996 Cabriolet Hood Replacement (Glass window)

[John Ware]

I have a 2001 pre-facelift C4 Cabriolet with the (dreadful) plastic rear window. I've spotted that GAHH in California have developed a replacement hood with a heated glass rear window. I've researched in the UK and currently I haven't found anyone who's offering a similar product for the 996, although there are several available for the Boxster.

Has anyone fitted one of these replacement hoods to a 996? If so, is it any good as I'm very tempted to import one.

[djantlive]

If you top is going bad, you should defly replace it with this one. GAHH has an excellent reputation. Their glass Boxster top works well and fits great. So, no doubt the 996 one will be top quality. You can buy it on eBay and have it shipped to you.

[nycebo]

the only things to watch out for is that the glass rear window may be surprisingly small. It'd definitely worth comparing the measurements between stock and GaHH though I've not seen any data yet.

[John Ware]

From what I've seen on their website, the window is smaller than the plastic one. It would appear that the top of the glass is (logically I suppose) around where the top of the fold is in the plastic one, which cuts down the size quite a bit. However, I've experimented with the plastic top and there's still a reasonable view so it should be ok.

I've also found their UK supplier, www.carhood.com, who market their Boxster top. They're not prepared to sell the 996 version until it's had plenty of customer testing in the US, so they're expecting it to be available around the end of the year.

[djantlive]

Isn't the stock glass window smaller than the plastic one too?

[John Ware]

Isn't the stock glass window smaller than the plastic one too?

I believe so but I understand the hood for the "facelift" cars is a totally different design as a whole so it won't fit the early ones without changing the frames and the mechanism.

[Kim]

I believe so but I understand the hood for the "facelift" cars is a totally different design as a whole so it won't fit the early ones without changing the frames and the mechanism.

That is correct. A newer, Porsche OEM 996 cab top with a glass back window cannot be simply installed on a 996 that came with a plastic window. Much is different, including the shape/size of the recess into which the top folds and stows.

The discussion here is about a recently released after market top for the 996 which incorporates a glass back window approximately the size of the Boxster's. The window is much smaller .... creates sort of s Speedster look .... which I assume is to allow it to fit into the older cars' smaller recess.

[raleighcab]

I actually talked to one of the sales reps at GAHH when I was recently looking at tops. They are actually using the same exact glass they use on the Boxter tops. So in my opinion it looks kind of strange because of the much smaller size in proportion to the roof than stock. Some people might not mind it though.