Subject: Re: [Spridgets] Story about a hardtop

From: Rick Fisk via Spridgets <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:38:09 -0400

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Hi Tim,

You did a great job in restoring that top and I'm really happy that it went t=
o someone who appreciates it.  What I don't understand though is that when w=
e had so much trouble loading it in or on your car why didn't we just load i=
t into my Suburban and take it to your house?  :)

I traded a Bugeye fiberglass front end last fall for a couple of engines and=
 had no trouble delivering it in my Expedition which replaced the Suburban. =
=20

Rick

> On Mar 24, 2026, at 9:15=E2=80=AFAM, Tim Collins via Spridgets <spridgets@=
autox.team.net> wrote:
>=20
> =EF=BB=BF
> Back in  September of 2022 Rick Fisk posted a Spridget hardtop as a give a=
way item. After a day or so I sent Rick a note saying if no one else wanted t=
he hardtop I would take it rather than have it get trashed. Rick responded; "=
Come and get it." Several others were interested until they learned where Ri=
ck lives.=20
>=20
> I'm 33 miles away from his home so getting the top was "easy." Easy is in q=
uotes because I don't have a truck. I drove to Rick's in my (at the time) 20=
02 Mercury Sable "grandma car." - inherited from my mother-in-law. The top w=
ouldn't fit in the car easily no matter how we twisted it. I finally lashed i=
t to the open trunk lid - partly in the trunk - and drove home.=20
>=20
> My wife had passed away 5 months prior so I thought this would make a good=
 project to keep me busy.
>=20
> Here's what I learned about restoring a fibreglass hardtop;
> I don't like working with fibreglass
> Free is quite expensive
> Parts may be available - somewhere else in the world, but not nearby
> Some parts are not available - anywhere
> I had fun with the project! Maybe the most important part of this story.
>=20
> The hardtop was missing one sidelight. I made a pattern and went to a glas=
s company with an aluminum pattern to be sure I would get a perfect fit. On t=
he second try they made a window that matched the pattern. The cost was in t=
he neighborhood of $168, but it is tempered glass as it should be. McGregor B=
ritish Car Parts in Canada was able to provide most trim and seal parts exce=
pt for the window seals for the sidelights. I never did find an exact replac=
ement so I ended up buying the closest size I could find and then trimmed so=
me off to fit. It's not perfect, I couldn't use the lock strip, trade offs w=
ere made. I chose a MG blue paint, Iris Blue - I don't know why, it just wor=
ked for me.
>=20
> It isn't that heavy, but putting it on by myself wasn't easy and as I get o=
lder it won't get any easier. So, I put a hoist on the ceiling of my garage w=
hich also provides an elevated storage location. That's another story.
>=20
> Thanks again to Rick for the hardtop!!!=20
>  =20
> Here's some before and after pics.
> <sprite top 2.jpeg>
>=20
>=20
> I couldn't find a good pic of the sidelights in the weather seal. These pi=
cs have temporary plastic sidelights.=20
>=20
> Tim Collins
>=20
> ------------------------
>=20
> [email-masked]
>=20
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation: $12.75
>=20
> Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/spridgets  http://autox.team.net/ar=
chive
>=20
> Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/spridgets/refisk=
@chartermi.net

