There
are both 68 and 69-70 top frames. Although either are
useable on any 68-70; when you need a top or are
putting rear hoops with separate front bow it is
necessary to know what you have. A discussion of the
situation with the frames and the different tops
follows.
Both
types have a gutter on the sides to deflect the rain
that you could pull out over the window, the 68 type
also continued this flap down the rear sides of the
window. Technically, the "A" was copied from the 68
tops; the "B" from the 69-70s. We have used these tops
interchangeably for 42 years; but they do have a
slightly different shape. At the start of 1969 Nissan
altered the frame shape and fortunately also the way
the frame is made either out of necessity or just
because it was a new production part. What that helps
is telling the two types apart.
As
I mentioned we have used these on either frame; using
the customer's preference in flap design. Some people
like the 68 design where you can pop the glass under
the lip so the car can sit in a rainstorm... Some
people hate that as it sometimes catches on the window
when you roll the window up and then the door can
require some fidgeting to get it open
easily.
We
need to discuss this difference now because as the
tops get more expensive over the decades; top shops do
NOT want to start work on a top and then notice the
top part number is different than Robbins says it is.
In the past I had to laugh at this (not at the shops)
but at now three different sets of "what fits what"
information that Robbins has put out; ALL OF WHICH
HAVE BEEN WRONG. I also think that warranty
requirements have been tightened up; even though fit
information the manufacturer is putting out is
INCORRECT.
There
has also no discussion from top manufacturers of
whether or not the frame on your car is what the car
came with! True they all came with softops and
tonneaus and top boots; but SO many have been lost or
damaged or stolen that many many many cars are now
carrying a "wrong" frame. Of course with Robbins part
information wrong who knows WHAT top it should have...
(unless you read this page...) What I'm trying to say
is each of these tops have ALREADY been used on the
"wrong" frames a jillion times. Oh if you're think I'm
being mean spirited about this; I OFFERED to
straighten out Robbins Fit Information decades ago and
was rebuffed. What do I know; I just eat my meals and
sleep in one of these roadsters every day! And no I
wasn't condescending about it; everyone has their own
weird chunk of knowledge. I've tried to dispense what
I've figured out; or more correctly what 100 people
have collectively figured out and sometimes told ME;
that I happen to remember.
So
what do you need to know? For best fit and best looks;
not too tight anywhere and not too baggy anywhere; use
the 977-84 on a 69-70 FRAME and a 977-11 on a
68 FRAME. (Again that is by what the
FRAME really is. To determine the true
MODEL year of your car not what the car may be titled
as...see vin info here
and here.
If you use the "wrong" top the shop may balk at
installing it or not warrant anything; and Robbins
probably will not either. (Of course they don't know
which frame you have anyway...) We have already had
situations where a top installer doesn't want to put
on the CORRECT top for the frame; because the YEAR of
the car tells them (from Robbins info) that they
should be using a different top. Fun eh?
Scroll
down for pictures of the two frame styles and how to
tell them apart.