Plastic t-tops...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 833
Likes: 4
From: Mexico NY
Plastic t-tops... saratoga tops
I have a chace to buy some plastic t-tops.... they do not have frames and are made from all plastic..... not the astrotops...
the guy bought them in 1977. (new with vette).
What are they worth>? is 250 a good deal?>
thanks,
timg
the guy bought them in 1977. (new with vette).
What are they worth>? is 250 a good deal?>
thanks,
timg
Last edited by timgman; Aug 13, 2007 at 10:48 PM. Reason: better description.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 833
Likes: 4
From: Mexico NY
Here We Go..
After a bit of research...
saratoga tops were made in NYC ... they were a boom business due to the "factory-glass" tops being short in supply.
the material is scratch resistant and apparently fairly reliable.. and non breaking...\
the latch system leaves abit to be desired but it's pretty simple at least...
Anyway after reading some info I think thay'll be cool....
doea anyone have more info?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
Had a set of those on my first 78SA back in 87. Like you say, the latch system leaves something to be desired. They were nice in that I could leave the painted tops home and beat these around a little without worrying about breaking them.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 316
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
Those were some great tops. I had a set on my 73 back in the 80's. A great alternative to the GM glass tops for the budget minded daily driver. Someone liked them just as much as I did and decided to help themselves to my set. I hate thieves..... 
Not sure why these are no longer available. I would buy another set.
Not sure why these are no longer available. I would buy another set.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The two fellows who came up with what became Saratoga tops had their clear tops available before GM came out with the glass tops. At one point, GM was considering contracting with these guys to produce the factory glass tops for GM. The deal fell through. GM produced their own glass tops. The aftermarket tops were sold under the name of Moon Roofs.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Aug 14, 2007 at 03:47 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 833
Likes: 4
From: Mexico NY
Well I just called and I'll be picking them up later today..
I plan to post some pictures of them...
BTW.. I'll be the first person to have ever installed these.
They are actually new as in NEW.
BTW.. I'll be the first person to have ever installed these.
They are actually new as in NEW.
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Le Mans Master
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From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 833
Likes: 4
From: Mexico NY
Yeah..
Yeah these are a bit hard to find information on these. These's a used red pair on ebay for 1k right now... that doesn't mean anyone is crazy enough to buy them but well.. ya know.
I'm fairly certain that they are worth the 250...
I Plan on posting some detailed photos and perhaps shedding a new light on these "strange t-tops"....
I have to admit that I was a bit upset that they were not astro-tops... But these may prove to be even more cool.
I'm just wondering if anyone has more info on these...
I'm fairly certain that they are worth the 250...
I Plan on posting some detailed photos and perhaps shedding a new light on these "strange t-tops"....
I have to admit that I was a bit upset that they were not astro-tops... But these may prove to be even more cool.
I'm just wondering if anyone has more info on these...
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Nothing really "strange" about them; they're aftermarket. I've got some old Corvette magazine back issues with advertisements from the company. There's also a story about them in a back issue of Corvette News.
What you want to shed light on is how your pair managed to stay new, in the box, all this time.
What you want to shed light on is how your pair managed to stay new, in the box, all this time.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Aug 15, 2007 at 08:33 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 833
Likes: 4
From: Mexico NY
Nothing really "strange" about them; they're aftermarket. I've got some old Corvette magazine back issues with advertisements from the company. There's also a story about them in a back issue of Corvette News.
What you want to shred light on is how your pair managed to stay new, in the box, all this time.
What you want to shred light on is how your pair managed to stay new, in the box, all this time.
The guy ordered them from a catalog that came with his new 77 vette...
Early that year he had one fall and break. his insurance co. paid for a new set. He never used them and additionally has never removed his factory t-tops since then either.
he has a room full (50 plus) of trophies he's won with that car..
I saw him win one last weekend.... against a clean 57, 60 71, 73, and other carious c3's...
His car is a non ac l48 but it really is NEW.... and everything on it is as it was in 76 when he bought it...
hehehe
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
The two fellows who came up with what became Saratoga tops had their clear tops available before GM came out with the glass tops. At one point, GM was considering contracting with these guys to produce the factory glass tops for GM. The deal fell through. GM produced their own glass tops. The aftermarket tops were sold under the name of Moon Roofs.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 244
Likes: 2
From: Starksboro Vermont
Just saw one of these at the Stowe vintage car show and swap meet here in VT. Didn't know what I was looking at. It was clear. Only found the driver's side. Was in a pile of various poor condition t-tops for sale below a sign reading,"cheap corvette parts" for sale. Guy had a few spare tire carriers as well. And yeah, the latches looked pretty sketchy.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
The "latches" are simply a big screw that goes through the stock latch pin hole in the windshield header and a plastic block on a bracket that clamps to the interior halo panel(scratching it).
The set I had years ago a previous owner had painted the outer edges silver to match the car. I once dropped my keys getting out of the Vette and was able to snake a hanger past the weatherstrip to fish em out! Just kinda a flap of rubber.
The set I had years ago a previous owner had painted the outer edges silver to match the car. I once dropped my keys getting out of the Vette and was able to snake a hanger past the weatherstrip to fish em out! Just kinda a flap of rubber.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 833
Likes: 4
From: Mexico NY
Just saw one of these at the Stowe vintage car show and swap meet here in VT. Didn't know what I was looking at. It was clear. Only found the driver's side. Was in a pile of various poor condition t-tops for sale below a sign reading,"cheap corvette parts" for sale. Guy had a few spare tire carriers as well. And yeah, the latches looked pretty sketchy.
it's not mint, but I think I have one....
I'd have to verrify that is is indeed the passenger side.. but I have 3 of these tops now.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
The "latches" are simply a big screw that goes through the stock latch pin hole in the windshield header and a plastic block on a bracket that clamps to the interior halo panel(scratching it).
The set I had years ago a previous owner had painted the outer edges silver to match the car. I once dropped my keys getting out of the Vette and was able to snake a hanger past the weatherstrip to fish em out! Just kinda a flap of rubber.
The set I had years ago a previous owner had painted the outer edges silver to match the car. I once dropped my keys getting out of the Vette and was able to snake a hanger past the weatherstrip to fish em out! Just kinda a flap of rubber.
that rear block & **** is uncomfortably close to your head while driving..one mishap and you could easily poke a hole in your brain-box with it IMO
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
Yeah these are a bit hard to find information on these. These's a used red pair on ebay for 1k right now... that doesn't mean anyone is crazy enough to buy them but well.. ya know.
I'm fairly certain that they are worth the 250...
I Plan on posting some detailed photos and perhaps shedding a new light on these "strange t-tops"....
I have to admit that I was a bit upset that they were not astro-tops... But these may prove to be even more cool.I'm just wondering if anyone has more info on these...
I'm fairly certain that they are worth the 250...
I Plan on posting some detailed photos and perhaps shedding a new light on these "strange t-tops"....
I have to admit that I was a bit upset that they were not astro-tops... But these may prove to be even more cool.I'm just wondering if anyone has more info on these...