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Topic: Thompson Astro Tops?

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Re: Thompson Astro Tops? (2/12)
10/24/15 11:21pm

Sarge81

Lifetime Member
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.

Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

I've never had any personal experience with these tops, but I've heard more negative feedback than positive on them through various threads on different Corvette forums.

Years ago I was thinking about trying one, but opted for my black glass tops instead due to the bad things I was hearing about them.

|UPDATED|10/24/2015 8:21:37 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

3.54 Dana 44

'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975

Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.

Lifetime Member #26

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Re: Thompson Astro Tops? (3/12)
10/25/15 7:58am

Jeffm
Former Member
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Sebago Lake, ME - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary L82 4spd (M21) Red Leather. Pace Car is in the hands of a new caretaker.

Joined: 2/15/2007
Posts: 964

I traded in an old pair with cracked glass at Corvettes at Carlisle about 7-8 years ago. Think I paid about 500 with the cores. Best thing I did, they still look great and I'm thrilled with them. They aren't glass so you do have to be careful cleaning them, but it's no big deal. They are also very light. A whole lot lighter than the glass pair on the Pace Car which makes it easier tucking them in behind the seats.

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Re: Thompson Astro Tops? (4/12)
10/25/15 10:25am

jim in oregon
Former Member
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Milwaukie, OR - USA

Vette(s):
'78 Silver Anniversary T Top coupe,58k orig miles. THM350 auto, 350 L48, JBM headers,Oyster White interior,.as of Nov '15 in process of painting.

Joined: 10/19/2015
Posts: 71

Thanks for the replies and input do far..Sarge, what sort of specifically 'bad things' did you hear?.

Mid America has an application instructional on glass LOF GLASS T Tops for the 68-82 corvettes..their part # for the tops & instruction sheet is 600-258..

Made with original components and refitted by factory with new glass to original specs..

Some detailed instructions on initial installation and adjustments for a good fit..which I think would be applicable for ANY new replacement T Top using original hardware, latches etc regardless of material for the clear T Top itself..

Theirs are designed to fit about 1/8" higher in the rear than the roof itself..Not sure IF the original chevy glass t tops fit that way or not..Jim

|UPDATED|10/25/2015 7:25:05 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: Thompson Astro Tops? (5/12)
10/25/15 11:16am

Sarge81

Lifetime Member
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.

Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

Two top complaints were they rattled and squeaked more than regular t-tops and they scratch very easy.

______________

GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

3.54 Dana 44

'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975

Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.

Lifetime Member #26

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Re: Thompson Astro Tops? (6/12)
10/25/15 2:29pm

Rattle & squeak... and scratch easily.???.HMMM.

I'll investigate with Thompson concerning what minor adjustments might be done for rattling( which shouldn't be happening if fit is proper and adjustment proper)

Original T Tops and Glass T Tops DO have adjustments for close to perfect fitting and proper tightness-latch-water sealing..including some service bulletins on enlarging /elongating mounting holes in car where rear mounting brackets fit.

Not sure how the acrylic 'glass' part would easily get scratched..unless they were handled-stored carelessly or subjected to substandard automatic car wash( does ANYONE take their C3 thru the car wash?..:() or had abrasive cleansers used on them..or improperly cleaned when very dusty-dirty..

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Re: Thompson Astro Tops? (7/12)
10/25/15 3:33pm

Redwoman
Former Member
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Bellingham, MA - USA

Vette(s):
1980 loaded red on red. 68,000 original miles. Second owner. Well documented with all original paperwork. NCRS Founders Award 9/27/14. NCRS Top Flight 10/12/14.

Joined: 6/23/2014
Posts: 175

I know a guy who had the them and he never was able to stop the leaks no matter how many times they were adjusted. His second complaint was how easy they scratched . If you have seen when plexiglass gets scratched that's what it looks likes and it can't be fixed. At least with real glass if it scratches the glass repair place can get scratches out.

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Re: Thompson Astro Tops? (8/12)
10/26/15 9:48am

dwa175
Former Member
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leesburg, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1979 coupe and now 2007 c-6

Joined: 7/19/2014
Posts: 195

can we get a pic Beer

dwa

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Re: Thompson Astro Tops? (9/12)
10/26/15 12:50pm

DWA,

here's their website..I'm going to call and speak with them later today..Jim

http://astrotops.com/

(created live link-aapple)

|UPDATED|10/26/2015 9:50:47 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: Thompson Astro Tops? (10/12)
10/26/15 3:34pm

wetvet
Standard Member
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Lake Oswego, OR - USA

Vette(s):
1972 Steel Cities Gray T Top. Original Owner, Original Paint and Interior. The running gear has been rebuilt. only 250,000 miles on the clock..

Joined: 10/17/2003
Posts: 553

I have a set of them on my Corvette. Bought them new in 1974. Yes they do squeak a bit. I just put some cotton in the slots in the "T Top" and that cured it. Mine are the 2 piece "T Top" type, not the 1 piece. Additionally mine has glass not Plexiglas. Yes, I've see the Plexiglas ones and they do scratch easily.

As far as taking your C3 Corvette through a CAR WASH.....I DON"T THINK SO !!!!! Pinch

|UPDATED|10/26/2015 12:34:13 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: Thompson Astro Tops? (11/12)
10/26/15 8:28pm

Again, I have a pair and I am happy with them and would buy them again if needed.
Will they scratch? Yes. I have one minor scratch after 8 years and I run the car about 2000 - 3500 miles per summer. Most of the time they are off but they are on and off a lot. They do have the tiny swirl marks from cleaning and wiping down just like you see in a black paint job but that doesn't bother me at all.
Can they break or crack like my old glass tops did? No way.
Do they leak? I thought all C-3 T tops leaked.
Are they noisy? Aren't all C-3's?
I believe they take old frames and rebuild them with new weatherstripping.
You can add or remove shims under the latches to get them to set properly. I use these tops on both my '78's and they fit fine.
If a car is not going to be judged and you don't want to worry about expensive glass I think acrylic gives you a good bang for the buck. And I love the weight difference.
Too bad you would have to pay shipping both ways if you send cores in.
Jeff

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Re: Thompson Astro Tops? (12/12)
10/27/15 9:35am

dwa175 said: can we get a pic Beer

dwa

Can't send pics he HAD a set and he replaced them with real glass. The 1/8 higher then body is how they are suppose to fit. I have the original sun visor sleeve with the warning instructions not to push down on top it is 1/8 inch higher.
Consider how often you have the tops on. How original is the rest of car. Do you plan on having the car judged. Will affect the resale value if you plan on selling it.

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