XJ-SC Hard Top – are these fittings correct?

Started 8th June 2026 at 08:25 · Adam Singleton

Hi Experts, feeling really chuffed to have recently picked up a Hard Top for my Cab. The thing is that this hard top’s fittings seem a little different to the others I have seen in pics. I’m based in Australia, so anyone in Aus that has a hard top, can you confirm whether these clips / fittings look normal? Also, there is a clip at the centre top of the roof. I have no idea what this attaches to, as I’ve never seen this before either. Any tips, photos of the attachment clips that others actually have on their hard top would be appreciated. Thank you, Adam

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- 9th June 2026 at 22:22 #25934
  
  Brian Buxton
  Participant
  
  Hi Adam
  UK supplied hardtops were fitted with 2-No locating clips on the leading front edge of the hardtop which align with 2-No locating clips on the cars roof centre beam (These are locating clips without any clamps). there is no front centre clamp fitted, There are 2-No clamps fitted the lower rear of the hardtop one on each side as per your photo these attach to the cars body using a bolt which passes through a hole in the clamp a screws into a threaded hole on the body work of the car. The brackets fitted on your hardtop don’t have the holes to allow the clamps to be bolted to the cars body, having explained how UK hardtops fit I see no reason why your clamps should not work as long as you have the correct mating pieces which would need to be mechanically attached to the cars body.
  Hope this helps
- 10th June 2026 at 01:24 #25935
  
  Adam Singleton
  Participant
  
  Hi Brian, thanks very much for your reply. Yes, I have the two 2-No locating clips on the hardtop leading edge so all good there, as they are on my soft top. Not sure why a PO put a central clamp / clip on mine, but I will remove this before getting the headlining recovered.
  It appears I am missing the connecting pieces that bolt to the side c-pillars to receive the hardtop “hooks” on each lower side. Are you by any chance selling these clips that you’ve shown in the pics? They seem to be slightly different hardtop connectors to the ones I have on this roof, and I can see the bolt holes that attach allow for attachment to the c-pillars in your pics. Regards, Adam
- 10th June 2026 at 11:04 #25936
  
  Brian Buxton
  Participant
  
  Hi Adam
  I guess the PO fitted the central front beam clamp as added piece of mind to ensure the top did not detach in the unlikely event of the rear clamps becoming undone, sorry my clamps are not for sale as they are needed for my car. Finding genuine Jaguar Clamps is almost impossible as I have searched everywhere i can think of to find a pair without success. RS Components sell a very similar clamp to the Jag original but differs at the connecting point and is similar to the ones fitted to your hardtop attaching to the C-pillar with a hook arrangement as apposed to a hole/bolt through set up. Good Luck in getting sorted with something that works
  Brian
- 10th June 2026 at 12:12 #25937
  
  Adam Singleton
  Participant
  
  Hi Brian, thanks for your reply mate. Yes, totally understand that you need yours. I took a punt as they were photographed on a sheet of white paper so hoped that they were a spare pair. It’s strange that there appears to be two types of latches used. Perhaps the ones with the eyelet bolt holes that you have were a UK delivered item, and the latches with the hooked ends were an export type. It appears that the latches I have are the same as a friend in the USA’s hardtop. He had to get the C-pillar attachments machined up. I may need to do the same. Appreciate your knowledge and advice. Thank you, Adam
- 11th June 2026 at 11:15 #25943
  
  Brian Buxton
  Participant
  
  Hi Adam
  Many years ago i bought these Latches(Photos Attached) from ‘Pauls Jaguar’ based in America which he sold as an Upgrade/improvement to the Jaguar made Latches which in his opinion were Flimsy and subject to failing which may result in the hardtop detaching from the car which at speed could be highly dangerous. I am not certain if Pauls Jaguar are still in business but it mat worth trying to contact him should you feel these would be right for you, i still have the clamps which i purchased from him which have never been fitted as i managed to source some Jaguar original fitment Latches. I would be happy to sell these if you cant get your hands on any. The last two photos show the C-Pillar hooked end clips which i think would suit the Latches already fitted on your hardtop obviously these would need to be mechanically attached to the C-Pillar, i also have these lying around should you be interested.
  Regards
  Brian
- 13th June 2026 at 07:26 #25956
  
  Adam Singleton
  Participant
  
  Hi Brian, those small hooks look like they would work, but from my understanding, the original “hooks” were a single bolt hole item. Oh, it’s quite interesting that there is so little documented information or photographs of the hard tops fitted with the original clamps, etc. Seems because these pieces are so hard to find, many are having to manufacture things to fit. I may be interested in the hooks you have. I just need to trial fit my hard top and see how far the reach is on the clamps, whether their adjustable screws on each side work correctly or whether the clamps in their current condition are too fragile to use. I really appreciate everything you’ve shared and I will come back to you once I know where I stand. I’m going to put another question on the forum about fitting the hard top, and where the rubbers go, if you have details to share on that too, please. Happy motoring. Thank you, Adam
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