Adding a hard top

Technical Area Body, Interior & Styling
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  1. My model of MX-5 is: Mk3
  2. I’m based near: Worcester__
  3. I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Hard top fitting does the soft top stay in place folded down or does it have to be removed if a hard top is fitted
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Hi Eunice… I’ve just found this on here… Hope it helps…!
Rob

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Soft top stays in place, just folded down…if the car has not had them fitted you will need 2 Frankenstein bolts at the back and probably two side clamps behind the seats in the cabin…easy to fit…

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But pretty expensive, if you have to buy the fitting kit - £350 from MX5 Parts. If you’re buying second hand, make sure the fitting kit comes with it. I bought a used, VGC hardtop with the kit for £450

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Thanks for the advice, not fitting one yet but good to have the info ::

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Thank you all info helps

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Some useful info there. I’m awaiting delivery of my new Volvo and so bought a 2008 Mk3 to tide me over. Safe to say it’s staying. My original intention was for it to be a summer car but it’s now looking like I will have to run it into the winter. I’ve cleared the drain holes but I live at 1000 feet. The wind and driving rain does appear to overwhelm the drains on occasions. I’m also concerned about how the soft top will cope with snow. Is a hard top worth the investment? Will it keep the rain out? I’m m also seeing a lot of fitting videos that show dual clips on the front. Mine has a single centre clip. Can it still take a hard top?

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The mk1 and mk2 MX5’s had two clips at the top of the windscreen, your mk3 has a single centre one. Hardtops sit over the edge of where the fabric roof meets the bodywork, so I don’t think they use the drain holes at all, water just runs off onto the bodywork.

When you buy a hardtop make sure it’s for a mk3, and make sure you don’t buy one that’s in two pieces these are for the power retractable hardtop and won’t fit yours. You need the one-piece mk3 hardtop, it’s easily distinguishable from the mk1 or 2 as the glass goes all the way down to the bottom.

(pictures from eBay) This is the correct MK3 one - glass down to the bottom
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This is the wrong mk3 one for your car
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This is a mk1 or 2 hardtop (see how the glass has a body coloured frame all round it)
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That’s really helpful. Thank you