your friend
for sure.

Dave
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Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2018 02:28:41 +0000
From: Arlette Pat & Carl Kelsen <arlettecarl at hotmail.com>
To: Virtualvairs Virtualvairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Cc: "arlettcarl at hotmail.com" <arlettcarl at hotmail.com>
Subject: <VV> 65? Monza Convert. top restoration

G?day everyone,
Can I ask everyone for some advice please. I am about to commence the
complete restoration and re-installation of the power soft top on our 1965
right hand drive Monza convertible.

To date I have:
1/ LH / RH GEARBOXES
Disassembled, cleaned, reassembled and re-lubed both side gearboxes (if that
is the correct name for them?). I have re-installed both of these gearboxes
on the car and have been very careful to install, position / locate them in
the exact same adjustment positions that they were removed from.

2/ POWER TOP CABLES
Cleaned, re-lubed and re-installed the two cables that connect from the
gearboxes to centrally mounted (behind the rear seat) electric motor that
will power the soft top.

My next intended steps:
1/ FABRIC TOP MATERIAL
I plan to remove the original aged soft top covering from the frame and
while doing this take lots of close up photos showing how the original top
was originally attached to the frame.

I am planning to take these photos as I expect these photos may be a
valuable reference tool for the person I will get to install the replacement
Clarks Corvair supplied soft top.

2/ FRAME OPTIONS & MY QUESTIONS
(A) Powder coat.
?Ideally? I would like to completely disassemble the convertible top frame.
Then clean and Power Coat each individual part. Then reassembled the freshly
power coated frame parts and then assemble the complete frame back on our
car.

My concern is that if do this will I loose the factory adjustment / assembly
of the frame? Is this likely or am I worrying about a problem that might not
exist?

(B) Paint
If maintaining the factory assembly of the frame is important then perhaps I
should leave the frame assembled, simply degrease it as a complete unit,
repaint as required and re-lub before installing back on our car.

The frame is in excellent condition, is not rusty but I would like it better
than perfect before fitting it back on our car.

Any advice on the above would be welcomed as this is the first convertible I
have had anything to do with.

Kind regards from Australia (down under) Carl Kelsen Melbourne, Victoria,
Australia
1965 RHD MONZA CONVERTIBLE

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