Obvious Question -- Soft Top on 1973 450SL

[HalVaughan]

I'm sure this has an obvious answer, but it seems so obvious, I can't find it anywhere. I just recently bought a 1973 450SL in really good condition. The mechanic I bought it from is highly recommended by several friends of mine and has a good reputation, but sometimes he's too busy to answer all my questions, which is understandable. I'd really like to figure this out soon, since we have several days of great weather and I just rigged up a hoist to pull the hard top off.

While I'm taking the chance to drive around topless (at last!), I'd also like to try out the soft top. The thing is I'm not quite sure how to do it. I've looked at some pictures (http://www.zianet.com/SLlover/page71o.html) to get examples of it, but I can't get the horseshoe shaped cover (that the back of the hard top rests on) to lift up. I don't want to force anything, and I've tried the handle I used to release the hard top in different positions, but it doesn't make a difference. I can't find any other catches, releases or controls to use.

So what do I do to release the soft top so I can put it up? I'm really hoping to try it out while I've got a few days of warm weather.

Thanks!

Hal