c1 hard top
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,394
Likes: 1,188
From: Lexington,NC,USA
C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Prices will range from $1000 for something needing complete restoration to $5500 for a perfectly restored NCRS correct top from these folks:http://www.thehardtopshop.com/ Expect to pay around $2500 for something usable.
They pop up occasionally on ebay and here on the forum in the C1/C2 parts section, and I have seen a few for sale at Carlisle. One of the main things to look for in a purchasing a top is to make sure all of the stainless trim is there. The weatherstripping, windows, liner, and most of the stainless can be purchased from The Hard Top Shop but it is pricey.
Restoration of a C1 hardtop is not simple. There are stainless steel rivets to remove/replace if you replace the windows and weatherstripping and removing/replacing the front stainless trim takes patience. There are also some threaded rivets holding the front weatherstripping that are a bit tricky to remove.
If you are not necessarily looking for a "correct" top, a '58,'59,'60 top will fit your car but I believe the headliner and some of the inside stainless is different on the '58 top. A 61-62 top will not fit your '59. All the windows are date coded if that is a consideration.
Charles
They pop up occasionally on ebay and here on the forum in the C1/C2 parts section, and I have seen a few for sale at Carlisle. One of the main things to look for in a purchasing a top is to make sure all of the stainless trim is there. The weatherstripping, windows, liner, and most of the stainless can be purchased from The Hard Top Shop but it is pricey.
Restoration of a C1 hardtop is not simple. There are stainless steel rivets to remove/replace if you replace the windows and weatherstripping and removing/replacing the front stainless trim takes patience. There are also some threaded rivets holding the front weatherstripping that are a bit tricky to remove.
If you are not necessarily looking for a "correct" top, a '58,'59,'60 top will fit your car but I believe the headliner and some of the inside stainless is different on the '58 top. A 61-62 top will not fit your '59. All the windows are date coded if that is a consideration.
Charles
Last edited by cbernhardt; Apr 7, 2007 at 06:58 AM. Reason: Addition
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,404
Likes: 45
From: Arlington Tx
St. Jude Donor '08
I might sell mine. It needs resto but its a great start. Its only missing 2 small stainless parts. Its an early '58 top. Are you in Austin, Austria or Australia?? I might have found another one that's already colored like my car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,117
Likes: 19
From: Portlandia Oregon
The last two I sold were both complete driver quality. They were usable as is but the rubber was hard and needing to be replaced. I sold one for $2500 and the other was $2700. They are a pretty big job to restore if you have never worked with one before.
oWEN
oWEN
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Verdad Gallardo
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 206
Likes: 45
From: SC SC
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14, '20
hard top on ebay
Hi, try this link, there is on for sale on ebay ending on April 17, item #
150111381877
http://cgi.ebay.com/1958-1962-Chevy-...QQcmdZViewItem
150111381877
http://cgi.ebay.com/1958-1962-Chevy-...QQcmdZViewItem
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,901
Likes: 751
From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
Hi, try this link, there is on for sale on ebay ending on April 17, item #
150111381877
http://cgi.ebay.com/1958-1962-Chevy-...QQcmdZViewItem
150111381877
http://cgi.ebay.com/1958-1962-Chevy-...QQcmdZViewItem
Bill
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 572
Likes: 1
From: Foxboro Ma
If you are able to find a top that needs some restoration you might find that you can do much of it yourself if you are handy. I replaced my rear window rubber and I am pretty sure I would not have been able to do it with out the assistance of several individuals on this forum providing me advice"Thanks again to ALL". With their inputs I was able to do everything and it came out very good, but it was very difficult. I am not sure I would rush and do it again.
If you can afford it buy one that is in good shape...you will be much happier...
If you can afford it buy one that is in good shape...you will be much happier...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,632
Likes: 4,683
From: Mustang OK
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 c1 of the Year - Modified Winner
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2015 C1 of the Year Finalist
The 56-60 tops are PHYSICALLY interchangeable, but there are some minor stainless trim differences and of course the headliner designs are different. But you CAN put a 56 top on a 60 Vette (and vice versa) and drive it away.
