Who is going topless?

[NuttyGambler]

Last post this morning, I promise... http://www.fordthunderbirdforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

Just wondering how many have made the switch to the softtop already for Summer? Weather is still bad up here, but did make the switch. I miss the hardtop ******** though. I don't plan on putting the top on and off very often.

Chime in with your topless plans. Anybody plan on running the hardtop all the time?

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http://www.netweavers.com/test/tbird.jpg

[Leon Emmons]

I made the switch several weeks ago and enjoy the convertible, but I dont get the looks that I did when the hardtop was on

[JimBob]

Have been topless for several weeks...but here in Phoenix, our "topdown" weather is about to come to a close...too hot.

By the end of May, it will be hardtop until October (too hot even at night...10 PM can be 105 still outside).

[Mark501]

I have had the hardtop off since the first of April, and I have had the top down a good bit. This chick I'm married to has "Hair issues" with the top down though, it's not a problem for me, I just let the wind blow my scalp, oddly enough, I've had some pretty cool "Comb over" looks after driving with the top down. I love this car.

I figure the top will be off for the summer.

Mark

[Gobird]

http://www.fordthunderbirdforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Took mine off last weekend. Will be off for the summer now but I like the looks of the hard top better.

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02 T-Bird 9293
69 Vette
73 MGB
97 F-150 4x4
2-Seadoo Jet Skies
Live Long and Prosper!

[jawill2000]

Took mine off the week after I got the car after dealer's warning on paint damage from hard top gasket. I don't intend to reinstall it till Ford comes up with a permanent fix (not tape). It's been cold here with snow on and off for the last month or more, but if the sun shines and temp goes over 55 down goes the top.

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Jim Williams
red/red/std blk premium #2 of 2 VIN 1FAHP60A62Y111592
Mass. tag JWBIRD

[joelja]

I took the hardtop off immediately and may put it back on around Thanksgiving, if at all. We have lots of days, even in late Novenmber, that are perfect top down days.

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blue/blue/full blue prem
Vin 16050;Rotation 5856
Delivered 4/29

[SoCal Tbird]

It seams that my Tbird can control the weather hear in San Diego. If I have the top on it is warm and sunny. If I have the top off it is cold and cloudy. I have also noticed that I get more looks with the top on.

[pbocciardi]

I live in San Francisco, and I'm thinking of taking my hardtop off this weekend and leaving it off until about Thanksgiving (when the rainy season begins here). Still, like Leon and Gobird, I do like the looks of the car with the hardtop on, and I enjoy the more frequent looks I get, as well!

I have an odd problem living in the "cool, grey city of love," though. Ironically, summertime in San Francisco -- especially where I live, near the beach -- is freezing because it is always foggy! So when I leave home in convertible mode, I have to crank the car heater up to the maximum, put on a down jacket, and drive for about 20 minutes in any direction, at which point it's suddenly 85 degrees outside and I get a sunburn! Coming home, the opposite occurs -- 20 minutes from home, I suddenly hit a frigid wall of fog and I look like a fool driving in convertible mode in a tank top in such dismal weather. Whatever is a girl to do?

[This message has been edited by pbocciardi (edited 05-01-2002).]

[pkboyd]

Got our Tbird yesterday, and had mixed emotions about taking hardtop off. We have the premium, yellow, white top, full interior and are so in love with our Bird with the white top!! However, took the top off this morning and have enjoyed immensely the convertible mode. Living in S. Louisiana, we better take advantage of this somewhat moderate weather before the heavy humidity sets in!

[RedBirdDlx]

We, like Joel took off the top immediately. Found some water in the folds of the convertible top and got it dried out. (Glad we checked). Don't think we'll put it back on until Fall. I like the idea of "Topless" in our pervertible.

CYA Sat. Duane

[metinsure]

I love the pervertable term. I havent used it in years

Charley

[rlstonejr]

have had the hardtop off since October except for a formal occasion which screamed for the silver top. thinking about putting it back on for the summer months - hot, humid, rainy. probably the first coolish night we have somewhere to go, we will want to go convertible and the plans will all change. best bet is to get an electric lift and just change whenever we feel like it. might as well enjoy it.

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neiman vin#00035
delivered October 4, 2001

[DavidA]

I took mine off the day I got it, (Oct.16) and then put it back on in November. It's been on/off several times since but is now permanently off until November. It does look better with the top on and people certainly seem to notice it more with the top on, but, I like convertibles. I'd probably be just as happy with no hardtop, but I bought it anyway.

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#1429 Black Premium with Full Red Interior.

[HeelBird]

Amadeus' lid came back off about 3 weeks ago. Since then have cruised to Chapel Hill three times (220 mile round trip) for Carolina baseball games....the latest was last night for the game with ECU. Oh, the looks that that car gets! The term rubbernecker is not limited to folks slowing to look at a wreck on the highway!