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<html class=3D"apple-mail-supports-explicit-dark-mode"><head><meta http-equi=
v=3D"content-type" content=3D"text/html; charset=3Dutf-8"></head><body dir=3D=
"auto"><div dir=3D"ltr"></div><div dir=3D"ltr">Hi Tim,</div><div dir=3D"ltr"=
><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr">You did a great job in restoring that top and I'=
m really happy that it went to someone who appreciates it. &nbsp;What I don'=
t understand though is that when we had so much trouble loading it in or on y=
our car why didn't we just load it into my Suburban and take it to your hous=
e? &nbsp;:)</div><div dir=3D"ltr"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr">I traded a Buge=
ye fiberglass front end last fall for a couple of engines and had no trouble=
 delivering it in my Expedition which replaced the Suburban. &nbsp;</div><di=
v dir=3D"ltr"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr">Rick</div><div dir=3D"ltr"><br></di=
v><div dir=3D"ltr"><img alt=3D"image0.jpeg" src=3D"cid:mf_E885DD24-6727-4C8A=
-A59F-4230B1481E4D/L0/001"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><br><blockquote type=3D=
"cite">On Mar 24, 2026, at 9:15=E2=80=AFAM, Tim Collins via Spridgets &lt;sp=
[email-masked]&gt; wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote type=
=3D"cite"><div dir=3D"ltr">=EF=BB=BF<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_def=
ault" style=3D"font-size:small">Back in &nbsp;September of 2022 Rick Fisk po=
sted a Spridget hardtop as a give away item. After a day or so I sent Rick a=
 note saying if no one else wanted the hardtop I would take it rather than h=
ave it get trashed. Rick responded; "Come and get it." Several others were i=
nterested until they learned where Rick lives. <br><br>I'm 33 miles away fro=
m his home so getting the top was "easy." Easy is in quotes because I don't h=
ave a truck. I drove to Rick's in my (at the time) 2002 Mercury Sable "grand=
ma car." - inherited from my mother-in-law. The top wouldn't fit in the car e=
asily no matter how we twisted it. I finally lashed it to the open trunk lid=
 - partly in the trunk - and drove home. <br><br>My wife had passed away 5 m=
onths prior so I thought this would make a good project to keep me busy.<br>=
<br>Here's what I learned about restoring a fibreglass hardtop;<br>I don't l=
ike working with fibreglass<br>Free is quite expensive<br>Parts may be avail=
able - somewhere else in the world, but not nearby<br>Some parts are not ava=
ilable - anywhere<br>I had fun with the project! Maybe the most important pa=
rt of this story.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small=
"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">The hardt=
op was missing one sidelight. I made a pattern and went to a glass company w=
ith an aluminum pattern to be sure I would get a perfect fit. On the second t=
ry they made a window that matched the pattern. The cost was in the neighbor=
hood of $168, but it is tempered glass as it should be. McGregor British Car=
 Parts in Canada was able&nbsp;to provide most trim and seal parts except fo=
r the window seals for the sidelights. I never did find an exact replacement=
 so I ended up buying the closest size I could find and then trimmed some of=
f to fit. It's not perfect, I couldn't use the&nbsp;lock strip, trade offs w=
ere made.&nbsp;I chose a MG blue paint, Iris Blue - I don't know why, it jus=
t&nbsp;worked for&nbsp;me.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-s=
ize:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">=
It isn't that heavy, but putting it on by myself wasn't easy and as I get ol=
der it won't get any easier. So, I put a hoist on the ceiling of my garage w=
hich also provides an elevated storage location. That's another story.</div>=
<div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D=
"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">Thanks again to Rick for the hardt=
op!!!&nbsp;</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">&nbs=
p;&nbsp;</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">Here's s=
ome before and after pics.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-s=
ize:small"><div>&lt;sprite top 2.jpeg&gt;</div></div><div>&lt;20240912_16321=
4.jpg&gt;</div><br><div>&lt;20250528_084837.jpg&gt;</div><br><div class=3D"g=
mail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">I couldn't find a good pic of the si=
delights in the weather seal. These pics have temporary plastic sidelights.&=
nbsp;</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div>=
<div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">Tim Collins</div><div=
 class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div></div>
<span>------------------------</span><br><span></span><br><span>spridgets@au=
tox.team.net</span><br><span></span><br><span>Donate: http://www.team.net/do=
nate.html</span><br><span>Suggested annual donation: $12.75</span><br><span>=
</span><br><span>Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/spridgets &nbsp;http=
://autox.team.net/archive</span><br><span></span><br><span>Unsubscribe/Manag=
e: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/spridgets/[email-masked]</spa=
n><br></div></blockquote></body></html>=

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------------------------

[email-masked]

Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/spridgets  http://autox.team.net/archive

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From: daredelvis--- via Spridgets <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2026 07:12:11 -0700

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No joke about how hard fiberglass is to work with. I lost my factory Bugeye h=
ardtop in a fire. Hagerty gave me $4500 for it based on a used one for sale o=
n eBay ($900+$300 shipping), and $3300 to restore it.=20

