Reutter softtop #65589

[Siegfried Vonderau]

Dears,

Winter is coming closer and I would like to restore the softtop of my 1600 Super 90 B convertible (March 1960). According to the plate it is a "Reutter-Verdeck" numbered #65589. Unfortunately the setup is not original to simply rebuild it. Therefore I would have the following questions:

(1) Currently it's single-ply, but originally there is a headliner/roof lining in tan?

(2) Is there any relining between outer shell and roof lining? What kind of material?

(3) Currently the rear window is fixed with a zipper, which is to be unzipped before opening and folding the softtop. Is it correct for a B convertible?

(4) Are there any aluminium trims INSIDE on the softtop (i.e. wood pillars left & right)?

(5) Anything else specific?

Thanks in advance for your support and any photo would be fantastic.

Sincerely,
Siegfried

[Greg Bryan]

If your car is a cabriolet, yes it had a headliner and sound insulation between the layers.
The Roadster, also made in 1960, has a single layer top.
Sorry, these pics aren't so good - from the top and frame I bought for my car
I restored the frame and K&H European Auto Upholstery replaced all the soft materials. I'm very happy with the job they did.
There are other well regarded upholsterers around as well.

[Siegfried Vonderau]

Thank you, Greg, for your quick feedback. Indeed, it is a Convertible and not a Roadster.

Siegfried

[Jim Alton]

Siegfried,

You also asked about the zippered rear window. According to both Brett Johnson's The 356 Porsche, A Restorer's Guide to Authenticity and the [free download] Porsche Parts Catalog, the zippered rear window was not introduced until the T6 body style in 1962.

So, the zipper seems to be incorrect for your car. The zipper was just about the only change in cabriolet tops from the beginning of the T2 body in 1958 till the end of production. Some people put the zipper on earlier cars for better ventilation and less scratching on the rear window. It's your car and your choice.

By the way, Verdeck numbers were discussed in the thread 356C Soft Top Question a while back. Verdeck # 65402 came with chassis # 156809 (built a bit before July 1962).

[Martin Benade]

If the zipper was added to the T6 does that mean it is OK to open the top without unzipping the window? With my old top I never unzipped it for opening. How important is that?

[Siegfried Vonderau]

Dear Jim,

Thank you for this heipful information. Like Martin I would also be interested to understood, if it is recommendable to have/use a zipper (even when it is not original for the car)? It is certainly a bit cumbersome to unzip, but if it shields the plastic window it is worth doing so.

Kind regards,
Siegfried

[Jim Alton]

I've never owned a soft-top with a zippered window so I'm going by what I hear. Unzipping the window when lowering the top should limit scratching on the rear window (I put an old towel in mine). It also gives a ventilation option.

I've also been told that you should zip or unzip the rear window with the top unlocked from the windshield to keep tension off the rear window.

[Tom Coughlin]

I'll second what Jim says (and I know from sad experience that the zip/unzip has to be done with the top unlatched). I have found that the plastic is like a magnet for fine dust that acts like sandpaper if the plastic rubs on itself (the pre-03 Boxster is a fine example). Lowering the window probably helps keep the plastic clear, and I have learned to always wet wipe and pat the plastic dry to eliminate the "sandpaper".