1955 new soft top replacement

[elan71]

My name is Daniel and I'm working on a nice '55 T-Bird. I'm new in this forum and I hope to learn a lot about these very nice cars.
The soft top on the car is still the old original one and in very bad condition.
My plan was to order just the soft top and use the old frame with a new top. But here in Switzerland it cost me around $3500.- at a specialist to just replace it. Only work without the top!
I saw there are complete new soft tops available. But which one are the best?
Do you have any experience?
What would you recommend for my situation?

Thank you in advance

Kind regards from Switzerland
Daniel

 

[1957Bird]

OEM soft top frames are worth a ton of money!!
Simply have new fabric installed on your OEM frame.

 

[sre]

I'm restoring a '57. I totally restored the frame and installed the canvass soft top. I spoke to the guy that runs the restoration shop at Casco, they are in Ohio. They sell a "how-to-do "video. With the video it's not that hard. I never installed one before and I have to say it looks really good. I watched the video about 15 times. Just buy the video 1st, watch it then decide. CASCO Thunderbird they are online. The video is listed in their Catalog

 

[elan71]

Thank you all for your feedback!

Yes, I agree, I'll keep my original frame and install just a new canvas top.
Do you have any recommendations which one fits perfect? I have seen there are several on the market. Must be Canvas and white outside and black inside...
Top of the google list are "Convertible Top Guys". Any experience with these?

Thank you.
Daniel

 

[sre]

I bought my top from Casco their in Ohio. # 740-622-8561. A few reasons I went with them. They are a restoration shop, they install tops. They would buy tops that will FIT. The cost of the top w/acess. when I bought was 688.00. You will probably need all new weather stripping 400.00 You may need front and rear retainers, not sure of cost. Buy the video 1st and look at a few times. It is 17.00 Will help you make a decision.
You will need a VERY sharp scissors, an air or electric stapler.
I rebuilt frame 1st off the car. I installed all new swivel pins rebuilt EVERYTHING before installing back on car. When fitting the canvass top frame MUST BE attached front and back.
Take pictures as you disasemble. I was working with just the frame.