> On Mar 24, 2026, at 6:18=E2=80=AFAM, Tim Collins via Spridgets <spridgets@=
ck lives.
uotes because I don't have a truck. I drove to Rick's in my (at the time) 20=
02 Mercury Sable "grandma car." - inherited from my mother-in-law. The top w=
ouldn't fit in the car easily no matter how we twisted it. I finally lashed i=
t to the open trunk lid - partly in the trunk - and drove home.
 project to keep me busy.
chive
>=20
> Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/spridgets/darede=
[email-masked]

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"auto"><div dir=3D"ltr"></div><div dir=3D"ltr">No joke about how hard fiberg=
lass is to work with. I lost my factory Bugeye hardtop in a fire. Hagerty ga=
ve me $4500 for it based on a used one for sale on eBay ($900+$300 shipping)=
, and $3300 to restore it.&nbsp;</div><div dir=3D"ltr"><br><blockquote type=3D=
"cite">On Mar 24, 2026, at 6:18=E2=80=AFAM, Tim Collins via Spridgets &lt;sp=
e: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/spridgets/[email-masked]</spa=

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------------------------

[email-masked]

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---

From: Aol via Spridgets <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:50:53 +0000 (UTC)

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=20

    On Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 10:49:19 AM EDT, Aol <[email-masked]=
t> wrote:  =20

  Nice job Tim. Now, put it on with appropriate side curtains and go for a =
drive.
You will hear mechanical noises from your car you thought impossible!! HaHa=
.
Best, CB

It isn't that heavy, but putting it on by myself wasn't easy and as I get o=
lder it won't get any easier. So, I put a hoist on the ceiling of my garage=
 which also provides an elevated storage location. That's another story.
Thanks again to Rick for the hardtop!!!=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0Here's some before=
 and after pics.

I couldn't find a good pic of the sidelights in the weather seal. These pic=
s have temporary plastic sidelights.=C2=A0
Tim Collins
------------------------

[email-masked]

Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/spridgets=C2=A0 http://autox.team.ne=
t/archive

