MTFCA Forum

There are a couple flaps at the front of my top that look like they should attach somehow to the top of the windshield, but I don’t see how. When I drive with the top up, the wind lifts the top a bit and the wind blows over windshield.

What year or style of windshield? it makes a difference. Top with straps to the windshield or top w/clamps to the windshield posts, or?

Hey Dan. It’s a 22 runabout. Here are a couple of shots of it. You can see the flaps on the top. Looking at it, it looks like it’s coming down enough in front. Maybe the rear straps are too tight.

The flap goes over the windshield.
The snaps at the corners are for your side curtains.

: ^ )

Does it look like the top is in the right place in relation to the windshield?

The front of the top appears to be about 1½" too high. The front flap should extend over the front of the upper windshield frame and the rear flap should hang behind the frame. This will keep air from coming over the top frame. Your rear curtain may have shrunk a bit making it difficult to get the front of the top lower, or yes you could loosen the rear straps. Get the car in the sun and let the fabric warm up so it can stretch a bit.

Is the angle right on this arm? Or is the way picture is taken?

The top needs to rock forward so the front bow is lower and closer to the windshield. Check to see if the center sockets are vertical. You may not achieve perfection with your adjustments but you can improve things.
I like the suggestion of placing the car in the hot sun first.

I dont see another hole in your top strap. You may have to punch another after settling on the position. Go slow and recheck.

The rear straps might be too short. Unfortunately, after they are placed and the rear curtain has been trimmed, there's little you can do about it unless you replace the rear curtain.
Norm

I loosened the rear straps and punched another hole on the windshield straps. When it was in the right place I used a heat gun to gently warm up the back panel of the top. Sadly, we are short of sunny days up here this summer. Looks like it’s in about the right place now.

It appears to me your leather straps are back too far. I agree with Dan.

Which Dan and about what? First I heard about the straps being in the wrong place.

The front straps need to hold the top down over the windscreen and keep it forward, so they need to be angled. Over time, the top and rear curtain will tend to shrink, causing the fit problems as seen here. Heat and constant pressure are your friends in stretching the fabric and then holding it in place when not in use.

Allan from down under.

Reno Speedster wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 03, 2025 11:47 pm

Hey Dan. It’s a 22 runabout. Here are a couple of shots of it. You can see the flaps on the top. Looking at it, it looks like it’s coming down enough in front. Maybe the rear straps are too tight.

My guess is that you are right about the rear straps. My T is a '27 that has clamps to the windshield posts, but the flap is clearly a seal between the top and the windshield. If any significant amount of air can flow between the top and the windshield, bad things can happen.