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View Cart1998-03 Saab 9-3 & 9-3 SE Convertible Top and Convertible Top Parts
Important Information | New: Custom Fit Car Covers
Original Fabric:
The original fabric (on dealer cars) was the German Sonnenland canvas. This is the longest wearing of all toppings and is featured also on late model Porsches and Mercedes.
Alternate Material(s):
Sonnendeck canvas, Haartz Stayfast canvas, and Chrysler Sailcloth vinyl.
About The Materials:
• Haartz Stayfast Canvas has a canvas outer layer and a preshrunk cotton inner layer. The two are bonded with and separated by a butyl rubber core. It is this core that makes the fabric last a very long time, with both better static and dynamic wear ratings than vinyl toppings. Haartz Stayfast is the American substitute for the German canvases used in Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, some models of Mustang and Lebaron and others. Canvas is widely regarded as "richer looking" than vinyl. It is a little harder to clean. The inside of the top is pre-shrunk cotton. The inner lining is usually black. If you do not see a canvas top listed for your car, please inquire and we will provide a quotation for it.
• Sonnendeck Canvas (also called 'Twillfast') is an American made canvas, true double texture topping like the Haartz Stayfast. Many purists who own Mercedes and other German cars want to see the particular German weave (that is called "dobby weave") when they look up inside the car. Haartz Stayfast canvas has a plain (unwoven) inner lining. So for Porsche, Mercedes and BMW owners who will spend a little more in order to see that "dobby" weave we offer a fabric called Sonnendeck (in addition to the original German Sonnenland or Happich canvas. The wear rating of Sonnendeck is also greater than for Haartz, by perhaps 10%. This is due to the slightly heavier inner lining and subtle bonding specification differences.
• German Sonnenland Canvas is the original German made canvas used in many Mercedes, Porsche, BMW and other convertibles. It's general construction is very similar to the other two canvases. It is hard to tell the surfaces apart among the three. But the manufacturing specifications make this the longest lasting top. There is an approximate twenty percent greater wear rating for Sonnenland than for Haartz Stayfast. Some of this is due to the abrasion resistance of the exterior canvas. This is a factor in certain tops where the framework design tends to produce friction between the top's surface and the car's hardware. (It is a well known 'trade secret' that the Haartz Division of Glen Raven Mills purchased the Sonnenland factory.)
• Chrysler Sailcloth is featured on many late LeBarons, Sebrings, certain Mustangs and other cars. It is structurally (wear quality) equivalent to the Haartz Pinpoint but has a different surface grain. The grain was designed to imitate the look of canvas. As you can see from the scan of this fabric, it is an exceptionally rich looking material. It is sometimes chosen for replacing convertible tops that originally featured pinpoint vinyl.
Special note: You Must Retain Original Window:
Your existing window is transferred into the new top. We now have available replacement defroster glass windows (selection E above).
Headliner:
The headliner is the interior roof covering. The old headliner, if in good condition, may be re-installed under a new top. Headliners are listed under "Accessories." We have the original gray over taupe cloth fabric replacement.
Care in Raising and Lowering Top:
We pass on advice from Saab dealer service bulletins: raise and lower your top carefully. Abrasion and pinching have caused premature damage to these Saab tops due to the frame design.
Hold Down Cables:
During installation a cable is threaded into in interior (cable pocket) hem on each side of the top. The cables attach the front and rear corners of the top to the framework. New cables are listed under "Accessories."
Covercraft Custom Fit Car Covers
Since 1965 Covercraft has pioneered the market for custom fit vehicle car covers and today are the largest manufacturer of custom-patterned vehicle covers in the world. They have over 67,000 patterns, and are continually growing. Still family owned, Covercraft has always maintained the highest standards, utilized the finest materials and remained on the cutting of manufacturing technology.
Parts in this category (Saab 9-3 & 9-3 SE) fit cars for years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.
We a now pleased to offer hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic motor pumps, and hydraulic hose sets. Also, checkout our newly added roof rail weatherstripping seals, front header weatherstripping seals, door weatherstripping seals, trunk weatherstripping seals. Look for extra savings on weatherstripping seals kits.
