I did a thing.

[— kung fu jesus —]

I have been noodling on restoring my hardtop, painting it the correct color to match. Problem is, it’s the only roof I have and while I love a hardtop, I have been sneaking some evening drives with the top off the car.

I had been *just* starting to look for a softtop to reinstall so I could take my time on the hardtop resto, and enjoy our waning temperatures, when a good friend told me about the one he pulled from his NB he was prepping for Spec Miata. He told me to name the price, I sheepishly low-balled and he accepted. “Bring cash, come get it today.”

I was thinking it would be a good condition vinyl top. I was a little stunned to find it was a newer Robbins cloth top and rainrail.




It was a little dirty and dusty, but zero signs of wear or tears anywhere. I loaded it in the wagon and drove home.

Of course, with this cooler weather in the 70s, I got right work. It’s been a long time since I have done anything with a softtop, let alone know if I still had all the hardware. I was able to figure it out and find all the fasteners I needed by rummaging around my parts bins. About two hours later:








I’ll clean it up tomorrow and take some pictures. I need to make some fine adjustments, but it looks so classy.



Of course I went for a drive tonight, for testing purposes. ;) I forgot how magical the cool nights are top down.

**late night edit**

Made some adjustments, then steam cleaned it in and out. Pretty happy with it.

[— kung fu jesus —]

Late summer drive this AM and a hike. Took some photos from the trailhead.

[— Agent☣Orange —]

You so lucked out with that top!

[— kung fu jesus —]

I would tell you what I paid but you would call me a liar and a fat mouth.

[— Agent☣Orange —]

I would never call you a liar.

[—Bryan—]

That top looks better than the Robbins I bought brand new.

[lifebyevan]

As much as I love the aestetic of hardtops, I will always prefer a nice condition soft top. Nothing beats a nice drive with top down and some good music.

I am excited to see the hard top resto, because I recently picked up a hardtop for road trips/car shows that is not in the best condition and I would like to do the same.

[— kung fu jesus —]

Spring and autumn are great for soft tops. Winter, summer, and the track, hardtops are worth every penny.

[— kung fu jesus —]

I forgot to post a couple of shots from a wet and wild weekend at Road Atlanta last weekend.

[— Agent☣Orange —]

I want Steve as an instructor and then I want to rip through that course in the rain!

[— kung fu jesus —]

I don’t instruct anymore, but I maintain my certifications. There are far better wet drivers than me, I just feel more comfortable in rain than most.

[—tsingson—]

Wow. That track event looks like it might have been super humid.

[— kung fu jesus —]

You, too, live in the South. It's was raining so yeah, humidity was 100%. ;)

[—tsingson—]

Yeah, I can only imagine how it must have felt. Looks like a great time though.

[— kung fu jesus —]

Our late summer/autumn RA weekend is always more bearable than out June/July events. It wasn't bad at all.