daz_au

I have a friend with a hard top only car (64) and wants to make a list of things to make it a convertible top also. I know the rear deck needs to be cut for new latches, has anyone done this and is there a template of sorts ? Is there a "preferred supplier" of the frame, seems there are new reproduction and reconditioned options.

Also, if you put a reconditioned folded top frame in a box, can anyone take a reasonable guess at the dimensions of that box ?

Frankie the Fink

Contact Coffman Corvettes (I can't put their info here as an NSV so do a web search) they are the premier supplier of complete Corvette tops/frames and will tell you everything you need to do...

DUB

I honestly feel that nothing will need to be done to the body because the car came with a convertible top and top frame....because the hard top was an option.

If it is truly different than that...then it must be one of the crazy option delete cars that GM put out.

DUB

daz_au

Yeah its a real hard top only car, apparently not that uncommon for California delivery. Look close at the deck, you can see the small through holes for the hard top, but its missing the larger convertible top latches that most cars have.

DUB

AMAZING!!

So when the deck lid is up...there is no visible signs from the underside that the holes that would hold the convertible deck lid latches have been filled in???

Not disputing you...just amazed.

DUB

NightshiftHD

Daz ... open the deck lid and look underneath ... there will be cut-outs in the inner frame of the deck lid where the soft top latches go. You just have to cut out that pattern in the top layer of the deck lid. All C2 convertibles have the cut-outs in the frame, and hard top only cars did not have the top of the deck lid cut out for the latches.

The attachment plates on each door pillar are also installed ... ready to bolt on your new convertible top. Fyi Bill

daz_au

Great, thanks for the info. All I have to figure out is the best way to do that without messing it up ! It would have made it a lot easier if all the cars came with both

NightshiftHD

I'd mark the hinge locations on the deck lid, then remove the lid and lay upside down. Then use a die grinder with a carbide burr to route out the latch holes to match the cut-out in the inner frame. Easy peasy. Cheers, Bill

DUB

Or I would use my shop vac and route it out and leave the deck lid in place...just one less thing for me to worry about....but I am rather good with using and controlling power tools.

DUB