Ok, so it definitely has been a while since I last posted and after a flirt with selling it and grabbing a different car, I have decided to keep unless a once in a lifetime deal comes my way. So, onto the updates....
I recently purchased a used set of Rennenmetal hardtop brackets. I hate the OEM side latches so this was a no-brainer. I got the brackets from a member on the other site for $40 shipped for the front and back. I immediately removed the side brackets and installed them.
I also picked up an OEM Style front lip from Morr for a helluva deal. It was in better shape than what I was expecting. Here is what it looked like when I picked it up.
So to repair the side of the lip so I can attach it to the car, I cut off the part of the lip on the bottom that I could not repair so I can cut and epoxy it to the side of the lip for attachment.
Since I will eventually get the whole car painted, I just used spray paint to paint. It doesn't match perfectly but I can live with it. I used white plastidip to start and then covered with silver spray paint and finished off with clear. I knew if it didn't turn out well, I can just peel it all off and go flat black. But I think it turned out well.
Of course, I don't usually take pictures while I am working, I only have the before and after pics.
Here is the final product: