Removable hardtops

[phil1336]

How quickly some forget or perhaps they are not old enough to remember? What about the complete rebirth and Launch of the (at the time) the completely new and revolutionary 1994 Mustang? First recent Mustang that again manufactured the Convertible Model "in house" instead of having the 2 door Fastback Coupe sent to a private aftermarket "Chop Shop" to retrofit it into a Rag Top. It was so ahead of its time, if you look at the early Launch Dealers & Order Guide, it was to be available (late delivery) which never materialized for an Optional Removable "Hard Top" for the Convertible. Not sure if other then the initial (prototype) even (1) was ever manufactured?

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[azsnake]

How quickly some forget or perhaps they are not old enough to remember? What about the complete rebirth and Launch of the (at the time) the completely new and revolutionary 1994 Mustang? First recent Mustang that again manufactured the Convertible Model "in house" instead of having the 2 door Fastback Coupe sent to a private aftermarket "Chop Shop" to retrofit it into a Rag Top. It was so ahead of its time, if you look at the early Launch Dealers & Order Guide, it was to be available (late delivery) which never materialized for an Optional Removable "Hard Top" for the Convertible. Not sure if other then the initial (prototype) even (1) was ever manufactured?

You could get the removable hardtop on there SN95. They're insanely rare but out there! Was an option for a convertible. You would put the top down and then you could attach the hardtop. Made the car stupid heavy, but was pretty cool.

 

[phil1336]

You could get the removable hardtop on there SN95. They're insanely rare but out there! Was an option for a convertible. You would put the top down and then you could attach the hardtop. Made the car stupid heavy, but was pretty cool.

I believe you if you say that the removable hardtop for the 1994 Mustang Convertible was actually offered and put into Production. I had ordered my MY 94 Mustang Convertible in the Summer of 1993 as soon as the Order Guide became available. The Vehicle finally arrived at the Dealership incased in a cocoon of Ice and Snow after making its voyage from MI to MA in Feb. 2014. The order Guide stated that the (removable hardtop) for the Convertible was "late availability". Late? Its 2014 and I have (never) seen a 1994 Ford Mustang Convertible with that Optional Removable Hardtop either at the hundreds of Auto Shows I`ve attended over the past 2 decades nor have ever seen one in Hemming`s Automotive Magazine of Vintage Cars either. I go to Barrett- Jackson Auto Auctions too and have yet seen one of the extinct Mustang Convertible Removable Hardtops. You were very fortunate to have seen one, indeed!

 

[EXP Jawa]

I was under the impression that the hardtop never made production. What I'd read at the time indicated that the hard top was an either/or proposition - cars that used the top were specific to the hardtop and did not use a soft top. So, if you got caught in the rain you got wet. Perhaps Ford saw the folly in this and abandoned the top. What I do know is that there are conflicting reports of whether or not the hardtop was actually made available.

 

[azsnake]

I believe you if you say that the removable hardtop for the 1994 Mustang Convertible was actually offered and put into Production. I had ordered my MY 94 Mustang Convertible in the Summer of 1993 as soon as the Order Guide became available. The Vehicle finally arrived at the Dealership incased in a cocoon of Ice and Snow after making its voyage from MI to MA in Feb. 2014. The order Guide stated that the (removable hardtop) for the Convertible was "late availability". Late? Its 2014 and I have (never) seen a 1994 Ford Mustang Convertible with that Optional Removable Hardtop either at the hundreds of Auto Shows I`ve attended over the past 2 decades nor have ever seen one in Hemming`s Automotive Magazine of Vintage Cars either. I go to Barrett- Jackson Auto Auctions too and have yet seen one of the extinct Mustang Convertible Removable Hardtops. You were very fortunate to have seen one, indeed!

I had never seen it in person but had seen the tops for sale online on sites like KarKraft and seen pic of owners cars on sites like this. You can also Google 95 or 94 Mustang convertible hardtop and find pics but you have to search

I went with the vert cowl instead. Made the car look like the bat mobile. Forgive the wheels, I got those with the car. I later put on Cobra R's

 

[azsnake]

I was under the impression that the hardtop never made production. What I'd read at the time indicated that the hard top was an either/or proposition - cars that used the top were specific to the hardtop and did not use a soft top. So, if you got caught in the rain you got wet. Perhaps Ford saw the folly in this and abandoned the top. What I do know is that there are conflicting reports of whether or not the hardtop was actually made available.

Maybe, but I know customers with a rag top could use it. Check this blog. This guy ordered a Cobra vert with the hardtop option. From what I hear only 499 Cars in 95 were ordered with this option.
http://www.fryguy.net/2011/01/16/1995-mustang-cobra-hardtop-convertible/

Smoothline offers an aftermarket option from SN95's to current models
http://www.smoothline.com/mustang.php

 

[EXP Jawa]

There are also aftermarket hardtops available for the SN95, in a couple of styles. Anything aftermarket would certainly have to fit over a folded soft top. But what the story is regarding the alleged OEM hardtop, it seems like there's a lot more speculation than fact out there.

 

[phil1336]

Maybe, but I know customers with a rag top could use it. Check this blog. This guy ordered a Cobra vert with the hardtop option. From what I hear only 599 Cars in 95 were ordered with this option.
http://www.fryguy.net/2011/01/16/1995-mustang-cobra-hardtop-convertible/

Smoothline offers an aftermarket option from SN95's to current models
http://www.smoothline.com/mustang.php

Wonder how many of the removable hardtops for the Mustang Convertible were ordered and sold in 1994 (assuming) with "late availability" they were even available during the 1994 MY?

 

[phil1336]

I had never seen it in person but had seen the tops for sale online on sites like KarKraft and seen pic of owners cars on sites like this. You can also Google 95 or 94 Mustang convertible hardtop and find pics but you have to search

I went with the vert cowl instead. Made the car look like the bat mobile. Forgive the wheels, I got those with the car. I later put on Cobra R's

Thanks, that was the "first" photo I have ever seen of the 94`/95` Mustang Convertible Hardtop. Hope I can find an actual Photo of it on the Car.

 

[EXP Jawa]

These guys make aftermarket ones: http://www.smoothline.com/
They have a "Mustang Cobra Style", which looks like above, and a Daytona, that has an S-197 quarter window.

Cobra:

Daytona:

If their standard model is named a "Cobra" style for the aftermarket version, then maybe the answer to the OEM question is that SVT picked up the ball for the hardtop after the base program gave up on it. It is possible that the final design was only offered as a factory option on the Cobra and was not available on the GT (even if the actual fitment was interchangeable).

 

[phil1336]

These guys make aftermarket ones: http://www.smoothline.com/
They have a "Mustang Cobra Style", which looks like above, and a Daytona, that has an S-197 quarter window.

Cobra:

Daytona:

If their standard model is named a "Cobra" style for the aftermarket version, then maybe the answer to the OEM question is that SVT picked up the ball for the hardtop after the base program gave up on it. It is possible that the final design was only offered as a factory option on the Cobra and was not available on the GT (even if the actual fitment was interchangeable).

Thanks, 20 years since my last new 94` Mustang Convertible and (first) time seeing the illusive removable Hardtop actually on the Vehicle! Curiosity question if Ford (ever) actually produced a V6 or production V8 version as a Factory Option in 1994 despite the Order Guides "late availability", very late!

 

[EXP Jawa]

It appears that the hardtop was only sold in '95 on the SVT Cobra, and only 499 were made. I'm guessing that it never happened on the (late available) '94 GT. It is also entirely possible that SVT took the idea - but not the design - that the base program came up with. Basically, that the SVT hardtop was a new design that did away with the original hardtop-only spec that Ford was working with in '94. Just a thought. It appears that the hardtop sits on top of the convertible top trim molding across the rear of the car, behind the seat. I guess it would have to, since the trunk lid comes up to the molding, so for it to still open, the hardtop can only go above the trim piece. It does look a little awkward though.

 

[Moderator]

These posts have been moved over from another thread.

 

[Dub347sbf]

My 94 mustang owners manual has instructions for installing the hard top. I have seen one 95? Cobra with one, it was pretty slick, the weight would suck though

 

[Ericc B]

I have seen one 95? Cobra with one, it was pretty slick, the weight would suck though

500 of those were built, al black. One of those was converted into a Saleen.

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