[email-masked]
   =20
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<html><head></head><body><div></div>
        <div><br></div><div><br></div>
       =20
        <div id=3D"ydpbff0160cyahoo_quoted_5177792483" class=3D"ydpbff0160c=
yahoo_quoted">
            <div style=3D"font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, s=
ans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#26282a;">
               =20
                <div class=3D"ydpbff0160cquoted-text-header">
                        On Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 10:49:19 AM EDT, Aol =
&lt;[email-masked]&gt; wrote:
                    </div>
                </div><div style=3D"font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica=
, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#26282a;border-left: 1px solid #cc=
c;padding-left: 8px;margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px" class=3D"ydpbff0160cinline_rep=
ly_quote_container" data-split-quote-node=3D"true">
                <div><br></div><div><br></div>
                <div><div class=3D"ydp3c3abe20yahoo-style-wrap" style=3D"fo=
nt-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><div></div>
        <div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false">Nice job Tim. Now, put it on=
 with appropriate side curtains and go for a drive.</div><div dir=3D"ltr" d=
ata-setdir=3D"false"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false">You w=
ill hear mechanical noises from your car you thought impossible!! HaHa.</di=
v><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-se=
tdir=3D"false">Best, CB</div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><br></d=
iv><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><br></div></div><div id=3D"ydpa22=
6737dyahoo_quoted_4741620371" class=3D"ydpa226737dyahoo_quoted"><div class=
=3D"ydpa226737dyahoo-style-wrap" style=3D"font-family:Arial, Helvetica, san=
s-serif;font-size:16px;"><div style=3D"font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvet=
ica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#26282a;border-left: 1px solid =
#ccc;padding-left: 8px;margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px" class=3D"ydpa226737dinline_=
reply_quote_container" data-split-quote-node=3D"true"><div><div id=3D"ydpa2=
26737dyiv7364989010"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div style=3D"font-size:small;" class=
=3D"ydpa226737dyiv7364989010gmail_default"><br></div><div style=3D"font-siz=
e:small;" class=3D"ydpa226737dyiv7364989010gmail_default">It isn't that hea=
vy, but putting it on by myself wasn't easy and as I get older it won't get=
 any easier. So, I put a hoist on the ceiling of my garage which also provi=
des an elevated storage location. That's another story.</div><div style=3D"=
font-size:small;" class=3D"ydpa226737dyiv7364989010gmail_default"><br></div=
><div style=3D"font-size:small;" class=3D"ydpa226737dyiv7364989010gmail_def=
ault">Thanks again to Rick for the hardtop!!!&nbsp;</div><div style=3D"font=
-size:small;" class=3D"ydpa226737dyiv7364989010gmail_default">&nbsp;&nbsp;<=
/div><div style=3D"font-size:small;" class=3D"ydpa226737dyiv7364989010gmail=
_default">Here's some before and after pics.</div><div style=3D"font-size:s=
mall;" class=3D"ydpa226737dyiv7364989010gmail_default"><img src=3D"cid:EmTH=
nfgDL907Ujv0JFym" alt=3D"sprite top 2.jpeg" data-inlineimagemanipulating=3D=
"true" style=3D"width: 562px; max-width: 640px;"></div><img src=3D"cid:pUDj=
Bpy1SioVOoBsyoDA" alt=3D"20240912_163214.jpg" data-inlineimagemanipulating=
=3D"true" style=3D"width: 422px; max-width: 800px;"><br><img src=3D"cid:lel=
7zR26Snqdd2Ut3PTz" alt=3D"20250528_084837.jpg" data-inlineimagemanipulating=
=3D"true" style=3D"width: 562px; max-width: 800px;"><br><div style=3D"font-=
size:small;" class=3D"ydpa226737dyiv7364989010gmail_default">I couldn't fin=
d a good pic of the sidelights in the weather seal. These pics have tempora=
ry plastic sidelights.&nbsp;</div><div style=3D"font-size:small;" class=3D"=
ydpa226737dyiv7364989010gmail_default"><br></div><div style=3D"font-size:sm=
all;" class=3D"ydpa226737dyiv7364989010gmail_default">Tim Collins</div><div=
 style=3D"font-size:small;" class=3D"ydpa226737dyiv7364989010gmail_default"=
><br></div></div>
</div>------------------------<br><br><a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]=
m.net" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank">[email-masked]</a><br><=
br>Donate: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/donate.html" rel=3D"nofollow" tar=
get=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>Suggested annual dona=
tion: $12.75<br><br>Archive: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/sprid=
gets" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/spri=
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target=3D"_blank">http://autox.team.net/archive</a><br><br>Unsubscribe/Mana=
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izon.net" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank">http://autox.team.net/mailman/=
options/spridgets/[email-masked]</a><br></div>
            </div>
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[email-masked]

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From: Weslake1330 via Spridgets <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:51:43 +0000

--===============2217304568028898159==

--0000000000008b11c1064dc720e6

--0000000000008b11c0064dc720e5

Looks for very nice so does your car on wire spoked wheels.

On Tue, 24 Mar 2026 at 13:17, Tim Collins via Spridgets <
[email-masked]> wrote:

> Back in  September of 2022 Rick Fisk posted a Spridget hardtop as a give
> away item. After a day or so I sent Rick a note saying if no one else
> wanted the hardtop I would take it rather than have it get trashed. Rick
> responded; "Come and get it." Several others were interested until they
> learned where Rick lives.
>
> I'm 33 miles away from his home so getting the top was "easy." Easy is in
> quotes because I don't have a truck. I drove to Rick's in my (at the time)
> 2002 Mercury Sable "grandma car." - inherited from my mother-in-law. The
> top wouldn't fit in the car easily no matter how we twisted it. I finally
> lashed it to the open trunk lid - partly in the trunk - and drove home.
>
> My wife had passed away 5 months prior so I thought this would make a good
> project to keep me busy.
>
> The hardtop was missing one sidelight. I made a pattern and went to a
> glass company with an aluminum pattern to be sure I would get a perfect
> fit. On the second try they made a window that matched the pattern. The
> cost was in the neighborhood of $168, but it is tempered glass as it should
> be. McGregor British Car Parts in Canada was able to provide most trim and
> seal parts except for the window seals for the sidelights. I never did find
> an exact replacement so I ended up buying the closest size I could find and
> then trimmed some off to fit. It's not perfect, I couldn't use the lock
> strip, trade offs were made. I chose a MG blue paint, Iris Blue - I don't
> know why, it just worked for me.
>
> It isn't that heavy, but putting it on by myself wasn't easy and as I get
> older it won't get any easier. So, I put a hoist on the ceiling of my
> garage which also provides an elevated storage location. That's another
> story.
>
> Thanks again to Rick for the hardtop!!!
>
> I couldn't find a good pic of the sidelights in the weather seal. These
> pics have temporary plastic sidelights.
>
> Tim Collins
>
> ------------------------
>
> [email-masked]
>
> Unsubscribe/Manage:
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/spridgets/[email-masked]
>

