My top is in horrible shape. Couple of slashes in the vinyl here and there that I've patched up. Plus, it's just old and needs replacing along with ALL the weatherstripping. How much did you pay to get this done for those of you who have? Or if you did it yourself, how bad was it, and where did you get the stuff from?

 

Dunno...haven't seen my top in 4 yrs. It's been folded down since day 1.

 

never had the convertable top on mine in about 30 years. it was destroyied when my dad bought the car and its had the removeable hard top on since.

 

You can buy a very nice, authentic top from Al Knoch. It's an excellent reproduction style top. For an extra $50.00, you can even have the rear window "date stamped", IF you so desire.

Buy the entire "kit" from Al, which includes new pads,etc.

The top will cost you about $200+/- with pads, etc. You can buy a top direct from Al's brother Wally right here on the forum, and get a good deal, less than you would pay for the same top from the catalog vendors.

The weatherstrip is expensive. For the header, rear bow, and the pieces around both windows, you'll spend about $200 to $300 bucks.

You can do it yourself. I've put on and helped put on about 6 tops. We take our time. It'll take me/us about 2 weekends, as we work slowly and carefully. We've always had nice results.

IF you don't want to do it yourself, a professional can probably do it in 4 hours or so. Figure their shop rate X the number of hours, and that'll give you a labor cost.

LET ME ADD....when you take off the old "rag", you'll probably need to or want to refinish the bows. The bows MIGHT NEED some repair. Some or all of the tack strips MIGHT NEED to be replaced. That project might take you an additional week or two, before the bows are ready for the new top.

Al Knoch has a video of "how to do it". It's not hard. You need basic tools, but you do need either an electric stapler or a pneumatic stapler. A hand held model won't do the trick. Chuck

 

Chuck, I'm at this point right now. I puchased a replacement header bow but it appears to be warped. I've tried calling other vendors (such as Al Knoch where I bought the top from) and they tell me all front bows are on back-order and they dont know when they will be coming in. So do you know where I can get a quality bow or who can rebuild/refinish mine?

Thanks
Paul

 

Hey Chuck,
My convertible top project is heading to the top of my list and hopefully I'll be doing it soon. Since you are so close and have done 6 already, how about helping a fellow Forum memeber out when the time comes? I'd love to have an expert there when I do mine. Give it a thought......
John

 

Hmmm. I have no idea. Where did you get this "replacement" that doesn't fit? Chuck

 

I'll be glad to help if I can. First, GET THE VIDEO. Second, GET THE VIDEO......

You/we/I WILL NOT get a top done in a day....or two...or maybe more. Don't have unrealistic expectations like:

"We'll pop this new top on this morning, and make it to the cruise-in tonight" Ain't gonna happen.

You'll have snags along the way. Your bows might need fixin'. You might need new tack strips. You might spend HOURS adjusting the frame to fit the windows. Chuck

 

That’s why I need your expertise. Since you have spelled out the length of time it takes I have no expectations on doing this job in an hour or two. I want it done correctly. I am thinking of stripping off the old top today to look at the frame and start reconditioning it. Should I do that or do you use the old top as a template? What should I keep off the old top that will be reused? I am going to take my time on this one since it is a highly visible project. I am going to get the video, that’s a given. I was also thinking about writing a FAQ on this since this subject comes up at least once a month. It would be a great help to have someone like you that could contribute to the FAQ with your experience.
Thanks Chuck, I’ll be in touch.
John

 

You can take some measurements between the various bows on your existing top. You can keep them for reference. The new top will not likely duplicate those measurements, but they're a nice reference.

How does the present top fit? How do the windows fit the opening? You can spend days fooling around with both window adjustments and top frame adjustments, getting it "right" before you even begin to put the "rag" on.

If you have Al's top, read the directions that come with it, and watch the video a few dozen times.

Check all the rivets in your top frame too. Check all the tack strips. Check for rust in the header. Check to see if there are bends in the top irons.

Are you removing the top frame for reconditioning and painting? If so, mark the mounting points so you can re-install it in the same place, (assuming that everything fits "as is" ).

LOTS of stuff to look out for. Chuck

 

I have always done it myself... so I have no idea how much somebody would charge for the install..

 

Thanks for all your suggestions Chuck. I'll wait until you answer my questions above before I remove the "RAG" top I have now. I do have a ralley wheel thats in mid restoration (thanks Steve's74 for the use of your blast cabinet) to keep me busy a little today.

 

Originally Posted by Chuck Gongloff
You can take some measurements between the various bows on your existing top. You can keep them for reference. The new top will not likely duplicate those measurements, but they're a nice reference.


Is this the measurement between to bow from front to back or side to side? FRONT TO BACK.

How does the present top fit? How do the windows fit the opening? You can spend days fooling around with both window adjustments and top frame adjustments, getting it "right" before you even begin to put the "rag" on.

The top and frame are out of the car but when it was is the windows fit OK. So the frame and windows should be adjusted BEFORE installing the new top?

ABSOLUTELY.

If you have Al's top, read the directions that come with it, and watch the video a few dozen times.

Check all the rivets in your top frame too. Check all the tack strips. Check for rust in the header. Check to see if there are bends in the top irons.

I'll do that for sure, thanks. I am going to get new tach strips. THe frame seems to be in good condition. The only thing that I don't know about is the amout of rust.

Are you removing the top frame for reconditioning and painting? If so, mark the mounting points so you can re-install it in the same place, (assuming that everything fits "as is" ).

I have already marked the attachment points because I take the soft top out for the winter and install the hard top. I've had the frame out every winter since I've owned the car (1999).

LOTS of stuff to look out for. Chuck