RIPJWB

I have a red 89 with red interior. Love the car, but it has a white top and I hate that. The top is also just a little ratty. I'm thinking of putting a black top on it.

a) is it terribly hard to do?

b) I see some aftermarket tops offer a glass window. I don't mind the plastic, but is the glass good?

Thanks

MRPVette

I wouldn't consider it a diy job.

RIPJWB

For some reason, I was assuming it is quite difficult.

tunedport85inject

here a sample of a DIY video for soft top installation,there is a link to buy their dvd

RIPJWB

Now that I viewed that, I remember seeing it some time ago. It seems like buying the DVD would be worthwhile unless I could have someplace install the roof for a reasonable price.

KEG64

When I replaced mine I looked into getting one with a glass window but to do it right it added quite a bit to the cost so I stayed with the plastic window. Had quotes of over 1k to have it done, it cost me under $400 to do it myself. Spent the savings on all new weather stripping. It is doable, just take your time. As you remove the old top take pictures. The video helps a lot.

hcbph

I've not done a top but did some reading on it. One thing I was interested in was the glass window and the effect. From what I've read, you need a conversion kit for the top to make it work. Along with that, it apparently takes more space when folded down so you lose storage space when the top is not up.
If that's something you can live with, it seems a useful upgrade.

1bdvet

Here my two cents, first if you are handy do it yourself, and replace the headliner at the same time. Next you will need conversion kit to replace with glass window, which is nice cause your rear window defroster works well. If you do it with rear window, get a pro that has done it before, cause if it closed wrong you will crack the window, and when the top is down you loose storage room.
Good luck on your choice!
If you decide to it yourself, when done, leave it out in the sun with the top to set, any installer will tell you the same thing.

Here is my 1989.

RIPJWB

[QUOTE=1bdvet;1588068182]Here my two cents, first if you are handy do it yourself, and replace the headliner at the same time. Next you will need conversion kit to replace with glass window, which is nice cause your rear window defroster works well. If you do it with rear window, get a pro that has done it before, cause if it closed wrong you will crack the window, and when the top is down you loose storage room.
Good luck on your choice!
If you decide to it yourself, when done, leave it out in the sun with the top to set, any installer will tell you the same thing.


Thank you very much for the advice. I very much like the black top. Your car looks sweet!
Information about the glass window is especially interesting. If I had one major complaint about our C4s, it would be the convertible rear storage space. I think the C5 did a much better job with that. I've yet to really wish I had a glass rear window, but I've continually wished for a little more storage space. It might actually be nice to have one of those little custom-looking trailers.