CrossedUp

Hi All,

I will be picking up a '65 roadster this Saturday that comes with a hard top that the seller told me wasn't original to the car. I don't plan on ever using it and storage space is tight in my garage. So, for resale value, would it better to keep it with the car or sell it on the parts market?

Thanks
-Doug

Kerrmudgeon

I'd keep it, if not for yourself, for the next owner who may really want one. They are almost impossible to tell the years apart anyway if you're worried about originality. They sell for between 1K and 3K depending on condition. You can buy a cheap hardtop lift system to suspend it over the car like this one so it doesn't take up any floor space in the garage.

gbvette62

It's really up to you, as I don't think that anyone really pays a premium, for a two top car anymore. If you sell it now, you could get a couple grand for it, if it goes with the car later, you likely won't get anything extra for it.

I love how my 62 looks and feels with the hardtop on it, and I use to put it on every winter, but it hasn't been on now in 15 years. I don't know anybody that has a two top car, that actually bothers using the hardtop in cold weather now.

A hardtop's nice to have, but not having one's not going to be a deal breaker, to most potential future buyers.

By the way, I like your avatar. I've always been a Donohue fan, and the Porsche "Turbo Panzer" has to be one of his top 5 rides.

cv67

Definitely hang onto it

Stan's Customs

RK-TECT

Hi Doug,
Congrats on your new Vette... you're gonna love it!! OK, I'm a little biased toward a red/black '65 convertible, but it's a great color combo and an excellent year. I would keep the hardtop. I bought one for my '65 last year and will most likely never use it. I put it on a stand and squeezed it into a storage closet. You can also hang it on a garage wall and not lose any floor space. So why did I buy one if I'm probably never going to use it? Because, in my opinion, it belongs with the car and is otherwise a missing piece. It was also relatively inexpensive and gives the car a completely different and "cool" look when it's on. Enjoy your new ride!

, Roger

Tooth Doctor

Keep it. I love how mine looks with the hardtop.

vettebuyer6369

I'd sell it. Every car I get with a hardtop results in my covering it up and having it take up space until I sell the car. I never use them. And when you sell the car it might be a sight enhancement in the sale... maybe... but when you are done negotiating its not likely you made any more because of it.

If the car originally came with one and that top was date-matched to that car, I'd feel differently.

I'd take the $1500-2000 and run and not deal with storing it.

My latest: (anyone need a '69 HT? )

ifitgoesfast

If you'll never use it, sell it. Not worth keeping, unless you think in the future you may want to go on a long road trip (noise of the soft top will get annoying). The hard top provides a tad more security for the car if taking the car to a restaurant, but if someone wants to steal it, they will. But, if you only go Point-A-To-Point-A, then no need for it.

If you keep it and never use it, there's always a chance it'll get damaged. And the cost of fixing them could be high.

CrossedUp

Thanks for the replies gentlemen,

My daughter has offered some space in her garage to store the top so, I think I'll hang on to it for a while. The car also came with an early set of American Torq-Thrust D wheels that I am going to sell. They're cool old wheels but, IMO, wouldn't look right on a car as original and unmolested as this one.

-Doug

CrossedUp

Saw him lap the field in the '73 Can Am at Laguna Seca. Made for a boring race but an unforgettable experience nonetheless.

wmf62

if YOU EVER DECIDE ON A/C, A HARDTOP IS NICE TO HAVE.
bILL

Workin On 59

I think it's a plus to have it. You can always sell later.
Some folks in hot climates with AC like hardtops as they help keep the heat out.

In June I found the matching hardtop for my black/red 65 on craigslist for sale by a previous owner. I was glad to get it. Now I need to rig up my pulley system to remove/install it as a one person task.

Enjoy your new ride....they are a joy to drive.

Doug

ifitgoesfast

I don't see the extra holes in the pics for the hardtop. If that's the case, you don't intend on drilling holes in your deck, do you?

CrossedUp

Might be hard to see but ...

ifitgoesfast

Yep, those two plus the other two on the forward inside points where the deck lid closes at the door tops.

The other argument to keep is that if you change your mind and want a hardtop, it would be more difficult to perfectly match aged paint (if car and hardtop painted same time same paint).