HELP Stolen Hardtop SF/Bay Area [Archive] (2024)

JValta

10th February 2023, 03:09

Hi everyone. I just joined so excuse me if this is the wrong channel to do this, but I joined as I needed some help. Earlier today at the Stonestown mall in San Francisco my hardtop was stolen. I'm going around to several forums and groups putting this out there in case anyone sees or hears anything, or even sees it go up for sale. It is a green OEM hardtop in good condition with only the 2 front windshield clamps attached and no defroster connection. It's very small but on the left hand side, in the corner near the door there is some rusting/wear. If anyone sees anything or has any questions please message me, as I have already filed a police report and will pass the information on. Thank you.
392903

392904

392905

firstgenerationmiata

10th February 2023, 05:40

Storm88000

10th February 2023, 05:42

cduplain

10th February 2023, 07:19

Blue na 1990

10th February 2023, 07:42

huesmann

10th February 2023, 08:37

firstgenerationmiata

10th February 2023, 08:43

With HT prices the way they are, it definitely behooves one to invest in a security solution...

^Yep, that's the real isssue - hard tops are very expensive and in high demand. Attracts low lifes everywhere.

MinJaBen

10th February 2023, 11:20

With HT prices the way they are, it definitely behooves one to invest in a security solution...

Out of curiosity, what do you and others think the best way do do that is if you want to still keep the hardtop and softtop easily interchangeable? I'm guessing something around the rear attachment points that are not incommon with the windshield attachments.

Blue na 1990

10th February 2023, 11:50

MinJaBen

10th February 2023, 11:59

392914

Do you use both or just the rear pair?

no rotors

10th February 2023, 12:17

392914

I use this, too, but just the rear pair.
They've been on for about 10 years. So far, so good.
But even with the fronts on too, a battery-powered angle grinder would make short work of them, so I doubt there is anything that will genuinely keep the top on the car.
Anything we can do will just shortly delay a determined and well-prepared crook.

MK1888

10th February 2023, 13:12

david-p

10th February 2023, 13:16

Out of curiosity, what do you and others think the best way do do that is if you want to still keep the hardtop and softtop easily interchangeable? I'm guessing something around the rear attachment points that are not incommon with the windshield attachments.

A vibration sensitive switch connected to a loud Hella horn? :)

David

Bumblebee351

10th February 2023, 18:03

I have the Retromodern Talons on my car.

https://retromodernusa.com/shop/talon-hardtop-lock-for-na-miata-1989-1997

Bob_MX5

10th February 2023, 19:31

I have the Retromodern Talons on my car.

https://retromodernusa.com/shop/talon-hardtop-lock-for-na-miata-1989-1997

Would you be so kind as to post a photo or 3 of it installed?

b.

Bumblebee351

10th February 2023, 22:19

Would you be so kind as to post a photo or 3 of it installed?

b.

I'd be happy to. I'll post some tomorrow. I got lucky and found mine secondhand. They are the matching key option, the previous owner painted them black and I've just left them that way.

cduplain

10th February 2023, 22:23

Would you be so kind as to post a photo or 3 of it installed?

I'm curious to see these installed, as well.

Blue na 1990

11th February 2023, 06:12

Do you use both or just the rear pair?

I have the Retromodern Talons on my car.

https://retromodernusa.com/shop/talon-hardtop-lock-for-na-miata-1989-1997

I use the front and rear brackets....
The thought of some SOB using a Zip wheel inside my cabin, PO's me..

It's odd that website doesn't have a photo of the Talon lock with that listing

huesmann

11th February 2023, 08:51

Ted Crilly

11th February 2023, 11:54

Using security-type fasteners in place of regular Phillips (or JIS) where possible, and making each fastener a different security type, should help to delay theft.

Security fastners might delay the theft by several seconds, but certainly not prevent.
There have been a spate of hardtop thefts in the South/East Bay in the last couple of years, (possibly by the same persons), and security bolts like those described in this thread appear to be no deterrent. Unfortunately police appear to be unwilling or unable to do anything.

Keeping your car in a locked garage seems to be the only preventative measure. Not an option for everyone of course.

Maybe hiding some sort of tracker where it can’t be easily found, (maybe an AirTag with beeper delete), and getting your car’s VIN etched onto the glass might be prudent. Obviously this wouldn’t prevent another theft, but it may allow the hardtop location to be tracked and provide evidence of it belonging to you should police take the theft and recovery seriously.

caranddriver

11th February 2023, 17:28

In addition to the fasteners, you could invest in a windshield mounted camera that records front and back. Other option is to try to hide an AirTag on it somewhere. You can disable the speaker but Apple has gotten more aggressive at it alerting iPhones that a non-owned one is with them (stupid stalkers). If they use Android they are much in the dark. It is sad we have to all think of these things now. Sorry and good luck. Will keep eye out on it.

I've put AirTags in both of my cars and put them in the trunk in the cubbies on the side with a holder that can hook to the wiring on the sides. Harder to find and and hear if someone gets in the car.

copking

12th February 2023, 03:39

Storm88000

12th February 2023, 07:26

Well unless the thief has a NA, and repaints it - which I doubt - it will be sold somehow. Unlikely to be posted online though especially since one google search about where and when and color brings up this thread.

While I understand why OP posted this of course, as I would, I may have waited about 10 days to see if it came up online like Craigslist or FB marketplace first before the thief became tipped off. Unless they’re fools, and well, one who risks their freedom and limits their options if convicted for the remainder of their lives for the roof of a Miata probably ain’t too bright anyway. So I dunno.

SillyBing

8th March 2023, 16:49

Hi everyone. I just joined so excuse me if this is the wrong channel to do this, but I joined as I needed some help. Earlier today at the Stonestown mall in San Francisco my hardtop was stolen. I'm going around to several forums and groups putting this out there in case anyone sees or hears anything, or even sees it go up for sale. It is a green OEM hardtop in good condition with only the 2 front windshield clamps attached and no defroster connection. It's very small but on the left hand side, in the corner near the door there is some rusting/wear. If anyone sees anything or has any questions please message me, as I have already filed a police report and will pass the information on. Thank you.
392903

392904

392905

What time did this happen? at the front of back of stonestown? I go there all the time and live nearby so this is really concerning for me

ajsmiata

8th March 2023, 17:17