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<div dir=3D"ltr">Looks for very nice so does your car on wire spoked wheels=
.</div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=3D"ltr=
" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Tue, 24 Mar 2026 at 13:17, Tim Collins via Spridg=
ets &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">[email-masked]=
t</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin=
:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"=
><div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">Ba=
ck in =C2=A0September of 2022 Rick Fisk posted a Spridget hardtop as a give=
 away item. After a day or so I sent Rick a note saying if no one else want=
ed the hardtop I would take it rather than have it get trashed. Rick respon=
ded; &quot;Come and get it.&quot; Several others were interested until they=
 learned where Rick lives. <br><br>I&#39;m 33 miles away from his home so g=
etting the top was &quot;easy.&quot; Easy is in quotes because I don&#39;t =
have a truck. I drove to Rick&#39;s in my (at the time) 2002 Mercury Sable =
&quot;grandma car.&quot; - inherited from my mother-in-law. The top wouldn&=
#39;t fit in the car easily no matter how we twisted it. I finally lashed i=
t to the open trunk lid - partly in the trunk - and drove home. <br><br>My =
wife had passed away 5 months prior so I thought this would make a good pro=
ject to keep me busy.<br><br>Here&#39;s what I learned about restoring a fi=
breglass hardtop;<br>I don&#39;t like working with fibreglass<br>Free is qu=
ite expensive<br>Parts may be available - somewhere else in the world, but =
not nearby<br>Some parts are not available - anywhere<br>I had fun with the=
 project! Maybe the most important part of this story.</div><div class=3D"g=
mail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_defau=
lt" style=3D"font-size:small">The hardtop was missing one sidelight. I made=
 a pattern and went to a glass company with an aluminum pattern to be sure =
I would get a perfect fit. On the second try they made a window that matche=
d the pattern. The cost was in the neighborhood of $168, but it is tempered=
 glass as it should be. McGregor British Car Parts in Canada was able=C2=A0=
to provide most trim and seal parts except for the window seals for the sid=
elights. I never did find an exact replacement so I ended up buying the clo=
sest size I could find and then trimmed some off to fit. It&#39;s not perfe=
ct, I couldn&#39;t use the=C2=A0lock strip, trade offs were made.=C2=A0I ch=
ose a MG blue paint, Iris Blue - I don&#39;t know why, it just=C2=A0worked =
for=C2=A0me.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><b=
r></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">It isn&#39;t=
 that heavy, but putting it on by myself wasn&#39;t easy and as I get older=
 it won&#39;t get any easier. So, I put a hoist on the ceiling of my garage=
 which also provides an elevated storage location. That&#39;s another story=
.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><di=
v class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">Thanks again to Rick fo=
r the hardtop!!!=C2=A0</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size=
:small">=C2=A0=C2=A0</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:s=
mall">Here&#39;s some before and after pics.</div><div class=3D"gmail_defau=
lt" style=3D"font-size:small"><img src=3D"cid:ii_mn4lnaps0" alt=3D"sprite t=
op 2.jpeg" width=3D"562" height=3D"422"></div><img src=3D"cid:ii_mn4morjz1"=
 alt=3D"20240912_163214.jpg" width=3D"422" height=3D"562"><br><img src=3D"c=
id:ii_mn4morp32" alt=3D"20250528_084837.jpg" width=3D"562" height=3D"422"><=
br><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">I couldn&#39;t fi=
nd a good pic of the sidelights in the weather seal. These pics have tempor=
ary plastic sidelights.=C2=A0</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"fo=
nt-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:sm=
all">Tim Collins</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small=
"><br></div></div>
------------------------<br>
<br>
<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">spridgets@aut=
ox.team.net</a><br>
<br>
et=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>
<br>
Archive: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/spridgets" rel=3D"norefer=
rer" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/spridgets</a>=C2=A0 <a=
 href=3D"http://autox.team.net/archive" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank=
">http://autox.team.net/archive</a><br>
<br>
ets/[email-masked]" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://auto=
x.team.net/mailman/options/spridgets/[email-masked]</a><br>
</blockquote></div>

