Astro Tops
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Long Island New York
Astro Tops
Hi all,
Does anyone have any experience with the Lexan Astro one or two piece tops for their C3 coupes?
I'm toying with the idea of getting a see through top for my '72. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Does anyone have any experience with the Lexan Astro one or two piece tops for their C3 coupes?
I'm toying with the idea of getting a see through top for my '72. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 4
From: Celeste Texas
It's the worst thing ever designed for a vette and they are a complete waste of money. Well, hang on, if you never drive or wash your car it will be great. I had one for a few months last year. It wouldn't tighten down enough to stop water coming in. The plastic threads just don't take any torque. The rear retainers fit around the rear trim and looked real cheesy and never fit right. When they rubbed on my rear trim they wore off the paint. When I drove the car the entire front of the top kept trying to lift off. So I had wind that I couldn't stop coming under the seal at speeds above 50 mph. In the center there are tabs that fit into the top latch holes. They adjust by adding washers that you can see throught the clear plastic. After you decide that you hate it there isn't a lot of resale value in them. One guy here got so mad at it he threw it in his local river. If you really want to do some good with that chunk of money, get a bunch of dollar coins. Then sit on your front porch and throw them at all the kids in your neighborhood. Great entertainment value.
Astrotops are a waste of good money.
Bill
Astrotops are a waste of good money.
Bill
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Long Island New York
Thanks Bill.
My initial thoughts were that for $400 they couldn't be that structurally sound. You just confirmed it. I guess my next question would be....Does anyone make quality glass tops usingt GM frames or licensed under GM?
My initial thoughts were that for $400 they couldn't be that structurally sound. You just confirmed it. I guess my next question would be....Does anyone make quality glass tops usingt GM frames or licensed under GM?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 48
From: westland mi
i love it. had mine for 14-15yrs, no probs. they do leak in the rain just like my stockers did but i try to avoid the rain. they give u 3-4" extra headroom which i needed. DO not get the 2pc top, they suck. u either love em or hate em
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,009
Likes: 11
From: Philadelphia, sub burbs Wynnewood, PA
mine works great.......no leaks, wind problems or anything and fits fine in the back you just can't put anything else back there. you must be doing something wrong
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,708
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
Originally Posted by texaswilkins
It's the worst thing ever designed for a vette and they are a complete waste of money. Well, hang on, if you never drive or wash your car it will be great. I had one for a few months last year. It wouldn't tighten down enough to stop water coming in. The plastic threads just don't take any torque. The rear retainers fit around the rear trim and looked real cheesy and never fit right. When they rubbed on my rear trim they wore off the paint. When I drove the car the entire front of the top kept trying to lift off. So I had wind that I couldn't stop coming under the seal at speeds above 50 mph. In the center there are tabs that fit into the top latch holes. They adjust by adding washers that you can see throught the clear plastic. After you decide that you hate it there isn't a lot of resale value in them. One guy here got so mad at it he threw it in his local river. If you really want to do some good with that chunk of money, get a bunch of dollar coins. Then sit on your front porch and throw them at all the kids in your neighborhood. Great entertainment value.
Astrotops are a waste of good money.
Bill
Astrotops are a waste of good money.
Bill
instead of buying an aftermarket lexan top... 
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 505
Likes: 8
From: Houston Tx.
I would have to agree with Tex, they can be pretty cheesy. I bought one on ebay for $175. Squeaks, leaks and rattles. It was this or spending a fortune on headliners, w'strips and hardware to get my t-tops usable again.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
Ah a new year and the beginning of the Thompson Astro top posting season 
and here I thought I missed it
and here I thought I missed it
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Astro Tops
I purchased a set of the two piece tops in 1978 for my '77. They were priced very good when compared to the then new and hard to find GM glass tops that were just coming on the market. I was disappointed in how cheezy they were made as well. Then one of them let go (rear T bar attaching point) at about 70 mph and scared the snot out of me. Fortunately it didn't come off, so I made someone a deal they couldn't refuse and have never looked back.
Perhaps the new ones are better made???
GUSTO
Perhaps the new ones are better made???
GUSTO
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: Around Memphis,tn
Originally Posted by texaswilkins
It's the worst thing ever designed for a vette and they are a complete waste of money.
Astrotops are a waste of good money.
Bill
Astrotops are a waste of good money.
Bill
I disagree with this , I have one and Love it !
Yes you get squeeks at times an no , they dont fit perfectly to every car . Adjustments have to be made . I have no trouble with water leaks or wind noise .
