Cost to replace convertible top????
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Cost to replace convertible top????
Looking at a Vert that needs a top...literally the top is gone. Frame and weaterstrip are good. Trying to get a handle on how much the car needs in terms of $$$$$.
What does it cost for a good black top and the cost of instalation?
thanks
Mark
What does it cost for a good black top and the cost of instalation?
thanks
Mark
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
My cost for replacement:
$190 for the top kit
$150 for the weatherstrip kit
$20 for weatherstrip mounting hardware
$30 for a tack strip set
$75 for an installation video
$50 for a heat gun
$5 for adhesive
$5 for staples
$25 for paint, rustproofer, etc.
-------------------
$550 total
I did the installation myself and it took about 30 hours to recondition the frame and re-cover. I already had the staple gun...
Latch/lock hardware and bows add up fast. Minimum $100 for a single header latch. Individual bows run about $350. Header trim (Around the latches and sunvisors) is about $80. Complete frame is about $1,700.
Installation labor will vary from $200 to $400.
Bottom line, a near-worst case scenario could put you into the thousands, but an average bare-bones top replacement could be done for, say, $250 if you did yourself.
$190 for the top kit
$150 for the weatherstrip kit
$20 for weatherstrip mounting hardware
$30 for a tack strip set
$75 for an installation video
$50 for a heat gun
$5 for adhesive
$5 for staples
$25 for paint, rustproofer, etc.
-------------------
$550 total
I did the installation myself and it took about 30 hours to recondition the frame and re-cover. I already had the staple gun...
Latch/lock hardware and bows add up fast. Minimum $100 for a single header latch. Individual bows run about $350. Header trim (Around the latches and sunvisors) is about $80. Complete frame is about $1,700.
Installation labor will vary from $200 to $400.
Bottom line, a near-worst case scenario could put you into the thousands, but an average bare-bones top replacement could be done for, say, $250 if you did yourself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 1
From: Behind the wheel of a large automobile
I did my own as well. A little scary at times, but I kept hearing my Grampa's voice saying "measure twice .... cut once" 
Take your time, you can do it. Find someone who's go the install video and borrow it.
Take your time, you can do it. Find someone who's go the install video and borrow it.
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