1959 Soft Top Replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
1959 Soft Top Replacement
Hi everyone! I would like to replace my crappy Al Knoch vinyl softtop with a Stayfast cloth top. Cranes' is the only company that I can find that supplies this for $480.00. Any ideas for an alternative would be appreciated. Also, I am looking for an installer in the St Louis area that can be trusted to install the softtop. Alas, I am getting too old to do much work myself.
Thanks much, Phil
Thanks much, Phil
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 561
From: Macedonia Ohio
Hi everyone! I would like to replace my crappy Al Knoch vinyl softtop with a Stayfast cloth top. Cranes' is the only company that I can find that supplies this for $480.00. Any ideas for an alternative would be appreciated. Also, I am looking for an installer in the St Louis area that can be trusted to install the softtop. Alas, I am getting too old to do much work myself.
Thanks much, Phil
Thanks much, Phil
I am not familiar with Cranes'. I will say that I would not cheapen up on the top. I only use AK or Kee. I have had experience with other brands that were not good.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 810
From: Justin, Tx
I had Al Knoch make me up a softtop for my 59 using Stayfast material. It was a non standard color for AK, but they ordered the material I wanted and made up the top. I'll get to putting it on soon. Not really looking forward to it as it will be my first C1 top installation.
According to Haartz, the makers of the stayfast material, Twillfast is becoming more popular at least on new cars. Feels like Stayfast, but the grain it at an angle.
I would think you'll have a few installers to choose from in a big city like St. Louis. Check the new version of the yellow pages, Google.
Crane's is a reseller, like Coffman, who sells AK tops.
According to Haartz, the makers of the stayfast material, Twillfast is becoming more popular at least on new cars. Feels like Stayfast, but the grain it at an angle.
I would think you'll have a few installers to choose from in a big city like St. Louis. Check the new version of the yellow pages, Google.
Crane's is a reseller, like Coffman, who sells AK tops.
Last edited by Ken Sungela; Feb 22, 2020 at 04:46 PM.
Almost Retired
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 237
From: Akron, Ohio
There is nothing crappy about an Al Knoch vinyl top unless it was installed wrong, Talk to Clint at Coffman's, great guy, helped me out after a so called top installer put a top on my 62. Ask for references and follow up on them. Once the top is on wrong it is a nightmare!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 53
From: Philadelphia Pa
I had Al Knoch make me up a softtop for my 59 using Stayfast material. It was a non standard color for AK, but they ordered the material I wanted and made up the top. I'll get to putting it on soon. Not really looking forward to it as it will be my first C1 top installation.
According to Haartz, the makers of the stayfast material, Twillfast is becoming more popular at least on new cars. Feels like Stayfast, but the grain it at an angle.
I would think you'll have a few installers to choose from in a big city like St. Louis. Check the new version of the yellow pages, Google.
Crane's is a reseller, like Coffman, who sells AK tops.
According to Haartz, the makers of the stayfast material, Twillfast is becoming more popular at least on new cars. Feels like Stayfast, but the grain it at an angle.
I would think you'll have a few installers to choose from in a big city like St. Louis. Check the new version of the yellow pages, Google.
Crane's is a reseller, like Coffman, who sells AK tops.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,075
Likes: 1,564
From: Poway CA
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My stayfast top was made by Robbins (Oxnard, CA), from the Haartz material.
It's been on 2 years - I'm very happy with it.
Robbins makes a great product, but their sales/order fulfillment is a disaster..
Their online web order form accepted my order for a stayfast top, then they sent me a vinyl top..
Last I checked (it's been a year), it was still screwed up... That's why I generally don't endorse their product..
But as I say, the product is great... and once I got connected to an ACTUAL HUMAN at Robbins, he was very helpful...
But it was an 'ordeal'.
Fred
Last edited by SDVette; Feb 23, 2020 at 02:53 PM.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 106
Likes: 13
From: Georgetown Kentucky
I just ordered my Stayfast top from Topsonline.com. It is a Robbins brand. I wanted white, Oyster is the closest you can get and you have to call them to order it. Oyster is not listed on their website. The headliner is tan, no other options but I'm ok with that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Poway CA
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The color is great... 'Oyster' does not describe it well.. It's actually a shade or two lighter than my prior top (A Knoch vinyl top that I had several issues with).
I was concerned about keeping the white top looking good.
I applied the 303 fabric top protection kit (as recommended by Haartz) after installation.. It has stayed very clean..
Last edited by SDVette; Feb 24, 2020 at 11:47 AM.