So what do you do about the center post? Does it go over that?

So tell me why you don't like the Thompson Astro Top?
Here are my likes:
More headroom.
Pretty view of the clear blue sky.
Easy to store in the back.
Storage under the top in the back.
Easy in easy out from the car.
Lite to handle.
Smoke tint matches my car.
Easy to clean.

These are my dislikes;

Not intended for the Vette purist.
Have to be careful not to scratch it.
Finding a safe home for the mounting knobs when not in use.
Did I mention it leaks?

That's about it. Overall I like mine. So much in fact my T's haven't been in the car in over 5 years. But the look all nice and shiny here in the basement.


Tuxblacray2008-06-30 17:51:57

My 79 runs a set of Thompson panels...2 pieces, my Brother also had a set on his 80 but replaced them with a one piece unit after he forgot to lock them down tight and one flew off at speed...ok slightly faster then "speed"  lol

Honestly they have worked fine for me and I have had them on the car for at least 15 years...maybe more .

BTW...Scratches are pretty darn easy to remove ..Nexus Plastic polish plus elbow grease will do it...

Mine do not leak...but I sure had to learn how to tighten them down and adjust them ..only took me a few years to discover how to tighten them down ...

The ONLY thing I do not like and have not been able to fix is the method the rear of each panel is secured...My original panels had a pretty poor attachment latch or whatever you call it in the back,...Thompson at Carlisle one year and I noticed a different sytle latch so I inquired about them and the good folks at Thompson just took my name address etc and a week later I had the new style latches on the car at absolutely no charge...the new ones work better BUT ARE STILL POOR ...

Bob G

I also found that tire shine or Armour All will lift the scratches. As for the latches I am going to send you a PM about those. I am interested in them.

Original T-tops do not have to fit like crap.  There is quite a bit of adjustability in them, and with quality weatherstrip, they don't leak.  And they sure are a lot easier to handle.

Larry

[QUOTE=VetteSpecialties]...Original T-tops do not have to fit like crap.  There is quite a bit of adjustability in them, and with quality weatherstrip, they don't leak.  And they sure are a lot easier to handle....[/QUOTE]

Hey guys I didn't aim for it to sound like the OEM tops are a piece of crap .... they aren't. Fact is mine fit pretty good and I don't have an issue with them.

But, I also see folks slappin the Astro tops around for quite a bit of negative feedback.

Both are fine in there own way. It is my preference to utilize the Astro Top for the reasons I listed above.

Since my Vette iss on the altered side of the spectrum I believe the look is rite for it. If it were more traditional and I leaned more to the purist side I wouldn't have one.