I bought a detachable hardtop for my TR7 convertible to make it just a little more practical.
It has done a good job of keeping the rain and snow off me. It turns out that my hardtop is made by
Honeybourne Mouldings rather than Lenham. Honeybourne hardtops are available new again after the firm reintroduced them. Apparently the design had to be renewed as the original moulds were no longer up to the job.
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| Honeybourne TR7 hardtop |
The windows are different on a Lenham as shown below.
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| Lenham hardtop |
The rear window in a Lenham is the same size amd shape as in the TR7 fixed head. Before I realised I had a Honeybourne rather than a Lenham I bought a heated rear windows from a TR7 fixed head as I fancied having a demistable back window.
Both Lenham and Honeybourne hardtops fix to the car in the same way,
clipping to the header rail at the front and by J bolts to the hood frame near the B post of the car.
Alternative hardtops
A German design.
Lenham
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| Lenham hardtop advert |
DIY Amerian
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| DIY Amerian hardtop 1 |
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| DIY Amerian hardtop 2 |
A DIY Amerian made hardtop.
Smooth Line
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| Smooth Line hardtop |
Smooth Line hardtop from USA. Still being made as I write this.
http://www.smoothline.com/triumph.php
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| Smooth Line hardtop exterior |
Triumph TR 7-8 Hardtop with Haartz Vinyl Exterior view above. Triumph TR 7-8 Hardtop Interior view below.
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| Smooth Line hardtop interior |
SnugTop
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| SnugTop hardtop 1 |
The SnugTop design as made in the USA.
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| SnugTop hardtop 2 |
Extract from Motor
The 3rd May 1980 edition of Motor magazine contained details of two new accessories for the TR7. A roll over protection bar and a detachable hardtop.
Cover for TR7
QUICK OFF the mark, Lenham have introduced a detachable hard-top for the Triumph TR7 convertible. Made from glass fibre the roof is supplied in black or may be painted to match the car. The tinted rear window has heating elements, the interior is fully lined with cloth and the side windows open The roof can be supplied with a tilt or take-out Amilite sun-roof (as can all Lenham hardtops). Prices with VAT are: £345 and £488.75 with Amilite sunroof. Lenham Motor Co. Limited, 47 West Street, Harrietsham, Kent.
Had an exchange on the Club Triumph forum.
ReplyDeleteSteve
I am considering this for my 7 & am interested in your feedback.
How does it feel inside the car compared with the softtop? In particular space, noise, general comfort, vision. Have you found any problems with it?
Thanks
Howard
Howard
The main problem is that the hardtop is heavy and takes up a surprising amount when not in use. I have lifted it by myself but would recommend 2 people would be best. I dropped it one occasion and scratched the paint on the car body.
Vision is potentially better because the windows are glass rather than cloudy plastic. If you get a Lenham you can fit a heated rear window.
Unless the seals onto the rear deck are in good shape water can still get in.
The is no change to space available as the folded softtop is still there. I think the headroom is equal or better than under the softtop.
Steve
I have a very similar hardtop on my 1980 triumph TR7. Does not have the sight glass. I was just curious what the value of these are since they're truly harder to find?
ReplyDeleteAre any if these hardtops still in production and available today? (March 2022), I fancy one for my TR7V8, thanks
ReplyDeleteHave tried asking the makers. I am pretty sure both Lenham and Honeyboune are still trading in the Uk
Delete