Soft top mechanism
The soft top mechanism comprises two parallel metal rails running along the sides of the soft top. These rails are in three parts. One front rail that is integrated with the first bow (1), a center rail (2) and a rear rail (3). The rails are made of magnesium to give a strong roof construction. The three rails are joined to each other with hinges. As the soft top opens, the mechanism folds at these hinges and at the main point of rotation (12), i.e. where the soft top mechanism is fastened to the body.
Between the right-hand and left-hand metal rails are six bows. The bows are numbered from one to six with the front bow closest to the windscreen numbered one.
The first bow (1) is made of magnesium in one piece with the front rails. The second (4), third (5), fourth (7) and fifth (8) bows are made of steel and mounted on a linkage, one on each side, from which they are controlled mechanically. The linkage is connected to the front, center and rear rails. The sixth bow is made of aluminum.
The reinforcing bow (6) is located between the third (5) and the fourth bow (7) and is mounted on the rear rail (3). It is not counted as a separate bow but is used only to hold the headlining taut and to reinforce the area between the two rear rails.
The two guide straps (10, 11) join together the reinforcing bow on each side (6) with the fourth (7) and fifth (8) bows and the fifth bow (8) with the rear window frame attaching linkage. The guide straps (10, 11) are screwed to the reinforcing bow (6) and blind riveted to the fourth (7) and fifth (8) bows as well as the rear window frame attaching linkage. The guide straps (10, 11) control the fourth (7) and fifth (8) bows while the soft top is being operated and also secure the soft top when it is raised.
The movement of the first (1), second (4), third (5), fourth (7) and fifth (8) bows is controlled by the main movement of the two hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic cylinders are located one on each side.
The sixth bow (9) joint is located where the soft top mechanism (12) is mounted to the body and is operated and secured by two hydraulic cylinders, one on each side. The sixth bow is made of aluminum.
When closed, the soft top is locked to the windscreen member with rotating locking hooks (14) on both sides. These hooks are controlled by a hydraulic cylinder (13) on the first bow (1). The fastening mechanism can also be operated using a socket wrench (part of the emergency opening tool kit). Refer to EMERGENCY OPERATION for more detailed information.