Sydwayz

Can someone please take a measurement for me?
I need the rough overall length and width of a single C3 Corvette T-top. (longest points in each direction)

Along with my C5 Corvette, I have a very rare 1977 Lincoln Mark V that had (Ford version) Hurst Hatches installed at the dealer back in 1977. It's one of 5, ever that had this done.

The trunk on this car is big enough to put most of Corvette inside, and I am looking for a sound way to store & secure the T-Tops when they are in the truck of the car. I like the T-Top Suitcases that a few vendors offer, but I can't find any dimensions for the actual C3 68-82 T-Tops themselves.

(The overall rough dimensions on my Hurst Hatches are 21x24.)

Thank you in advance for your time, and please be certain not to scratch your T-Top when taking the measurements.

Alan 71

Hi S,
71 roof panels.
28" front to back in the center.
21-1/2" side to side at the halo. (22-1/2" if you follow the curve of the panel.)
Regards,
Alan

Sydwayz

Thank you VERY much. My C5's stablemate, "Huggy V" is very grateful. I just ordered the C3 T-Top storage "suitcase" and hopefully it works well.

Alan 71

Hi S,
If you like them BIGGGG, it's not a bad looking car from the 70s!
Regards,
Alan

RockyL32

I have never seen or even heard of a Lincoln with T tops. Nice find

Sydwayz

Thanks guys. I saw this car for sale 2 years ago, and passed on it. I didn't have the storage, and already had too many projects.

I couldn't stop thinking about it though. I love T-Top cars, as I've had several over the years (Monte Carlos/Trans Ams) and including past/present girlfriends with an IROC and a Firebird. The car was obviously T-Tops, but almost the exact same color as my (first car, a) 1983 Monte Carlo, and virtually the same car as my Dad's 1976 Mercury Grand Marquis Brougham (coupe/460) that we had growing up.

I put an ad on Craigslist in Annapolis, where I had looked at the car while back; asking for someone to help me find THIS SPECIFIC car. I got about 20 calls with folks trying to get my finder's fee. Then a call comes in, and this guy had all the facts. Turns out, it's his brother's car.

I go to meet the guy who called me, and he is going to take us over to his brother's house. As soon as the guy I meet gets out of his truck I recognize him. I am terrible with names, but great with faces. I ask him. "Are you a Corvette guy?" Yes, he responds. "Were you at the Zip Corvette Rally/Picnic in Spring of 2015?" Yep, he was there with his 2000 C5. I had my 2000 C5 there at that event; AND my buddy who was riding with me to go get the Lincoln, ALSO has a 2000 C5.

We get to the guy/brother's house with the Lincoln, and I strike a deal and take it home. It turned out to be a little more of a project than I expected, but nothing earth shattering. I did some digging, and I actually found the guy in Pennsylvania who actually took 5 Ford LTD II Hurst Hatch kits, and adapted them to Lincolns Mark Vs. He is the only one that did this, and I've only seen one other Mark V with T-Tops, in Lowrider Magazine; of the SoCal lowrider scene.

We have had some bad storms roll through lately, and have lost or had to take down several trees. Even though everything I have is inside at the moment; trees and hurricanes/tornadoes still have my attention. (A friend 20 miles away lost his whole house to a tornado several weeks back). As such, I keep getting more and more nervous about the T-Tops on the Mark V. I know I'll never be able to replace them.... until this week:

I'm surfing eBay for random Hurst Hatch parts, and a set of 1975 Hurst Olds "Hurst Hatches" popped up on ebay, 19 miles from me. I talk to the chap down road, drive the Lincoln over, and low and behold the Hurst Hatches he has had on the shelf for 16 years, off of HIS car that was hit by a tree...
...FIT my Lincoln.
Serendipitous!!

So now, I KNOW I was supposed to have this car. It gets a crap-ton more attention and looks than my fully modded C5, and I REALLY LIKE BIG CARS; as well as something that nearly no one else has. My Ford F350 is painted legit Hot Rod (flat) Black top to bottom, and that also garners a lot of attention, some not so good. Regardless, I love how my stable has rounded out as of late. I've never driven the C5 and the Lincoln back to back; not sure I could or should. I also found those NOS Luxor wire wheels from a guy who bought a dealer/warehouse from the 70s/80s, and found them on a shelf with about 8 other sets. It also now has original 1970s NOS old school airshocks on the rear as well.

Sydwayz

68-82 T-Tops "suitcase" showed up yesterday, and fits them great. Thanks again!

~Stingray

Hey Alan,

Are these dimensions the same for a 1980?

Alan 71

Hi S,
I'm really not sure.
I believe the hardware changed but I'm not sure about the size of the panels themselves.
???
Regards,
Alan

If I had to bet I'd say they're the same size.