Hard top for a '72 vert?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 7,996
Likes: 0
From: McAlester Oklahoma
Hard top for a '72 vert?
What's a good hard top for a '72 vert worth? Some guy told me he had one and doesn't need it any more. I ask what he wanted and he said he didn't know. He gave me his phone and address and told me to come by and check it out. What should I offer? I have no idea.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Headliner, glass, and hardware are expensive components, so if these are in decent shape it is hard to find a top for <$500. If you are going to look at it, drive over in your vette. Easiest way to bring it home is on your vette.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I think the range above is about right: $600 to $1000. Start deducting if the headliner is missing/bad (~$400 to replace), weatherstrip (most that I've seen are bad. ~$250 to replace) and worst of all, the back glass. If you can find a glass, it'll really cost you. Most of the replacements are plastic which, in my opinion anyways, almost defeats the purpose of a hardtop; good visibility.
Although not as expensive as repainting, if it is a vinyl covered top, check the vinyl over. Replacement isn't all that expensive, but not that easy of a job.
Although not as expensive as repainting, if it is a vinyl covered top, check the vinyl over. Replacement isn't all that expensive, but not that easy of a job.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Spokane WA
I've done a great deal of searching for tops for my 71. My experience over the past year or so has been pretty close to the numbers that others have posted here ($400-$1000 for the bulk). I have run across a few crazies that wanted as much as $2000-$2500, and although for very nice tops, this seems way out of line for something that was produced in relatively high numbers. If you are looking for a perfect, original top that matches the numbers on your car for perhaps NCRS judging, than perhaps I could see these numbers becoming more realistic. Otherwise it's ridiculous. The biggest problem I have run into is finding a top close eneough to drive to. Most sellers are not willing to ship and shipping costs as much as a top in many cases anyway. If anyone out there has or knows of a top in the Pacific Northwest, I'm looking.
As others have mentioned, things like glass and trim make a big difference. The trim that runs around the front section of the top can be very difficult to find and many tops have dings in those areas. Front corners for instance are very suceptible to damage. Most other parts are available pretty readily in the aftermarket.
As others have mentioned, things like glass and trim make a big difference. The trim that runs around the front section of the top can be very difficult to find and many tops have dings in those areas. Front corners for instance are very suceptible to damage. Most other parts are available pretty readily in the aftermarket.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
I think that the shipping issue is a big part of what makes the prices so low. My advice is to watch ebay. I found mine there in perfect condition. I had to drive about 4 hours to get it and when I got home I found one 10 minutes way for the same price. It's hard for them to get bids when it's a local pick up.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 755
Likes: 1
From: Hobart Tasmania
My '72 had a hard top that came with the car when I bought it.
Don't believe it was original to the car because the rear glass is dated '69, however I have one and it fits very well.
The only time I had it on was when the car was shipped out to Australia and then when I took it to an NCRS meet in Melbourne.
I did find even though all care was taken uncluding putting a clear plastic strip under the weather strip it still left an indentation in the paint on the rear deck lid.
Have seen many convertibles and this seems to be a common problem. It doesn't matter how soft or hard the top is fitted there is always going to be flexing/movement and this will mark/indent the paint.
Don't believe it was original to the car because the rear glass is dated '69, however I have one and it fits very well.
The only time I had it on was when the car was shipped out to Australia and then when I took it to an NCRS meet in Melbourne.
I did find even though all care was taken uncluding putting a clear plastic strip under the weather strip it still left an indentation in the paint on the rear deck lid.
Have seen many convertibles and this seems to be a common problem. It doesn't matter how soft or hard the top is fitted there is always going to be flexing/movement and this will mark/indent the paint.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
My '72 had a hard top that came with the car when I bought it.
Don't believe it was original to the car because the rear glass is dated '69, however I have one and it fits very well.
The only time I had it on was when the car was shipped out to Australia and then when I took it to an NCRS meet in Melbourne.
I did find even though all care was taken uncluding putting a clear plastic strip under the weather strip it still left an indentation in the paint on the rear deck lid.
Have seen many convertibles and this seems to be a common problem. It doesn't matter how soft or hard the top is fitted there is always going to be flexing/movement and this will mark/indent the paint.
Don't believe it was original to the car because the rear glass is dated '69, however I have one and it fits very well.
The only time I had it on was when the car was shipped out to Australia and then when I took it to an NCRS meet in Melbourne.
I did find even though all care was taken uncluding putting a clear plastic strip under the weather strip it still left an indentation in the paint on the rear deck lid.
Have seen many convertibles and this seems to be a common problem. It doesn't matter how soft or hard the top is fitted there is always going to be flexing/movement and this will mark/indent the paint.
I have used a strip of Paint Protection Film on my decklid for several years now. The PPF is stuck to the decklid where the Clear plastic (Cleartastic?) uses static cling to hold it in place. It is the moving around which causes the marks/erosion in the paint.
The weatherstrip on the soft top is trying to eat into the film but it is getting nowhere
