Topic: Hardtop retention
in Forum: C3 Interior
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Australia
Joined: 10/27/2010
Posts: 54
Vette(s): Second-month production Shark, this 1968E was built up by original owner into 1969 ZR1 (L88 body with LT1 engine) for Club Racing. Body styling is from Maglioli's 1968 L88 "Le Mans" racer
I've seen more than one type of hardware used to retain the auxiliary hardtop to the decklid; even the assembly instructions seem to show different pins from year to year.
Photos of tops on eBay have shown the pins from the soft top projecting from the cast mount; and others show threaded studs protruding from same; and others must use bolts screwed into the mount from below the deck after the install, as only a threaded hole is showing.
What's best?
1968E (2nd month production) convertible first registered California 1967 and a retired SCCA race car. It is still race prepped and built up as a '69 ZR1 (announced '69 but not built until '70); i.e., the L88 car with LT1 motor.
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Former Member
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
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Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
I've only ever seen threaded studs used to hold a hardtop down...on the rear deck and bolts on the sides. It would seem to make sense to use the same pins the soft top used but maybe the weight of the hardtop makes that impractical. After this many years, it's certainly possible some have been modified to use pins rather than studs.
The only variations I've seen is that hardtops after mid-1969 have three threaded studs rather than two and the deck lids have three receptacle/latches for them rather than two like earlier cars.
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YA...the hardtops must be bolted on...the pins will not hold them. What I remember is what Bruce said...one stud in the center, and two bolts on the sides...
The extra stud in the center for the hard top keeps it fastened down tight on the weather strip, since the hardtop will not "flex" like the rag top will.
The extra stud in the center for the hard top keeps it fastened down tight on the weather strip, since the hardtop will not "flex" like the rag top will.
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Former Member
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Australia
Joined: 10/27/2010
Posts: 54
Vette(s): Second-month production Shark, this 1968E was built up by original owner into 1969 ZR1 (L88 body with LT1 engine) for Club Racing. Body styling is from Maglioli's 1968 L88 "Le Mans" racer
Thanks for all that, but at least on the 68/69 there's no center stud, only the ones on each side (the ones used for the convertible top).
1968E (2nd month production) convertible first registered California 1967 and a retired SCCA race car. It is still race prepped and built up as a '69 ZR1 (announced '69 but not built until '70); i.e., the L88 car with LT1 motor.
Former Member
Send PM
Australia
Joined: 10/27/2010
Posts: 54
Vette(s): Second-month production Shark, this 1968E was built up by original owner into 1969 ZR1 (L88 body with LT1 engine) for Club Racing. Body styling is from Maglioli's 1968 L88 "Le Mans" racer
A bit more research on my part tells me that there are more hold-downs on the auxiliary top than I realised originally. Side latches that are attached inside the top near the window openings, are meant to be screwed into the decklid. My top has the latches, but my decklid was never drilled for the rest of the hardware. I see that Corvette Central sells a full kit of hardware that fills this need.
1968E (2nd month production) convertible first registered California 1967 and a retired SCCA race car. It is still race prepped and built up as a '69 ZR1 (announced '69 but not built until '70); i.e., the L88 car with LT1 motor.
in Forum: C3 Interior
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