rstackjd

This winter's project is going to be replacing the top on my 'vert. I'm 99% likely to go to a cloth top (vinyl now) but figured I'd see if there is any reason (aside from cost) to consider vinyl instead.

Thoughts?

blue88conv

I made that same choice (cloth) last winter based on look more than anything. I understand the vinal and cloth tops will last about the same amount of time, but the cloth will look better toward the end.

SJW

Vinyl tends to shrink with age. This can cause fitment problems. Canvas will not shrink, so your top will open and close years later as well as it does when the top is brand new. Canvas also won't hold wrinkles if you leave the top stowed for extended periods of time (I've left mine down for months many times). I recommend canvas.

Be well,

SJW

corvetteronw

I have had both and recommend the canvas for the same reasons.

rstackjd

All good points thanks - look slike my initial plan of cloth was the right one.

Sad part is I've found a great price on a cloth tan top for an '88 (no easy feat) but the weather strip is going to cost more than the top itself

Ah well, what else is there to do over the long cold Wisconsin Winter hey?

96LT4

My GS had vinyl and was a PITA to keep clean. The red car had cloth and was very easy to clean as long as you kept it protected.

My vote, cloth.

AORoads

Wow that's bad news that the ws is more than the top! Long and cold, ahhh yes. When does it start getting really cold in your area? And when do you consider it ended?

Oh, btw, I like the canvas, too, but I've only driven vinyls. And they are just ok.

rstackjd

It's all relative. I consider "really cold" zero and below so therefore - January, but it's in the 30's by mid-late November. Similarly, as far as I'm concerned it "ends" in mid-late march when most of the snow is gone. I've been known to drop the top in March/April if we get above 60 degrees just becasue I have too! Course my wife won't drive with me on those days

I lived in Nashville for 8 years (miss that weather) and when I first moved here I was shivering by October, but eventually I fattened up and now its no problem.

Lichen

CLOTH! and tan would look awesome on your car. When my black cloth wears out, I plan on replacing it with a cloth tan/saddle top. Ever seen a C5 electron-blue with a saddle-colored top? It's beautiful?

rstackjd

yeah, its got a tan (saddle) vinyl right now and saddle intereior, so sticking with tan/saddle. Though white with a GS stripe is really tempting but that means a whole new interior too - way too much $

VinceC4

I have a tan cloth top..it is original and now after 11 years its time to replace it..one question..the inside of the top is black, is this two pieces one outside and one inside?

rstackjd

Mine is on my '88 - top (tan) and liner (black) - two seperate pieces

VinceC4

Thanks..now I have to deal with two pieces..