London Garage

[houlio]

I have just moved my Spitty down from up North to London but in order to go topless I need a new soft top fitted, can anyone recommend a cheap garage that would do the job? Either in London or Northamptonshire? Yes I know that nothing is cheap in London, but being new to the area recommendations are gratefully received.

Thanks,

Jules

[slammedvanman]

I can recommend someone in south London (Sutton) if you fancy venturing across the Thames? Supplied & fitted a new hood to an MX5 for me a few years back but covers all types of car? He did an excellent job at the time and was very reasonable (£250 i seem to remember all in).

[//j17]

Don't know if they would be your idea of cheap, but the following guys are the local specialists that I trust with my car:

- JY Classics in High Wycombe (www.jyclassics.co.uk)
- Picton Sportscars in (www.picton-sportscars.co.uk though they have badgered their web site recently, hiding all the links)

Not used (yet) but also recommended by others is:
- MW Restorations in Saffron Walden (01799 584994)

Least likely to be recommended by a Triumph owner:
- Quiller Triumph in Woolwich

Check out www.tssc.org.uk/onlinepoll.asp?poll=toptraders and I'll leave it up to you to wonder why some suppliers top the polls and others have asked (sometimes with threats of legal action) to be removed from them...

[houlio]

Thanks for the advice, if I’m feeling adventurous, how easy might it be to fit a hood myself if I take a sunny afternoon off work, is it an easy job if done slowly and methodically in the sun so the vynal stretches out nicely?

[slammedvanman]

Not knowing how much work you've done on the car before or your proficiency level it's difficult to comment. However, I will say if you don't try you'll never know? A hood isn't safety critical so if you mess it up it's not going to be the end of the world. The sense of satisfaction if you do complete it combined with the cost savings far outweigh giving it to a stranger and having it returned completed with a big hole in your wallet. Also, if you have problems at a later date you'll know how to fix it. Personally I'd have a go, as long as you don't damage the hood in the process at least you can have it professionally fitted if you don't succeed?

Take a look at www.tssc.org.uk for tips and advice. Failing that, revert to the trusty Haynes manual (they do get it right sometimes).

Good luck.

Paul.

Edited by slammedvanman on Friday 7th July 08:04