Raising the Roof!

 Had the girlfriend over, and we were hoping to do something relatively easy on the bug that made us feel like wed done a lot, so off with the convertible top!

Started off by ripping out all of the staples securing the fabric into place. Most of these secured into a wood strip running along the rear of the bug, however some looked like it was stapled into sheet metal, which was impressive. At the same time, we also removed a few bolts in the engine compartment that we thought would hold on the roof, the rear seat latch, the rear interior panels, and then the decorative plastic pieces that the rear seat slides against. The bolts in the back, we later found out secured the wooden strip into place. 

Side panels and rear seat latch removed, and working on the decorative plastic pieces 

Bolts in the rear that secured the wooden strip

With these parts removed, we were able to see inside of the convertible connections. There were 3 main bolts per side just below the hinge, and a wire that ran the length of the rear of the convertible top. This wire ran through the fabric, and underneath a sheet metal lip, and this was the main connection for the fabric to the body. The cable ran through the body, and was tensioned inside of the car. As far as we could tell, it was crimped after installing, and it was too large to pass through the hole in the body, so it was cut. The screws securing the corners of the convertible fabric and the clips for the convertible cover were then removed. The fabric around these holes were looking kinda sad; likely the fabric on the roof should be replaced.

Cable securing the fabric top right behind the bolts securing the
convertible hinge to the body.

Securing bolts and snaps just behind the rear window. Soft parts
are looking a bit sad

Cable cut and removed from lip

Lip securing the cable and fixing convertible fabric to body

After all of this, we could just lift the entire top as a single unit and store it off to the side. Likely, I'll later have to replace all of the soft parts, but the hardware all seems in great shape, and can be in better shape with minor tune-ups and repainting.

Roof is off of the body

The top in its home for now

The final little thing I did today was look into the rear left window. Since I've had the car, the hinge has been busted and apparently that part is not made anymore. I wanted to pull out the dispatched window to see what can be done. Its a thin sheet metal that is magnetic, so thats a good sign it could be weldable by someone who knows what they're doing, but Ill have to look at the hinge to find out.

Busted window. There should be a hinge on the lower left.