I had purchased a very cheap
hardtop hoist for my '55 Bird, two years ago. It worked fine but did do some minor damage the top, my fault, because I left it in the
hoist all summer, otherwise it did the job. I got mine from Larry's Thunderbird in California, for $32.00. It consists of 2 small
pulleys, 2 (3"? wide)nylon slings, a nylon rope and a tie-down anchor. The most important
part would be how you secure it to the garage rafters. You still really need 2 people, 1 person can lift it or lower it without any problem, but the extra hands to keep it steady and lined up, mostly when lowering it, is needed. I don't know about the better lifts, but I would think they have the same problem, because unless you are excatly stright under the
hoist, once it is lifted, the top will swing. Also lining it up when you are putting the top back on, is a little tuff for 1 person. I will not be using this on the '02 bird, only because I will be storing the top in my daughters cellar and I will have the help of her husband to get it off and take it down stairs (I have to help him with his Boxter top). At the present time I don't have a garage.
This is not a plug for Larry's and you can buy this
hoist from almost any "little bird"
parts dealer, but here is their phone number if you want to call them 1-800-854-0393 and ask about it or buy it.
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2002 Black/Black/Full Red
1957 Starmist Blue
1981 Shay ('55 Reproduction)(just sold it)