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Hi, Since I got my NA about two months ago everything I've read says that you have to unzip the rear section of the soft top before you lower the roof. Is that to protect the plastic rear window?

I have a glass rear window so do I also have to unzip the sections before lowering the roof?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers
Copycat

nope

further to AJ's beautiful advice....
The Glass window In the NB's does not unzip.

If you can find the zip to unzip it, go ahead :p

Am I missing something with these replies or has there been some confusion?

I have an NA model (not an NB) which has a glass rear window - do I need to unzip the rear section of the roof before I fold the soft top or is that just when you have a plastic window?

Cheers
Copycat

Stan is old & easily confused Copycat, but my post was to the point, no you DON'T have to unzip the glass window in your NA

Many thanks AJ!

Cheers
Copycat

Hi Copycat and welcome to the forum...and the obsession
The reason behind folding out the NA models (plastic) rear window is so you don't crease
and eventually, crack, the plastic. Which may happen over time.
Though, if you are missing the joyous experience of unzipping the rear window, which is the epitome of the NA topless driving, I have
a soft top with the aforementioned plastic rear window that I would (reluctantly, mind you) swap with your glass set up.
Only because you are new here and I want to make you feel welcome.
If it was anyone else, i would charge them.

For the sake of trying to curb the confusion....

NA's never came with a glass rear window, they were all plastic, and should be unzipped before lowering the soft top. NB's all had glass rear windows which simply can't be unzipped. NB roofs can be fitted to NA's which is what Copycat's car obviously has had done....

Ok, just to add a spanner into the works.

If you have a NA with a glass window then you have a non-original softop. Chances are you have a NB soft top, in which case you do not need to unzip...in fact there should be no zip to un-zip.

However, it is always possible that you could have a soft top such as a Robbins NA glass window soft-top with a zip.

So, in summary if there is no zip, problem solved. If there is a zip then you may have to un-zip prior to putting the roof down. I would suggest you search the big forum, as they had bigger choice of soft tops and you may find the definitvie answer there.

Just my 2 cents worth (GST exclusive)

J

Ok to throw a further spanner in, and a bit of a noob question.
Is the frame for the hood on the NA the same as the one on the NB? I know they both fit, just want to ensure no issues with a back glass window should the fold down be slightly different (better to be sure I say).

Captain Spank wrote:Ok to throw a further spanner in, and a bit of a noob question.
Is the frame for the hood on the NA the same as the one on the NB? I know they both fit, just want to ensure no issues with a back glass window should the fold down be slightly different (better to be sure I say).

Hey Capt.

The frames differ slightly there are 2 options

Buy a second hand NB Frame with top atttached - easy swap.
This is my preferred option for when it happens!
Buy a new top and attach to NA frame - not so easy and very time consuming.
You will need to modify the frame slightly to allow the glass to fold properly. The top manuf. should include instructions.

Richard

Juffa's right, some aftermarket glass windowed tops for NA's have a zip which must be used to fold the top;others have no zip and have straps between two of the hood bows that allow the top to fold without unzipping; a third type has the ability to unzip if you want to(ie allow better airflow withe the top up in summer) but have the extra strap and can fold without unzipping.

In summary if your top folds without unzipping and without you having to ease one of the hood bows forward it is most likely an NB top;if you have to pull one of the bows forward to allow it to fold it is afternarket.

I have the third type fitted to an NA frame, previously had the first type and zipping up a glass window is a pain given the weight-almost need three hands as you need to get the zip tracks close together to avoid putting pressure on them.

Peter

Hey Peter,
Where did you get this 3rd type from?

This is just curiousity, not because i have the funds to purchase a top now.

In my world aquiring a glass windowed soft top would result in my employment of Fastfreddy tactics (TM)
or
The more realistic view of leasing myself for the purpose of scientific experiments

Just about every aftermarket supplier,eg Cabrioworld, Robbins,AA BEST, Quicktop and Prestige offer this facility; just go to their websites and go through the ordering process and you will find it as an option.

For the record I have never had the hood up and the window down (I have air) in 7 years of MX5 ownership so would always get the cheaper option of fold without being able to unzip.

Mine is an AABest co and is ok, not a great hood but ok for what I spent; when I got it I didn't realise that it had the fold without unzipping facility and unzipped it to put it down for the first 6 months of use!!!!!!

Peter