Top on or Top off--You be the Judge

[TBurd42]

I have owned my Tbird for 5 years and never taken off the hardtop off because I have not had a place to store the hardtop at my condo. Now, I am perfectly happy to never take the top off because I have come to love that hardtop look. Any opinions to the contrary and any one else think the way I do that the hard top look is the best look for the Tbird!

[luvbirdz]

Re: Top on or Top off--You be the Judge

I agree the the TBird looks beautiful with the hardtop and Porthole, but every year when mine comes out of hibernation in May, I plan to drive for a few weeks with the HT, but the first sunny day it's off for the season.
Have plans for a hoist for getting it on a off by myself easily so it can go both ways when the mood and weather dictate, just a pain to ask for help for a changover.
Whenever I can, the roof is down,(even with heat on), that is what looks best on these cars, and the way I want to be driving it, sun and wind on my scalp, and smile on my face.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Top on or Top off--You be the Judge

March, April, top stays on because I love the look.
May, June, July, Aug, top stays off
because I love the sun & wind.
Sept, Oct, Nov, top stays on because I love the look.
Dec, Jan, Feb, under a blanket hibernating
because I want it to last forever!


If my garage roof was high enough for a hoist,
I would switch top on top off every other weeek
and enjoy the best of both worlds.

[2ndCHOOD]

Re: Top on or Top off--You be the Judge

I love the way our TBird looks with the hard top on (first frost to last frost) but nothing beats driving to the coast with the top down.

[bronzebird]

Re: Top on or Top off--You be the Judge

My top is now off because it reached 62 here last week. It also came off in February for two days when it got to the upper 50's.

If March goes out like a lion the top will likely go back on again for a while.

I like the fact that with the hoist I can change the looks of the car in just eight to ten minutes.

Plus, it drives my wife crazy.

I had someone at the hardware store tell me that they think the car looks best with the soft top up and that just goes to show you everyone has an opinion.

Bronzebird

[Bruce]

Re: Top on or Top off--You be the Judge

Its easy for me the '03 Red Bird is always in softtop and the '05 Inca is always in Hardtop. So if I want to go top down we take the Red Bird and if its not top down weather or we want the classier look we take the Inca Bird.

[birdfan]

Re: Top on or Top off--You be the Judge

I, too, like the look with the hardtop on, there is no mistaking the Thunderbird with that porthole. However, I can't think of much that beats the feeling of driving on a nice sunny day with the top down. I don't know how you have resisted getting that top off and drive along the coast, especially considering where you live. Or cruising a littlle inland through vineyard country - makes me wish I was there doing that right now!

[FUN X 3]

Re: Top on or Top off--You be the Judge

I live in northern VA where we usually have four distinct seasons. Hardtop goes on Thanksgiving week, comes off around Easter. My favorite way to drive the car is top-down convertible.

Ford recommends protection for the painted deck under the hardtop. They sell plastic strips which should be changed out often. Or your can use after-market expel which lasts several years. You should make sure there is protection between your hardtop and the deck. If not, the paint is likely scratched because of dust and dirt that seeps in there.

[Bird03]

Re: Top on or Top off--You be the Judge

Its easy for me the '03 Red Bird is always in softtop and the '05 Inca is always in Hardtop. So if I want to go top down we take the Red Bird and if its not top down weather or we want the classier look we take the Inca Bird.

Ditto

[bikebird]

Re: Top on or Top off--You be the Judge

I love the look with top up. In summer and fall love driving with no top. Can't you find a friend that would loan you some space for your top for a few months or if your condo is a ranch clear out a closet for a couple of months.

[Ski]

Re: Top on or Top off--You be the Judge

As Phil pointed out, roof rash is the only reason to leave the top on all year, but there are solutions to that. My son told me I fit the demographics for a convertable (and was surprised I didn't end up with a Sebring) so I like the top off half the year and on the other half. I do have a hoist which makes it easier.

[tbinil]

Re: Top on or Top off--You be the Judge

I think the hardtop on option is the most recognizable T-Bird look, but unless you have another convertible to drive, the top down configuration is the most pleasurable driving experience. Also, a couple of distinct advantages of the top down; the visiblity is terrific and, even with the radio turned up, you will definitely be able to hear a fire engine or other emergency vehicle coming toward you from any direction.

Regarding a hardtop hoist, I have a manual one (seeing the look on my wife's face as she struggled with the hardtop removal a few years ago, convinced me we shouldn't be lifting it ourselves at our age) installed with an 8 foot ceiling and have enought room to drive under it. However, at least with our lift, it still takes two people to guide the top so it doesn't move around and bump the windshield header or such.

[04birdman]

Re: Top on or Top off--You be the Judge

the car was bought new july 2004....the hard top came off that day and has never been back on the car......it was over 50 degrees yesterday...top down weather for me....got to be ready to drop the top when ever its driven.....in my opinion its a whole lot sexier top down

[EpTxGuy]

Re: Top on or Top off--You be the Judge

Its easy for me the '03 Red Bird is always in softtop and the '05 Inca is always in Hardtop. So if I want to go top down we take the Red Bird and if its not top down weather or we want the classier look we take the Inca Bird.

Clearly this is the best solution in my opinion. Two Thunderbirds is the way to go. Now all I need is to save up enough money for a second one.

Hardtop Convertible

[Indy225]

Re: Top on or Top off--You be the Judge

It is a convertable.... the hardtop is just an option....storage is definitely a problem as mine is long term (till I die!) It is sitting in the basement with my 1950 & 1954 truck parts (my lifetime restoration projects)I don't ever see it going back on as the headroom is REALLY,REALLY tite. The port hole is cool and all, but you just can't beat that top down!