[blinkwatt]

Any tips for treating the top?

Raggtop Top Cleaner for the top, followed w/ a lint roller to clean up after your done washing the car. Now as for the plastic window, find Plexus,I've used w/ great results everytime and I haven't seen it do anything I would warn others about.

Is the plate under the rear, supposed to be bent over the rear anti-swat bar? (mine is bent into a v-shape to go under the rear axle sway-bar?

This is what it's supposed to looks like;
http://www.renntech.org/forums/uploads/post-2-1116527104_thumb.jpg

How do I know if the previous owner installed a short shifter?

Are the shifts short & notchy or long & smooth?

Any tips for a new owner?

Have fun w/ your new toy!