ryan22

Considering getting a hardtop for our 61...are there any differences between 58-62 or is the fit & application the same for these years ?

thanks-

reedkona

There's notch in the bottom of the back window after 1960 to allow for the rib contour in the rear deck. Also the headliners differ. There have been some who have used earlier hardtops and the 61 & 62 and say it works, though it doesn't seal as well. If you have access to the earlier top at a bargain price, however, you can get the parts from a number of different suppliers (like the hardtop shop) to update it to the notch.

Frankie the Fink

Its hard to switch the older tops over to fit a '61...the bolt-down arrangement is different not even counting the deck lid 'ridge' on the later models...

DZAUTO

EXACTLY correct!
The 56-60 tops are 100% interchangeable. Although, there are some minor differences in a few trim pieces and of course they have different headliners.
The 61-62 tops are the SAME AT THE FRONT (as 56-60 tops), but TOTALLY different at the rear. You're either going to screw up the rear of a 56-60 top to make it fit the 61-2 soft top lid, OR, you're going to screw up the soft top lid to make it fit.
My advice--------------DON'T DO IT!!! Locate a 61-2 top that fits correctly!

Tom Parsons

Qblue92

I know of a 61-2 Hardtop for sale in the DFW area. White/red headliner. Looked pretty nice.

BobT59

I have a 1962 hardtop on my 59....has the notch and fits well... bought it in 1967 for $250...wonder what it's worth today.

wmf62

interesting.... someone must have modified that top or your deck lid as there is no way it will bolt on otherwise.
Bill

BobT59

Bill...

I guess I've had the top so long I don't understand your response... the top has the notch and it just sits on the 59 deck with no problem...of course, there is no flat seal it in the notch area of the top but it otherwise fits well...

I've owned the car since 1962 and the top since 1967...no work done to either for the top to fit except to drill the two holes in the deck for the bolting

wmf62

see the pic of a 60, there are 3 holddown bolts/brackets (circled areas) on the hardtop and decklid, a 61-62 only has 2 and i don't think they are in the same place. also the 60 has pins in front of the quarter windows and the 61-62s have brackets and bolts.



maybe if you haven't got the holes in the deck already and drill new holes to match the top's brackets and remove the side pins, then it might work as i've never seen it done.

Bill

Ironcross

There are only two hardtops for a early Vette 56-62 and they are not interchangable...I read that someone tried but obvious physical differences prevent a succesfull fit....the rear window and attaching points

........

the 1961 and 1962 style are pictured above

62corvette

Also, 56-60 hardtop headliners are interior color, 61-62 are all white from the factory. (although many have been dyed another color over the years.) In addition, take a look at the body counter and deck lid on a 56-60 vs. 61-62. The 61-62 is much flatter, with the 56-60 having much deeper valleys on each side. I had a 62 with a 60 top on it many years ago. It didn't fit worth a darn.

BobT59

The hardtop hasn't been on my Vette since about 1972 but you can see the connections..2 bolt hookup

Frankie the Fink

Its pretty clear somebody drilled your deck lid to allow the '61/'62 top to fit..
GM actually came up with a procedure to allow this as the earlier hardtops were
eliminated from production in '60 but owners still wanted them after that time:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...n+Prior+Models

BobT59

yes...I did in 1967 when I bought the hardtop....just had to spot the hole location with the top in place then drill it

rustylugnuts

That's why it was a good fit! Your Corvette was a convertible only = no previously drilled hard top mounting holes..... Makes sense now!

rustylugnuts