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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 10:34 AM
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Default 1970 Hardtop

I thought I had done a post on this subject.....must be getting old. What should I expect to pay for a hardtop for my 70' roadster. Must be complete, no garbage. Car has black interior. Does one need to do anything to the car to attach the hardtop? special fittings? drilled holes? etc. Regards, Mike in San Diego.
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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 10:54 AM
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Default Hard Tops

Originally Posted by mikebaskette
I thought I had done a post on this subject.....must be getting old. What should I expect to pay for a hardtop for my 70' roadster. Must be complete, no garbage. Car has black interior. Does one need to do anything to the car to attach the hardtop? special fittings? drilled holes? etc. Regards, Mike in San Diego.
Seen prices for hard tops ranging from $500 area for fair ones, $1500 area for mint ones, in most cases you will need a repaint to make it match, unless it's a vynal top. As long as it's a convertible no alterations are needed at all.... ... .....just be carefull putting it on & taking it off so you dont scratch anything, it's heavy & awkward to handle .

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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by 427SIXPACK
...no alterations are needed...

with the exception of door glass weatherstripping and possible door glass adjustment.

If you get the hardtop, mount the hardtop on the car. Adjust the door glasses to the weatherstripping on the hardtop to get a good fit. Hopefully, you will be able to get a good seal without having to adjust the door glasses themselves. If not, you will have to adjust the glasses at this point because the weatherstipping on the hardtop is not adjustable.

Remove the hardtop and raise the folding top. Adjust the weatherstripping on the folding top to the door glasses. Do not change the position of the door glasses or you will negate the fit you got with the hardtop on.

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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 01:08 PM
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Along these lines, has anyone heard good or bad about Smoothline???

Smoothline.com
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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 01:11 PM
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I would say at least $1000 for a nice one. You can find some for $500 but you will need a headliner and weatherstrip-neither of which is cheap.
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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Z-man
Along these lines, has anyone heard good or bad about Smoothline???

Smoothline.com
WOW didnt know they made repros...........any idea of cost ?
just curious ?
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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 03:25 PM
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Just my .02, but I'd stay with the OEM top. You know it's going to fit and not give you any surprises.

It's not my intention to give a bad rep to the Smoothline folks. I am not familiar with their product. For all anyone knows, they made have made the originals for GM.
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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 03:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Just my .02, but I'd stay with the OEM top. You know it's going to fit and not give you any surprises.

It's not my intention to give a bad rep to the Smoothline folks. I am not familiar with their product. For all anyone knows, they made have made the originals for GM.

FUNNY ............your right, you never know who made what for GM
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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 04:51 PM
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If you look long and hard and get lucky you can find a decent top for $500. The real trick is to find one close enough to you that you can pick up. Crating and shipping a hardtop is tricky and expensive - can easily add $200 or more to the cost of the hardtop.

If your convertible did not come from the factory with a hardtop then it will not have the additional attaching points that you will want, but maybe don't absolutely 100% need. These additional attaching points are a third hole in the middle of the rear decklid, and 2 holes directly behind the doors. pics coming.............


See dat little hole in der? A bolt goes through a tab on the hardtop and into that hole to help hold the hardtop securely on to the car.


Last edited by PRNDL; Nov 8, 2006 at 04:56 PM.
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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 06:25 PM
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You guys are a wealth of knowledge.
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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 09:25 PM
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I'd like one of you guys to buy a hardtop from from Smoothline then give us your feedback. Please include pictures and prices...
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Old Nov 9, 2006 | 03:53 PM
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I just spoke with the guys over at Smoothline. They were pleasant to talk with and he answered all my questions, etc. In short, the top is about 45lbs. From what I remember of my hardtop this is about 1/2 the weight of the original and maybe even less. Anybody know how much the original hardtop weighs all trimmed out, etc? There was a vette show in California that had the their hardtop installed and it took 1st place. I have no idea what the other competition was at the show. Well…after I get all my mods done (hopefully by this time next year) I can justify purchasing this hardtop as I really only need it for racing purposes down the 1/4 mile dragway as I don't want to add 200lbs and then watch my 1/4 ET's drop 0.1 secs. Price was about $1,200 right now as they are running a special from the usual price of $1,500. Sounds like a good alternative if you are looking for something a little different vs. original.
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Old Nov 9, 2006 | 04:27 PM
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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
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Hey - thanks for the info about Smoothline. $1,200 for a new top isn't too far from prices for good originals. I may have to look into this option further...
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Old Nov 9, 2006 | 05:00 PM
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Anybody know how much the original hardtop weighs all trimmed out, etc?


If you have someone helping you move it, it weighs about 85 pounds. If you are trying to move it by yourself...it weighs around 800 pounds!

> Good luck with your purchase !

I have one for my 74 that needs refinish and paint....I am thinking about going with a black vinyl, as this was a fairly rare option for the hardtop.

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Old Nov 10, 2006 | 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by PRNDL
If your convertible did not come from the factory with a hardtop then it will not have the additional attaching points that you will want, but maybe don't absolutely 100% need. These additional attaching points are a third hole in the middle of the rear decklid, and 2 holes directly behind the doors. pics coming.............


See dat little hole in der? A bolt goes through a tab on the hardtop and into that hole to help hold the hardtop securely on to the car.


First pic is the center latching pin hole in the center of the rear deck.



This is a pic of the side bolt which secures the hardtop.



My black vinyl hardtop......probably going up for sale in the spring.

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Old Nov 11, 2006 | 12:16 AM
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Whatever you do, make sure you get that clear plastic stuff that goes between the hardtop and your paint. Saves the paint from the top. I think it is called a decklid protector or something like that. Most of the vendors carry it.
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