[TbirdTim]

I had mentioned it in a previous post a few months ago, but wouldn't it be great if Ford could develop a unique convertible top for the Thunderbird that would have the round ********s in it!

I've had my hardtop off for about 3 weeks now. Too many people were bugging me to ride open-air mode. I waited as long as possible because of the nasty yellow pollen that we have here in Georgia, which has now passed for another year.

I do notice that more people seem to recognize the car for what it is when the hardtop is on.

[K6RU]

I took the top off two weeks ago with the help of a friend. (Wife is too small and has shoulder problems lifting.) Emil from E-Z TOP called today to say he is shipping my electric lift on Friday (ordered in February). It is "in paint" today. He changed to 3 day shipping at no extra charge when I told him I planned on next week for installation.

We have not had a convertible for many years and the top-down San Diego freeway noise is going to take a while to get used to.



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Chuck

[LON O'CONNELL]

We take the top off for a day every once in awhile, but the car looks so much better with the top on and the air conditioner works a lot better with the top on also. lol.

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Yellow/Yellow Prem. 02 Bird w/full accent
1999 F150 Super Cab 4x4 Off Road
1998 Taurus SE Sport 24V

[T02 Bird]

I've had my top off since I installed my EZ-top back in February. I'm still not sure when I'll put the hardtop back on...the evenings here in Florida have been really beautiful, but the humidity is starting to creep up ever so slowly. Guess I may put the top back on either this weekend or next.

BTW, I rarely drive around with the convertible top up. Looks much, much better with the top down!

KB

[DEWbird]

I've had my bluebird since 4/20 but only had it on the road 3 days due to inclement Indiana weather. I agree with several others that the car is a better looker with the hardtop on. It seem like every woman who looks at the car comments about the trademark ********s in the roofline. The cold weather has given me the chance to re-arrange my garage to provide the best home for the new bird. So, as soon as we get some temps over 60, the top will come off and be stored until fall. Since my first car in 1967 was a red Chevy Impala SS convert., I am looking forward to top-down weather.

[captjim]

Picked up my T-Bird last friday - top was off by sunday. No plans to put it back on....I've always been a rag-top guy!
Jim

[rlstonejr]

DEWbird - my first car was a 1964 impala ss convert. (navy blue) http://www.fordthunderbirdforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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neiman vin#00035
delivered October 4, 2001

[tr cruiser]

I missed the hardtop when I first removed it for our February cruise. After a week or two I got pretty used to the car without the top. Temperatures are mild and rain is rare during the summer months in the Bay Area, so I may do like Paula and leave it off until October. I'm wondering though, if bringing the top might be a good option for Thunder on 66. Is driving a convertible through the Southwest in August desirable?

[thenewtbird2]

August thru the midwest and southwest is HOT! bet softtop will be up most of the time unless you're really hardy or is that "foodhardy"? We'll do the route with the softtop so it can go up or down as we please.

and air conditioner works in all modes! http://www.fordthunderbirdforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by ***********2 (edited 05-01-2002).]

[NuttyGambler]

Oops wrong thread... why can't we delete our own posts?

[This message has been edited by NuttyGambler (edited 05-01-2002).]

[thenewtbird2]

was wondering about that nuttygambler. http://www.fordthunderbirdforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

I meant I read your post before you edited. dont' know why tbird won't let us delete our own.

[This message has been edited by ***********2 (edited 05-01-2002).]

[BornAgain]

Top has been off for about six weeks (she's too short to help put it back on). EZTop hoist arrived yesterday. It'll be a while before I can install it, so we'll go topless until then. She likes the hardtop on or the ragtop up. Me, I like the top down. When the hoist is installed, we'll go with the flow and compromise.

[Beadhead]

TR, took our SVT Cobra convertible on a trip through California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah in August, mostly with the top dropped. Top-down motoring allows for much improved sightseeing. There were occassions, however, (like Death Valley!!!) where top-up was the only way to avoid that well-done feeling.

[RACERROGER]

Couldn't wait any longer; took the top off April 7. It seems to me that I get more comments with the top down then with the hardtop on. Maybe its just easier for people to talk to me with it down. Granted my baby only goes out when the sun shines and it is above 50 degress.

[gmadams]

I too am going topless. Only problem is that I don't wear a shirt while I'm mowing the grass. Hopefully before TOO much longer I will also be a topless TBird owner/driver. Until then, the girls will only want me for my body.... LOL http://www.fordthunderbirdforum.com/ubb/wink.gif

[JimmyFitz]

My top has been stored for the last 8 weeks out of 12 weeks that I have had my car. the first four weeks, the top went off for the weekend and then back on for the daily drives to work. After the last freeze in early March the top came off and has remained that way since. I only put the soft top up when I am driving in the rain or parking for long times or in uncomfortable places. I have driven topless to work in 42 degree weather with gloves and a muffler on and recently had to roll up my sleeves when the thermometer hit mid '90s. My wife and I took an 800 mile trip last month driving the whole time with the top down. I still get plenty of stares, pointing, gawking and thumbs up from other people. You don't seem to get that so much with the soft top up though. I love this car.

