Has anyone ever replaced a "droptop" themselves? I did a dumb yesterday while doing the winter prep job on "The Toy" which resulted in cracking the plastic window from side to side (don't ask!). If it isn't too difficult a job I would consider taking it on myself sometime over the winter. I'd appreciate any words of widom, tips, or "gotcha's".

Thanks!

Ouch thats gotta hurt. no i can't say that i have ever done a new top. thoough i have had a few done on camaros by convertible top shops. it dosen't look that difficult but i would order a complete new screw set for the top before i tried it. you might have a shop look at installing just the new window in. i had a friend had that done on his top though it wasen't a stingray.

Damn Jim, sorry to hear that. I kinda remember shops that would sew in a new plastic window on the old muscle cars but have never looked at the back window on the Vette hard enough to even know if it can be done. Can't even begin to guess what that kind of an operation would cost but I bet they would have to remove the top to do it and then would ( probably ) have to stretch it and refit it when they put it back together.
I just looked in Eckler's and a whole new top is $199.00 including the pad. Corvette Central offers a soft top installation video for rent for $15.00 ( 50 minus 35 when returned ). It may be worth the $15.00 just to see what you might be getting yourself into.
Good luck !

I don't know if just replacing the window would work. Reading about the replacement tops in a couple of catalogs they mention "electronically sealed seams", which to me means trouble. Besides, when the window popped it also tore into either side of the top an inch or so (it was a lot colder outside than I realized). I don't think the top is the original one, but it has been on there for quite awhile based on how yellow the window had gotten. It will be a good time to redo the weather stripping on the top as well.

Thanks for the tips on the screw set and the video. If anyone out there already has that video in their library and would be willing to loan it out, I'll gladly cover the round trip postage and throw in a little extra to cover a beverage of your choosing (send me an e-mail for address details).


Jim O.
Save the Wave...!!!

I replaced my top... there's a company here that's the distributor to many of the convt. top companies, and I just bought it directly from them. I want to say that it cost me around $150 or so, and it fit perfectly! They give you a warranty on the top if you have it professionally installed, but obviously that won't be the case here.

As far as installation goes, I found a website that had it step-by-step, and although the directions weren't 100% perfect, they were enough to get you there, and you can figure out little things yourself. It takes a while to do it for the first time, but after that, you can probably start changing them like you change your socks :) Okay, well, not THAT easy, but close.

I think the website addy is:
http://rowleycorvette.com/repairs.html

There's another one but it looks like it's just pictures:
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/convtop.html

Imran - 74 Convt

thanks for the great links. I'm sure i will have to tackle this project someday.

I have replaced a convertible top on a 1962 vette, and it wasn't too hard. I ordered it from ECklers with the pads and it turned out nice.The top fit very well. I don't recommend replacing the tacking strips because they were a pain. I never did a c 3 vette though.

Thanks for the links! The one for Rowley Corvette is fantastic...!!! I saw a top out on eBay from Al Knoch for a "Buy-it-Now" price of $178, which is a bit under the prices in the catalogs I have. Imran, what is the name of that outfit near you? Like you said, if they supply other places why not save a few bucks and skip the middle man's markup.

Thanks!


Jim O.
Save the Wave...!!!

Sorry for the late response... I'm trying to find that receipt!

I'll post it on here as soon as I find it

Imran

Good news!

Got the contact info for that company..

Autotops Inc.
813-621-0006

Ask for Derrick

I want to say I got mine for around or less than $150. They have their own little shop that cuts the tops out with the window. You'll need to re-use some of your old top parts, like the trim in the front (the little bulging piece). But it fits great, and you can do it yourself, or if you take it to a reputable shop, this company even warrantees their product. Of course if you install it yourself, they don't warranty it.

Call them up and see how much Derrick quotes you and let me/us know

Imran - 74 Convt