I do agree with the cheezy rear mounting set up but I will alter that . I have the perfect and neat solution !
I Like the looks of this one piece top as well !
But ya know ..... the question is ..... What do you expect for $450 ?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,453
Likes: 461
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by texaswilkins
It's the worst thing ever designed for a vette and they are a complete waste of money. Well, hang on, if you never drive or wash your car it will be great. I had one for a few months last year. It wouldn't tighten down enough to stop water coming in. The plastic threads just don't take any torque. The rear retainers fit around the rear trim and looked real cheesy and never fit right. When they rubbed on my rear trim they wore off the paint. When I drove the car the entire front of the top kept trying to lift off. So I had wind that I couldn't stop coming under the seal at speeds above 50 mph. In the center there are tabs that fit into the top latch holes. They adjust by adding washers that you can see throught the clear plastic. After you decide that you hate it there isn't a lot of resale value in them. One guy here got so mad at it he threw it in his local river. If you really want to do some good with that chunk of money, get a bunch of dollar coins. Then sit on your front porch and throw them at all the kids in your neighborhood. Great entertainment value.
Astrotops are a waste of good money.
Bill
Astrotops are a waste of good money.
Bill
...exactly-my fingers are too sore to type my whole fiasco with them. My top is at the bottom of a river here in Ohio---wait a minute, it might be up at Lake Erie by now. Any Clevelanders out there see my AstroFlop floating in Lake Erie??? It was dark out when I threw mine in the river-never saw if it surfaced-just heard the splash. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
i think i'm getting the drift here.
if you are a guy who can make the **** retentive meter move even just a little bit these tops are not for you.
I'm guessing i would find them satisfactory. I love the one piece canvas top.
if you are a guy who can make the **** retentive meter move even just a little bit these tops are not for you.
I'm guessing i would find them satisfactory. I love the one piece canvas top.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,776
Likes: 142
From: North of Atlanta GA
St. Jude Donor '05
I bought a set of the 2 piece tops 2 years ago and they are O.K., (just O.K.), I wish I had an original factory set but after searching for a long time I gave up and got the Astro tops ($575).
I have a couple small water leaks that could be due in part to the pillar weatherstrip, and have had to adjust the tops a few times to minimise the leaks and the wind noise, I've got them to a tollerable point now.
I also had a problem with the passenger side locking rod wich was rattling around inside the top, I didn't want to go through the trouble of shipping it back to be repaired so I fixed it by wrapping a piece of vacuum hose around part of it to stop the rattle.
I considered the one piece but hated the way it secured to the car so I went with the 2 piece.
I have a couple small water leaks that could be due in part to the pillar weatherstrip, and have had to adjust the tops a few times to minimise the leaks and the wind noise, I've got them to a tollerable point now.
I also had a problem with the passenger side locking rod wich was rattling around inside the top, I didn't want to go through the trouble of shipping it back to be repaired so I fixed it by wrapping a piece of vacuum hose around part of it to stop the rattle.
I considered the one piece but hated the way it secured to the car so I went with the 2 piece.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 1
From: Brandon Manitoba
If anybody is looking for original style t-tops for their car I recommend a site called www.sunroofdoctor.com . They sell genuine gm parts t-tops for 875.00 + 24.95 shipping. I ordered the mirrored set for my 80 vette and they are great. They are the company that supplies the other corvette suppliers with t-tops that retail for 1100 to 1400 dollars. Give the site a look, they cannot be beat. Brent
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 1
From: Brandon Manitoba
Genuine GM Mirrored or Black glass tops !!
If anybody is looking for original style t-tops for their car I recommend a site called www.sunroofdoctor.com . They sell genuine gm parts t-tops for 875.00 + 24.95 shipping. I ordered the mirrored set for my 80 vette and they are great. They are the company that supplies the other corvette suppliers with t-tops that retail for 1100 to 1400 dollars. Give the site a look, they cannot be beat. Brent OOps- Sorry about the double submission, I guess it's so good I had to tell you about it twice.
Last edited by bams12; Jan 11, 2006 at 04:16 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by bams12
If anybody is looking for original style t-tops for their car I recommend a site called www.sunroofdoctor.com . They sell genuine gm parts t-tops for 875.00 + 24.95 shipping. I ordered the mirrored set for my 80 vette and they are great. They are the company that supplies the other corvette suppliers with t-tops that retail for 1100 to 1400 dollars. Give the site a look, they cannot be beat. Brent OOps- Sorry about the double submission, I guess it's so good I had to tell you about it twice.