From my understanding, the snaps were added to the top and frame to help hold the top down and prevent the top from buffeting when driven at higher speeds.

The replacement top would then be made with the snaps on the inside reinforcement band or they were added later on and are visible.

You can contact me if you need any further assistance.

Usually tops frames that did not have a rubber seal against the top side of the door glass would use a flap. It would stop the wind and rain (somewhat!) from entering the passenger
compartment. The flap is premade with blind snaps and sewn to the perimeter of the reinforced top and bound. The pics show the inside of a fabricated flap with snaps on the workbench and completed on the finished top.

Thanks guys. Fred I've seen the style you mentioned. Ive dealt with those before, however on this the frame is way too far in from the outside of the car. It would make the top look funky if that were the case. This is something that I believe is specific to the 33 4 n 5 cabriolet. Eric thats what im looking for. So I understand it that the flap will sew to the very edge of the top before it is bound? And the one in ur pic looks as tho it's reinforced with something stiff, panel board or something? Or is it just laying really flat?

Hi Mike, I make the flap pattern out of 30 gauge clear plastic and use that as a reinforcement. Cover it with top material, add blind snaps and bind. The plastic is only used on the flat flap, pinch and sew the top material to the flap to make a really square, solid corner. I like to have the snaps on either end so to keep the flap straight. Snaps in the center may pull the flap too far inward thereby making it look distorted. Sew the finished flap to the top edge and bind. Any questions feel free to contact me.