I've recently bought my first Merc, an 1998 SL 320, and given that the weather is beginning to improve, I'm contemplating taking the hard top off.

So, out of curiosity, what do other owners do to keep their tops in pristine condition? I've seen some after market "bags" for sale on eBay, but are they worth the money? Is it worth investing in a stand? Or do I just go and buy a reel of bubble-wrap?

Thanks.

 

[align=left]Not sure what Country you live in, here in the UK there are a number of manufacturers of aftermarket stands & classic car specialists who market hardtop stands.I looked at a couple of sample photos and I built my own out of 3" x 2" timber frame with half inch ply-wood screwed to the frame that is basically an L shape in side profile. I lined the base with two inch polystyrene with one inch polystyrene on the upright. The hardtop sits upright with the rear window lower frame at the bottom resting in the pad of 2" polystyrene. I have a webbing strap to hold it in place that loops into the interior grab handles.I put a dust sheet over it and for £50 I have my stand. If you need to move it around a set of castors can be bought cheaply enough.Being built of timber its pretty heavy and this gives it great stability. I added an end lip just to stop it ever slipping out but thats probably a bit of overdesign.
Hope this helps, tried to take a photo but my digital camera battery is flat !
[/align]

 

Hmmm. I live in the UK too. I like the idea of the home made stand approach...

Thanks.
Lee