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------------------------

[email-masked]

--===============2217304568028898159==--

---

From: "Bill L. via Spridgets" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2026 11:02:57 -0700

Hello Weslake1330,

Here's my hardtop story..

I saw one on ebay for $600, local pickup only.The guy had completely restored it for his Mk IV Sprite, but after finishing it he found it didn't fit as it was for a MK III. Lucky Me!  It was on the east coast, Florida or the Carolinas, I can't remember exaclty. I communicated with the guy and he agreed to ship to Washington state, if I would pay for the boxing materials. Well, he made the box so big and heavy that it could only be shipped motor freight.  I paid him $400 for the plywood, and he shipped it. That shipping was $500! So now I'm into it for a $1000. They wouldn't deliver it from Portland so I had to borrow a truck from my neighbor to pick it up. The truck got 10 mpg and it was 120 mile round trip so there was another $60. We unloaded the truck opened up the box, took out the top and I went into the house.  About an hour later the police came knocking on my door asking me if it was my truck in the ravine! I had forgotten to set the brake and the truck rolled back, across the street and over the edge! The offered to pull it out, but since I have AAA I called them so it wouldn't cost me anything for that at least. Turns out the frame was bent and the truck was a total loss. Of course I had to replace the truck as my neighbor didn't have coverage for that and either did I. We found a replacement for $1400. All in my top cost me nearly $2500, on a car I paid $2000 for. But it IS a nice top and MK III tops are the rarest of them all. 

-- 
Best regards,
 Bill                            mailto:[email-masked]

Man who pick nose - head cave in.

------------------------

[email-masked]

---

From: Tim Collins via Spridgets <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:31:56 -0400

--===============1832765282733313369==

--0000000000001f1fa5064dca37b4
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

I assume that you are a bachelor!
Tim

On Tue, Mar 24, 2026 at 2:56=E2=80=AFPM Bill L. via Spridgets <
[email-masked]> wrote:

> I saw one on ebay for $600, local pickup only.The guy had completely
> restored it for his Mk IV Sprite, but after finishing it he found it didn=
't
> fit as it was for a MK III. Lucky Me!  It was on the east coast, Florida =
or
> the Carolinas, I can't remember exaclty. I communicated with the guy and =
he
> agreed to ship to Washington state, if I would pay for the boxing
> materials. Well, he made the box so big and heavy that it could only be
> shipped motor freight.  I paid him $400 for the plywood, and he shipped i=
t.
> That shipping was $500! So now I'm into it for a $1000. They wouldn't
> deliver it from Portland so I had to borrow a truck from my neighbor to
> pick it up. The truck got 10 mpg and it was 120 mile round trip so there
> was another $60. We unloaded the truck opened up the box, took out the to=
p
> and I went into the house.  About an hour later the police came knocking =
on
> my door asking me if it was my truck in the ravine! I had forgotten to se=
t
> the brake and the truck rolled back, across th
>  e street and over the edge! The offered to pull it out, but since I have
> AAA I called them so it wouldn't cost me anything for that at least. Turn=
s
> out the frame was bent and the truck was a total loss. Of course I had to
> replace the truck as my neighbor didn't have coverage for that and either
> did I. We found a replacement for $1400. All in my top cost me nearly
> $2500, on a car I paid $2000 for. But it IS a nice top and MK III tops ar=
e
> the rarest of them all.
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/spridgets/[email-masked]
>

