Hardtop storeage
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,016
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
I use one, I find it pretty handy myself. It's one like they advertise, but I built it myself. I used some aluminum flat stock, works well and a lot cheaper than buying a prebuilt one.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 515
Likes: 9
From: St. Paul MN
Hardtop storage
I have a stand that I use but I have found that if I don't put a soft piece of flece between the top and the up rights it leaves marks on the top. I also have a hoist that I only used a few times because it pulls on the weather striping and deforms it. Hope this helps....Bill 58
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,016
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,286
Likes: 2,146
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Bought one from Eckler's many years ago. Very nice tubular construction.....powder coated and padded. Added a bit of additional padding just to be sure, and bought a hardtop cover from California Car Covers.
Everything is nicely stored in a large closet in the house. Wife is not overly happy about this arrangement.
Never installed hardtop in over 15 years. Drive the car on nice days, and don't need a cover. Have the soft top in case of rain.
Larry
Everything is nicely stored in a large closet in the house. Wife is not overly happy about this arrangement.
Never installed hardtop in over 15 years. Drive the car on nice days, and don't need a cover. Have the soft top in case of rain. Larry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,772
Likes: 694
From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
I store mine in a 2x4 cradle hung from the rafters in the garage. I have a pickup cap in the cradle the Corvette top stores inside of the cap in the same framework. I can walk under it and I don't loose any floor space.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,016
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
Mine is on the car as we speak, but it'll be coming off very shortly! Some years I go without ever putting it on, some winters I run it through the worst months of Dec-Feb. Depends on how I feel . . . .
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 27
From: Jamestown N.C.
[QUOTE=Sky65;1569491962]I store mine in a 2x4 cradle hung from the rafters in the garage. I can walk under it and I don't loose any floor space.[QUOTE]
When I located my top (one of the prior owners had kept it when he sold the car back in the early 80's) this is how it was stored:
Low-tech, but it worked for him. It did take awhile to get the bird poop off the headliner though - a problem most people probably don't have to deal with...
When I located my top (one of the prior owners had kept it when he sold the car back in the early 80's) this is how it was stored:
Low-tech, but it worked for him. It did take awhile to get the bird poop off the headliner though - a problem most people probably don't have to deal with...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 814
Likes: 7
From: toronto ontario
I was planning on buying one of the stands sold by Corvette Central. Before I got that far I went to the Hard Top Shop in PA. to pick up a new rear window. While there I noticed that all of the tops that they had were stored on the front bow, I asked why. They said that storing the top on the rear window bow will eventually distort the bow. They said that the best way is to store the top the same way that it rests on the car, if this is not an option then on the front bow only.
Sounds like a lot of you have stored on the rear and not had a problem.
Sounds like a lot of you have stored on the rear and not had a problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,016
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
I was planning on buying one of the stands sold by Corvette Central. Before I got that far I went to the Hard Top Shop in PA. to pick up a new rear window. While there I noticed that all of the tops that they had were stored on the front bow, I asked why. They said that storing the top on the rear window bow will eventually distort the bow. They said that the best way is to store the top the same way that it rests on the car, if this is not an option then on the front bow only.
Sounds like a lot of you have stored on the rear and not had a problem.
Sounds like a lot of you have stored on the rear and not had a problem.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: Scranton Pennsylvania
I ordered one from Ecklers last night. Their version seems different than the others, plus it was cheaper. Regarding the previous post, I'm of the opinion that the top tends to flex or change shape regardless of how you store it. When I tried to mount the one that I bought on Sat. , It was about 3/4 of an inch too wide for the brackets. It only took some gentle pressure to make it fit. I have no idea how long or in what manner this top was stored.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Vacaville Ca.
I just store mine in the corner of my garage. I have two heavy comforters, One is folded into thirds for the front part of the top to rest on the floor. I lean the top back against the wall with the other comforter as padding as well as dust protection. Is this a acceptable way to store the top? It is not fancy, but seems well protected from everything except possible stress?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 814
Likes: 7
From: toronto ontario
I just store mine in the corner of my garage. I have two heavy comforters, One is folded into thirds for the front part of the top to rest on the floor. I lean the top back against the wall with the other comforter as padding as well as dust protection. Is this a acceptable way to store the top? It is not fancy, but seems well protected from everything except possible stress?
I store mine front bow down leaning with the inside to the wall with a proper fitted cover from C/C and a comforter over the whole thing. I also cover the bottom and top edge with a couple of those foam things used to keep pipes warm.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,770
Likes: 33
From: Cohasset MN
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C1 of Year Finalist
I just store mine in the corner of my garage. I have two heavy comforters, One is folded into thirds for the front part of the top to rest on the floor. I lean the top back against the wall with the other comforter as padding as well as dust protection. Is this a acceptable way to store the top? It is not fancy, but seems well protected from everything except possible stress?
