What is this top strap for?...

[PaulE]

I think they help the top stow properly when folded and help the plastic coated wire bead to seat into the hard plastic folding frame over the top of the door window when the top goes up. They seem to come off a lot of Boxsters. Both of mine came off a few years ago and I sewed them back in by hand, what a pain in the @$$ to push the needle through the canvas and the plastic edge of that beading. A lot of folks leave them off after they come off without any ill consequences.

[Boxtaboy]

Originally Posted by PaulE

I think they help the top stow properly when folded and help the plastic coated wire bead to seat into the hard plastic folding frame over the top of the door window when the top goes up. They seem to come off a lot of Boxsters. Both of mine came off a few years ago and I sewed them back in by hand, what a pain in the @$$ to push the needle through the canvas and the plastic edge of that beading. A lot of folks leave them off after they come off without any ill consequences.

Thanks for the feedback Paul. I looked at where the strap is connected to the top, and you're right....it looks really tough to get that sucker sewn back in, and with my fat fingers, I'd end up making a mess of the top I think! I think as long as my top opens and closes fine, I'll just leave it off then, as I don't see how my top operates any different on the side that is missing the strap at all.