--0000000000001f1fa5064dca37b4
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">I a=
ssume that you are a bachelor!</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"f=
ont-size:small">Tim</div></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_co=
ntainer"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Tue, Mar 24, 2026 at 2:56=
=E2=80=AFPM Bill L. via Spridgets &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]=
m.net">[email-masked]</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=
=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rg=
b(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">Hello Weslake1330,<br>
<br>
<br>
Here&#39;s my hardtop story..<br>
<br>
I saw one on ebay for $600, local pickup only.The guy had completely restor=
ed it for his Mk IV Sprite, but after finishing it he found it didn&#39;t f=
it as it was for a MK III. Lucky Me!=C2=A0 It was on the east coast, Florid=
a or the Carolinas, I can&#39;t remember exaclty. I communicated with the g=
uy and he agreed to ship to Washington state, if I would pay for the boxing=
 materials. Well, he made the box so big and heavy that it could only be sh=
ipped motor freight.=C2=A0 I paid him $400 for the plywood, and he shipped =
it. That shipping was $500! So now I&#39;m into it for a $1000. They wouldn=
&#39;t deliver it from Portland so I had to borrow a truck from my neighbor=
 to pick it up. The truck got 10 mpg and it was 120 mile round trip so ther=
e was another $60. We unloaded the truck opened up the box, took out the to=
p and I went into the house.=C2=A0 About an hour later the police came knoc=
king on my door asking me if it was my truck in the ravine! I had forgotten=
 to set the brake and the truck rolled back, across th<br>
=C2=A0e street and over the edge! The offered to pull it out, but since I h=
ave AAA I called them so it wouldn&#39;t cost me anything for that at least=
. Turns out the frame was bent and the truck was a total loss. Of course I =
had to replace the truck as my neighbor didn&#39;t have coverage for that a=
nd either did I. We found a replacement for $1400. All in my top cost me ne=
arly $2500, on a car I paid $2000 for. But it IS a nice top and MK III tops=
 are the rarest of them all. <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
-- <br>
Best regards,<br>
=C2=A0Bill=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:Zormecteon@comc=
ast.net" target=3D"_blank">[email-masked]</a><br>
<br>
<br>
Man who pick nose - head cave in.<br>
<br>
------------------------<br>
<br>
<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">spridgets@aut=
ox.team.net</a><br>
<br>
et=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>
<br>
Archive: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/spridgets" rel=3D"norefer=
rer" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/spridgets</a>=C2=A0 <a=
 href=3D"http://autox.team.net/archive" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank=
">http://autox.team.net/archive</a><br>
<br>
ets/[email-masked]" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://autox.tea=
m.net/mailman/options/spridgets/[email-masked]</a><br>
</blockquote></div>

--0000000000001f1fa5064dca37b4--

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------------------------

[email-masked]

--===============1832765282733313369==--

---

From: Ryan Kubanoff via Spridgets <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:04:22 -0400 (EDT)

Bill you win best story!
Ryan

> On 03/24/2026 2:02 PM EDT Bill L. via Spridgets <[email-masked]> wrote:
> 
>  
> Hello Weslake1330,
> 
> 
> I saw one on ebay for $600, local pickup only.The guy had completely restored it for his Mk IV Sprite, but after finishing it he found it didn't fit as it was for a MK III. Lucky Me!  It was on the east coast, Florida or the Carolinas, I can't remember exaclty. I communicated with the guy and he agreed to ship to Washington state, if I would pay for the boxing materials. Well, he made the box so big and heavy that it could only be shipped motor freight.  I paid him $400 for the plywood, and he shipped it. That shipping was $500! So now I'm into it for a $1000. They wouldn't deliver it from Portland so I had to borrow a truck from my neighbor to pick it up. The truck got 10 mpg and it was 120 mile round trip so there was another $60. We unloaded the truck opened up the box, took out the top and I went into the house.  About an hour later the police came knocking on my door asking me if it was my truck in the ravine! I had forgotten to set the brake and the truck rolled back, across th
>  e street and over the edge! The offered to pull it out, but since I have AAA I called them so it wouldn't cost me anything for that at least. Turns out the frame was bent and the truck was a total loss. Of course I had to replace the truck as my neighbor didn't have coverage for that and either did I. We found a replacement for $1400. All in my top cost me nearly $2500, on a car I paid $2000 for. But it IS a nice top and MK III tops are the rarest of them all. 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Best regards,
> Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/spridgets/[email-masked]
------------------------

[email-masked]