Looking for a Gen 1 Top..

Cookieman00x

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Picked up a 93 Viper last weekend... Missing the windows and top... Found some Vipermania windows now I just need to find a top.. PM me if you have something for sale.

Thanks
 

DJ'sviper

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I have a 93. I bought a top from autoform. It looks great. The window slide in the front for access to door handle. I have an extra top. I don't know if it will fit with your viper mania windows. Have an extra pair of canvas windows. I have the original canvas folding top. I put on new exhaust from Borlo. loud but could feel the difference in power. Have all the original equipment that came with the car including bra, interior cover etc.
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Shaggy

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Picked up a 93 Viper last weekend... Missing the windows and top... Found some Vipermania windows now I just need to find a top.. PM me if you have something for sale.

Thanks

Yeah, what's a steal. :D
 

Peter K.

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Years ago I posted the difference with the various gen1 tops. I have several tops. The side arms on the 95 are different from the 93 but you still should be able to get it on the car. The rubber for the side windows are not correct but, again, you could make it work with early window. The windshield curve on the top is different on the 92 and 93. I have both. The 93 top leaves about an inch gap,meaning air comes gussing in.
I was able to get a pair of 94/95 side arms on a 92 top with some mods. BUT, I have never knocked it down and folded it yet. So, currently, I have a frankentop on the car now. A mix of early and later top parts but it work and lets me preserve the like-new ones I have.
BE CAREFUL, don't break the side arms. Treat that top like it is glass.
 

GRANGER73

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The primary reason the 92-early 93 tops are categorized by themselves is that their front latch had a roll pin instead of the flat metal "pad" that was used from late 93-94 and up. Swapping for correct latches will fix that. With the exception of different front latches, 92-96 tops are interchangeable. As for the windows, the design didn’t change (material changed in ‘93) until ‘96 when the sliders were introduced. The gap in the ‘93 it’s likely a front latch issue. If the latch is too long, it won’t seat properly. Typically the side arms don’t break. The rear bar breaks where the side arm connects. Side arms? All you want for $250.00 each.
 
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Cookieman00x

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Peter and Granger .. Thanks alot for the information. These latches on my top are in fact the "pad" style and I noticed a bit of a fitment issue.

I found a set of the pin style and ordered them, we will see how it fits then.


Again, thanks for the info.
 
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DJ'sviper

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I actually have three tops for the 93 viper. Soft top, hardtop (both windows fit both and the auto form top which I really like and just keep on although it is removable.
 

ViperRed

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Ever since buying my car, I have not been able to identify the hard top and windows on it. I have no idea what they are!
 

GRANGER73

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Does the car have the antenna in the windshield or mounted on the driver side rear fender?
 

GRANGER73

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The ‘93 antennae car should have the vinyl/canvas top and the "roll pin" style front latch. My top is a cloth top with the "paddle" style front latch for late (non-antennae) ‘93 thru ‘95 cars.
 
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Cookieman00x

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The ‘93 antennae car should have the vinyl/canvas top and the "roll pin" style front latch. My top is a cloth top with the "paddle" style front latch for late (non-antennae) ‘93 thru ‘95 cars.


You can swap the pins out, Viper Parts store sells a new set. IH-VIP-TOP-PINS

They are 190 so there is a Viper Tax on it. I found a used set for $60 myself.
 
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GRANGER73

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92-93 require different pins that the 94-95. That’s a GEN2 top not really designed for the GEN1. The major issue will be the fitment of the windows. GEN2 has the roll up windows which create the problem.
 

nismoflip

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OK thanks Granger. So it sounds like I either need to look for a 96 hardtop or an aftermarket hardtop specifically made for Gen 1s.
 

GRANGER73

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Any GEN1 top (including the ‘96) will physically fit. Remember the hardtop was not available for the GEN1 until ‘1995 so the front mounting issue wasn’t there from the factory.
All you need is a good original hardtop that should fit with no issue. Expect to pay @$3500 for an original one.
 
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Cookieman00x

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Any GEN1 top (including the ‘96) will physically fit. Remember the hardtop was not available for the GEN1 until ‘1995 so the front mounting issue wasn’t there from the factory.
All you need is a good original hardtop that should fit with no issue. Expect to pay @$3500 for an original one.


Ive seen 1 last year and one this year both New in box at $1800 + SH ... They are out there cheaper, its only $3500 if you buy it from a business.
 

nismoflip

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Granger73, I ended up buying the Gen 2 hardtop. It installed fine and mated up with Vipermania windows really well. Not a rainproof seal to the windows by any means, but certainly no worse than the windows and soft top seal.
 

GRANGER73

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Great. It’s unfortunate that there aren’t more of the Vipermania style windows available.
 
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