JimmyFitz #9429
3900 smiles (so far)
Austin, Texas

[greenwr]

I took the top off about amonth ago for a few warm days, then put it back on. I plan on going to Houston this Friday, I will take the top off after I get back from Houston. Plan to put the top back on in October.

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Bill's Red and White #4359
Tag # 15AGAIN

[2K2BIRD]

I've had the top off for about 6-8 weeks but haven't had the car out of the garage for the last couple due to the oak pollen that is everywhere during this time of the year around here. Didn't think that yellow stuff would look too good imbedded in the black cloth top or all over the interior. Also the trees are sapping this time of the year.

I'll get her out this weekend to stretch her legs if the weather looks good.

I'll probably put the top back on when I take the car back to the dealership to rework a rock chip that the car had when it was delivered. I don't want to take a chance that the cloth top might accidently get any type of contamination in the painting process. Otherwise, it will probably go back on in early November.

Paul

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#3739 Premium
Torch Red w/matching top
Standard Interior

[Hansenisu]

Got mine the first of March and drove about two weeks with the top on exclusively. The itch to take the top off needed a scratch and we took it off - we were surprised at the different look of the car with the top off - still like it lots but the top with the ******** is definitely the focal point of the car that has everybody looking.

Then I had a few weeks of highway driving planned so I put the top back on since I haven't had the chance to take it back to the dealer to get them to look at the bad seal on the drivers side window. In addition, like TbirdTim's situation, there's a lot of pollen in the air here in NC and it makes the black soft top look nasty.

The quiet was nice but now the top is off until probably Thanksgiving time.

Everyone enjoy your rides, this is going to be a great Summer!!!

[atcoles]

Had top off since second weekend of April and back on in November, the weather was great that first weekend, I also was in a parade around here in the DC area and made the passenger sit in the seat. I also notice the some gasket wear to the paint when I took top off and hope Ford comes up with a fix by the time I put the top back on.

[TbirdMarty]

Have been topless from day one. One word of caution, WATCH OUT FOR SUNBURN. I have been burnt twice while topless. I wonder how well Sunblock and leather seats go together?

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Courage - and shuffle the cards

[Tbird Lover]

I've been topless for about a month. I love the freedom to put the top up or down whenever I feel like it, but I do think the car is much cuter with the hard top on. I haven't gotten sunburned yet, but I have a fabulous tan!

[KYbluebird]

I'm always topless since I bought the convertible. The car looks great even without the hardtop and I can drop the lid whenever I feel like it.

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VIN #7729, seq. #7505
partial blue premium, no top

[TomW]

I'm in Iowa - my first time was in January (believe it or not)

[NuttyGambler]

OK: Follow up question?

So are you carring the hard cover with you?

Or just pick a flavor before you leave the garage?

[Tbird Lover]

My hard boot is in my living room wrapped in plastic right next to the hard top. Too much trouble to put on and take off when you aren't planning to go topless and leave it that way for a while. Can't wait for the soft boot!!!!!!

[SugarDaddy]

We have had the hardtop off since February 23, just before the California Cruise I to Santa Barbara. As soon as the outside temperature rises above 60o F., my wife loves to drive around town with the soft-top down. We just drop the soft-top before we leave the garage, and put it up when we get back.
We are driving back and forth to the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies new stadium with the soft-top down, even at 11:00 PM. I doubt that we will put the hardtop back on before November.

We have used the hard boot cover a few times as it installs fairly easily now, following tr cruiser?s instructions on Dot?s web site, but the hard boot cover it takes up too much space in the trunk to carry everywhere.


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Gerry & Kim's
Triple Black Premium
#6831

[Gobird]

http://www.fordthunderbirdforum.com/ubb/wink.gif We will use the boot when the weather gets warmer and we can let the top down for a couple days. We will put it on or take it along on the first MATC cruise on the 19th of this month.

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02 T-Bird 9293
69 Vette
73 MGB
97 F-150 4x4
2-Seadoo Jet Skies
Live Long and Prosper!

[DEWbird]

Eighty sunny degrees in Fort Wayne, Indiana today and my bluebird is now topless. Wife and I were able to remove the hardtop without any major problems. The boot is another story. We spent nearly 30 minutes stretching and pulling to get it on right, even after leaving it out in the sun. Everywhere we cruised today, we got the looks, the waves, the compliments. At our local Zesto ice cream stand, a guy pulled in driving a restored "64" Malibu and he walked right up our TBird and started "wowing". Now I need to re-read some of the earlier posts and find a good cover for the car.