1959RedConv

I'm thinking about getting a hardtop for my 1959. But... after reading a few threads it appears that you have to be careful that you're actually buying a top that will fit a 1959. Some comments are conflicting as to whether some years will fit others. ?? Is there a clear defining item on the hardtop that determines it is indeed a 1959 top? Also, are there additional holes/pins that should be in the rear area of the car to secure the hardtop to the car?

Thanks for your help.

jwhitby

Maybe this video helps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2ng1...e_gdata_player

Stewart Allison

There is a company that does good work on hard tops they are called Glass works. The hard top shop they will answer any of your questions and set you on the correct path. Stewy

wmf62

as far as what won't fit... a 61-62 ht won't fit.. and yes, there need to be additional holes/fastening points for all years of HTs that need to be added if the car didn't at one time have a ht.
Bill

gbvette62

All 56-60 hardtops are interchangeable. 61-62 tops slightly different.

The 61-62 tops have a notch in the center of the rear bow, to clear the ridge that runs down the center of the deck and trunk lids, and have more attaching points.

56-60 tops attach to the deck by three bolts. One in the center of the rear bow, and one on each side of the top, at the door lock pillar. The front of the tops attach to the windshield with latches, just like the convertible top does.

toms silver 60

Seeing how your car isn't stock, any 56-60 top will work just fine. You can pay up to $5800 for a "correct" restored 59 top, or you can shop around (perhaps for years, like I just did) and get a very nice top for a lot less money.

If you are cruising with top up, there is a world of difference between the soft and hard tops. Lots more visibility and even more room.

Frankie the Fink

The ridge in the back is the giveaway on a '61/'62 top...the earlier ones are largely interchangeable. Its just as important that you concentrate on having all the correct parts on the top. Sometimes Bubba puts soft top front latches on these tops that can
screw things up real fast -- get educated. Search for GlassWorks on youtube and watch their videos on specifics.

If you want an actual '59 top then its hard to say. Headliner material differs from year to year and the plexiglass windows have date codes..so those are some things to look for.

DZAUTO

As already mentioned, 56-60 tops are PHYSICALLY 100% interchangeable.
The 61-62 tops are 100% interchangeable.
The 56-62 tops will attach the same AT THE WINDSHIELD, but NOT at the rear. The 56-60 and 61-62 tops are TOTALLY different at the rear in regards to their attachment. And they cannot be properly modified to interchange.
Thus, as also mentioned, if you just want a hardtop that will fit properly and attach as it should to your car, then your choices are 56-60.
At the rear, 56-60 tops use THREE bolts. The 61-62 use FOUR bolts and the bolt hole locations are in totally different locations.
The trim for 56, 57-58, 59-60 is different and the headliners are different is all.

Tom Parsons

tgtexas02

59-60 tops have a single stainless bottom frame piece (pin-to-pin) versus earlier tops which have a three piece frame. The rear exterior trim stainless is two curved sections with a small center clip. Earlier tops are easily recognized by a small "Y-shaped" stainless clip at the bottom rear of the side windows. There are some other small variances that I am not totally clear on. If your car isn't for show I would just find a "good buy". Also, a 56 top front header is just a narrow aluminum section while all other tops to 62 have the wider three-piece stainless on the header.

Don't forget to figure your shipping and missing stainless on a "Good" buy. It cost me $280 to have top packed and shipped from L.A. to Galveston, Tx. And, that single bottom long stainless costs about $700if you tried to replace--expensive stuff.

Hope this helps?

1959RedConv

Thanks for all of the good information guys. It appears that Glassworks is a great place to buy a good hardtop--however the price is steep--$5800. But, then again I guess you get what you pay for. I don't need an NCRS quality top--just a driver. I am in Oregon and realize a lot of parts and suppliers are on the East Coast. Perhaps I can concentrate on the West Coast first and see what shows up.

I checked and I have the three holes in the rear deck area. One in the center and one on each side near where the side windows would be. There is a chrome piece around the holes. So, it must have had a hardtop at the time of delivery ??

Also, this is a little frustrating. When I bought the car at the auction last June they were auctioning the hardtops seperate--and before the cars were auctioned. ******. Soooo, if you bought a hardtop and didn't get the right bid on the car... ?? I think they went for under $2000--and in good shape. They also sold five corvettes at the time.

Thanks again for all the help. I'll start looking around.

toms silver 60

Check out these guys first, they may know of one that's available and fairly local. Plus, they're a great bunch who are really into the solid axle cars.
http://www.nwsacc.com/

Unless you're real lucky, you will probably pay $2500 and up for a nice hardtop plus shipping and freight. If the rear weatherstrip is bad, it's a major effort to change out as you have to take it all apart, which I hear is very challenging. I would guestimate $3000-3500 for a real nice one, keeping in mind that a restore is $3800, which does not include stainless work!

Your car could have come with softtop only, and then someone added the three holes on the deck lid. I had to drill the three holes on mine when I obtained a HT in the 80's.

1959RedConv

Thanks Tom. I'll check them out.