Pinnin Hardtop Restoration

The Issue of Latches

Latches for the Pinnin top are an offen discussed topic. Most have never seen the original latches. My theory is that the rear latches were so difficult to install and remove, that the owners either declined to install them, or removed them after a short time. I don't remember where I found this drawing on the internet, but here is a fiat instruction sheet, probably for a dealer, on how to assemble the weather stripping and latches. I hope that it will help in identifying how the latches interact with the car. Who knows, now that you know what they look like, you might even have a set in the side pockets of your spider and didn't realize it!

The original Pinnin rear latches look like this. This assembly replaces the two small chrome hooks that are normally on the rear deck of the spider to fasten the top boot. It's a diecast chrome plated cover that screws down onto a simple angle bracket that uses the the existing chrome hook holes.

The single screw goes into a threaded hole on the bracket. The angle is shown top view here. The bracket is not easily removed, so the top is really a semi-permanent mounting. I guess the reason there are not many of these things around is that they are a pain, and most owners discarded them.

In reality, the bottom bow of the top itself is quite weak and would easily be pulled away from the window with very little effort. I have had a window partially pop out when going over a pretty big bump once and decided to leave the bottom bow hooks loose. I guess other owners had similar things happen to them. After a couple of bad experiences either the dealers or the owners probably removed them. The latches are little more than cosmetic.  The hooks provide some small security and don't pull down on the back bow too much. Also they are much easier to install and the chrome hooks for the tonneau cover can remain installed.

For the time being, I found some triangular hooks with a welded eye at the hardware store and reshaped them blacksmith style with a torch. The hooks look nice and work well, so for now, they stay.

The side latches are another matter entirely. They are sturdy overcenter latches. Here one is shown with the hard to find and easily lost turnbuckle and hook assembly that is so often missing. The hook is placed either under the top frame or in a round hole in the top pivot bracket fastened to the car. The overcenter lever assembly bolts securely to probably the strongest part of the top. The steel reinforced window frame stamping. This is encased in solid fiberglass and you could probably lift the car with it. At any rate, these two latches and the front two window latches are plenty to secure your top to your car.

Turnbuckle Nuts I have not found a suitable substitute for the turnbuckle barrel nuts or the latch assembly. One of my tops camer with the commonly available aluminum hardware store pieces. I don't think they work very well and have commissioned as duplicate of the originals machined for the reverse metric thread of the stock fiat upper threaded rod and I've made tthe bottom of them threaded for commonly available 10-24 threaded hooks custom bent for the application. The bolts run about $55 a set.

Overall, the Pinnin top is the lightest and I think the most attractive tops available for the spider today. There are other tops that run a close second place. The Coachman top with its side windows and the SnugTop with it's Pinnin like look are quite attractive.

The targa top shown here is a German copy of the Pinnin top with a removable center section. I believe that it is still available in Europe.

 

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