anyone seen this setup before on a Series?

[PH4]

Anyone seen ragtop braces like this on a series before? Mine is stock and does not have the braces along the top. Anyone know why? Benefits? Etc? Just curious.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Land-Rover-Series-III-109-LWB-1980-Land-Rover-Series-III-109-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem415c73deb7QQitemZ28072 3971767QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks#v4-39

[Partsman]

Mine's got the hoops like that, but not the cross braces between them.

[mongoswede]

cannot say whether it is stock or not.

Benefits:

holds shape better
minimizes flapping
prevents puddling

those are the immediate to mind.

[mrdoiron]

Anyone seen ragtop braces like this on a series before? Mine is stock and does not have the braces along the top. Anyone know why? Benefits? Etc? Just curious.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Land-Rover-Series-III-109-LWB-1980-Land-Rover-Series-III-109-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem415c73deb7QQitemZ28072 3971767QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks#v4-39

Seems more common in UK to add cab top, then the rear tub top separately.

[Terrys]

I guess you're refering to the smaller braces betwen the hoops. They can be bought seperately, as it's the same one that runs down the center. The advantage is the canvas doesn't sag so much on a top with some years on it. I can't say whether a packaged hoopset came with the additional ones, but 'packages' are the only way they are sold. My cousins always called them hood sticks.