Cadillac Allante, 1987-93
Convertible Top and Convertible Top Parts
- Quality: Made to Cadillac specs, 100% fit guarantee.
- Original Configuration: Use with original factory rear window.
- Included with the Top four escutcheons with threaded shanks and nuts, covered in matching Topping material, also included complete set of side Tension Cables (4 pcs).
- Original Factory Material: Sonnendeck (Twillfast) Canvas
- Alternate Materials: Haartz Stayfast Canvas
- Shop with confidence: Robbins tops come with 5 year factory warranty witn 18 month labor allowance.
Important Information
Original Factory Color(s): Black, Tan and Light NeutralThe rear window in the Cadillac Allante is independent of the convertible top. All aftermarket Allante tops are "tops only" and are intended to be installed in conjunction with the existing rear window.
Fabrics:
The original Allante top was canvas, usually Sonnendeck canvas (also called twillfast.) The three canvases available are Haartz Stayfast, Sonnendeck and German Sonnenland. The three are very difficult to tell apart. They differ primarily in their manufacturing techniques and the resulting wear ratings. Please also see the remarks under "Headliners:" (The price differences among these Allante tops reflect the wear ratings differences.) We are also offering a Haartz pinpoint vinyl top for the Allante convertible.
Escutcheons:
The attachment escutcheons along the frame bows are most often removed from the old top and reused in the new top. We offer replacement black escutcheons for those whose old ones have been damaged. Also we can cover escutcheons in the fabric of your choice. Escutcheons are listed under "accessories."
Hold Down Cables:
These cables allow the installer to duplicate the original cable lengths. Cables attach the top to the frame along the sides of the frame.
Headliner:
The headliner we supply is the black cross hatch 'dobby' weave headliner like the original. It is made with a reinforced back. The weave of the headliner matches the inner weave of Sonnendeck and Sonnenland canvas. Stayfast has a plain (not 'dobby') weave, as does the pinpoint.
Do-It-Yourself Installation:
We have a step by step installation manual for removing and installing the top. This manual was written by an amateur installer. There is no sewing involved in the installation which should be within the capabilities of the handy, patient Allante owner.
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Please note that there were some problems associated with the original design of the top's frame system. GM issued several technical service bulletins in this regard. These should still be available from your Cadillac dealer. They include bulletins with the following numbers: T-88-27, T-88-64, T-88-65, T-90-40, T-90-43, T-92-43. These bulletins delineate problems ranging from weatherstrips to frame rattling. Our tops are manufactured in accordance with original specifications and cannot be expected to overcome inherent design difficulties inn the frame which have not been corrected or noted. It would be wise to exercise caution whenever this top is raised or lowered and to "baby it" into position.
Almost all manufacturers use Haartz fabrics. They may specify "heaviest weight" or "original replacement" in ways that seem reassuring. But they do not really tell the whole story. Please bear in mind that two things dominate, by far, the quality issue: (a) the manufacturing quality control in the factory that makes the top and (b) the care and thoroughness of the installation. There is a trade-off in weight: heavier is better for resisting tear through, but lighter is better for flexibility and abrasion from within that may arise from movement. Almost all our tops are a flexible medium density (36 oz.) fabric. Heavier is not better in most cases. Where it is, because of the top design, we will say so and the top will be made of the heavier vinyl.
- Sonnenland® is a German-made 3-ply topping made up of an acrylic twill-weave facing, a rubber inner-layer, and a polyester "dobby backing." The dobby backing is a knit-like weave original to many high-end foreign cars. Customers who value originality over cost often pay top dollar for Sonnenland, just to have that authentic "dobby backing," seen only when you look up at the roof of your convertible top from inside your car. Sonnenland canvas is a top-of-the-line material original to various Audi, BMW, and Jaguar convertibles, among others. Sonnenland Canvas can vary in terms of surface weave and/or weight for acoustic performance, but all Sonnenland Canvas promises elegance and long-lasting durability.
- Twillfast®, also called Sonnendeck Canvas, is an American-made canvas - a cost-effective substitute for Sonnenland. Twillfast is usually a 3-ply topping (though some versions are 5-ply) with Polyester and/or Polyester/cotton backings. This material, original to certain Camaro, BMW, Mustang, and VW Beetle convertibles, among others, varies in terms of surface weave and/or weight for acoustic performance. Twillfast Canvas is identical to Sonnenland Canvas - elegant and durable - only it's less expensive. This is a top-notch convertible top material, one we often recommend to savvy customers who like a good buy and a quality product.
- Stayfast Canvas is an elegant, durable canvas original to cars like the Mazda Miata and the Nissan 370Z. Stayfast is commonly used in replacement convertible tops. Stayfast canvas has an acrylic square weave facing, a rubber inner-layer, and a cotton backing. As with other canvases, the rubber core gives the fabric long-lasting durability. Stayfast canvas is a sleek, beautiful canvas, usually less expensive than Twillfast, but it does not have the dobby backing offered in Sonnenland and Twillfast (Sonnendeck). Stayfast is a popular upgrade to vinyl convertible tops, and as with any canvas, is richer looking and has a higher wear rating than convertible tops made of vinyl.
- Haartz Pinpoint Vinyl is the most popular fabric. This vinyl design is original to most American cars from the fifties to the nineties. Pinpoint refers to the little dots or pips that you see if you look closely at the vinyl surface. European cars, such as the old Beetles and others also used pinpoint vinyl as the topping fabric.
- 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.
- Cabrio Grain is also structurally equivalent to the pinpoint. It has a pigskin outer grain vinyl as original to Volkswagen Cabriolets from 1984 onward and to Mazda Miatas and Mercury Capris.
- A5S German Canvas (Robbins) The 100% Acrylic Twill Weave Surface Cloth receives a special flame singing treatment to remove the fabric knap; and is laminated to Black 100% Polyester Dobby backing.
This is the original topping for Porsche Boxster and Cabrio convertible tops. 59 inches (150 cm) wide, made in Germany. - British Bison Vinyl is the most popular British roadster convertible top material. It is American made Haartz leather grain vinyl and is an imitation of the British Everflex vinyl top fabric. The British Bison Vinyl convertible top fabric is often referred to as 'crush grain.'
- British Everflex Vinyl We are now pleased to offer British Everflex Vinyl for classic English tops. This is the original material used on British convertibles including Jaguar, Rolls Royce and many others. Imported from England, British Everflex vinyl is a supple vinyl with a rich appearance and is more durable than other vinyls. A good, less expensive alternative is Colonial grain vinyl. Colonial has the same texture but is less durable.
- HV Denim (also called Twill Weave Vinyl) is heavy duty sport material composed of a distinctive twill grain PVC outer layer and a polyester/cotton blend inside lining fabric.
- Trilogy Acoustic Vinyl A heavyweight vinyl that is often used on SUVs like Jeep, because the two-ply composite has the capacity to reduce noise by about 20 percent compared to standard vinyls like Sailcloth. The vinyl material is durable, promises long-lasting wear-and-tear, and resembles the sleek twill cloth commonly found on luxury convertible cars.
- Haartz Twillfast RPC This American-made canvas has a twill weave pattern and resembles German-made Sonnenland canvas. It is a great all-purpose canvas and, according to Haartz, is used on 99 percent of convertibles. It is stronger and more durable than Stayfast Canvas and offers more sound protection. Haartz rates Twillfast RPC as a mid-level acoustic product, compared to the low-level sound reduction offered on other top materials like Stayfast
Parts in this category (Cadillac Allante) fit cars for years: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993.