VW
Image courtesy Flickr/pittigillani2005
The Volkswagen Beetle is one of the world’s few car models that has been given a second chance at life. Beloved around the world, the original Beetle was produced by Volkswagen from 1954 through 1967.
Hippies and artists were particularly drawn to the car, due as much to its unconventional styling and production details (engine in the front!) as to the car’s reliability and low price. The Beetle (a.k.a. VW Bug) was also famously simple to work on, even for non-experts, which made many basic maintenance tasks more affordable for owners to do themselves.
The VW Beetle cabrio top was an option right from the very beginning, and it proved to be extremely popular with the car-buying public. This is no doubt why the VW cabrio option was available with the New Beetle from the beginning, as well.
When the Beetle returned in 2003, it was to great fanfare and popular appeal. Everyone wanted the new Beetle, particularly the convertible version!
We sell replacement convertible tops for VW cabrio Beetles both new and old. Choose your model year here, or contact us if you have any questions.
Q: I have a 2001 Volkswagen Golf convertible. How can I figure out which top I need to buy?
A: The VW Golf cabrio (sold as the VW Rabbit in the United States) came in two different styles of top. The first style was used on early models, 1995 through early 2001. The second style was used on later models, late 2001 and 2002.
Obviously if you have a “2001” VW cabrio, you want to be sure you are getting the right top for your car, since the style changed mid-year.
To determine which replacement convertible top to buy for your Volkswagen, look at the rear window. Does the window appear to be smoothly set inside the convertible top? Or is there a rubber gasket around the window?
Early VW Golf cabrio models used the rubber gasket. The second style on later models did not have a rubber gasket. The difference is illustrated in the image above – click the picture to see a larger version.
If you are still not sure which top you need to buy, please contact us and we will be happy to give you a hand.
Photo credit Flickr/Automotive Rhythms
We have a lot of different options for the canvas material that we use for canvas replacement convertible tops. Regardless of which canvas top is original equipment for your car, you can choose any of the following canvas products for your replacement canvas convertible top. This is a common industry practice, and will not sacrifice the quality or the look.
Stayfast Canvas
This is a special canvas fabric designed specifically for convertible tops. It looks something like tent material, and is a three-ply composite material with an acrylic weave outer layer, a rubber inner layer, and a cotton drill inner lining.
Stayfast canvas is original equipment for the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Viper, Plymouth Prowler, Pontiac Firebird, Alfa Romeo Spider, Lotus Elite, Rover MGF, Peugeot 306, RR Bentley Azure, Toyota Celica, and Mazda Miata.
Stayfast canvas is also often used as a replacement material for European cars, as a less-expensive alternative to the original German or Sonnendeck canvas.
Sonnendeck, a.k.a. Twillfast II Canvas
Sonnendeck is similar to Stayfast canvas, but with a textured backing in either black or tan.
Sonnendeck is original equipment on the Aston Martin DB7, Audi Cabriolet, Jaguar XK8, BMW Z3 Roadster, Chevy Corvette from 1998 on, BMW 3 Series Cabriolet (E36), Opel Astra, and the VW Golf III.
Twillfast, a.k.a. Twillfast JX
This is the Sonnedeck/Twillfast II canvas, but with a gray backing. It is original equipment on the Chrysler Sebring JXI.
Original German Canvas, a.k.a. Sonnenland or A5
This is the original German canvas, made with a twill weave outer fabric, a rubber inner layer, and a dobby weave lining fabric. It is original equipment on the VW new Beetle Convertible, Mercedes, Porsche, Saab 9-3, and Volvo C-70.
