Convertible Top Replacement
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Convertible Top Replacement
I have a few questions that I'm sure you folks can answer:
- Recommended to get the DVD from Al Knoch or one of the vendors?
- Recommended Vendor?
- If directly from Al Knoch, then does anyone have his Phone # - the site has been down for a couple of days.
- I need to have the REAR bow straightened. I have Sully's information, but would like to find someone on the EAST COAST if possible
Thanks!
Paul
- Recommended to get the DVD from Al Knoch or one of the vendors?
- Recommended Vendor?
- If directly from Al Knoch, then does anyone have his Phone # - the site has been down for a couple of days.
- I need to have the REAR bow straightened. I have Sully's information, but would like to find someone on the EAST COAST if possible
Thanks!
Paul
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
I recommend the Al Knoch instructional DVD....expensive, but well worth the money. Just take your time, follow instructions..and you'll get it. My father is pretty handy guy with patience, and has done the top on his own C3 as well as mine. I bought the video from Ecklers a while back.. Highly recommended
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 792
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
If you can get to Corvettes@Carlisle - all the vendors are there and will take time answering your questions and showing you 'how-to' stuff. There were vendors installing rag tops on frames also.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,419
Likes: 22
From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
I replaced the rag top on my old car. I don't remember the vendor, but it was something anyone even slightly handy can do if they are patient and follow directions. One thing to check out before you start is your tacking strips. On a '69, they might be very dry rotted and will crumble if you try to tack a new top into them. Needless to say, I learned this from experience.
It took me about 10 hours or so to complete the change, and if I did it again, I am sure I could do it in half of that time. I have heard that the people replacing them at shows do so in less than an hour, that should give you some feel for the difficulty level.
PK
It took me about 10 hours or so to complete the change, and if I did it again, I am sure I could do it in half of that time. I have heard that the people replacing them at shows do so in less than an hour, that should give you some feel for the difficulty level.
PK
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Thanks for the replies.
Not going to Carlisle!
Don't need to completely disassemble the frame.
DVD is on order as well as the rest of the odds and ends I need.
All I need to do now is decide what to do about the slightly dented rear bow. I hate to send it all the way out to the West Coast to Sully's, but that may be my best option if I can't find anyone locally who HAS done it. I do have a press and can handle most anything, but I would really hate to distort the bow so I'm hesitant to even try.
Now, off to get the rust cleaned up and the new tack strips in...
Not going to Carlisle!
Don't need to completely disassemble the frame.
DVD is on order as well as the rest of the odds and ends I need.
All I need to do now is decide what to do about the slightly dented rear bow. I hate to send it all the way out to the West Coast to Sully's, but that may be my best option if I can't find anyone locally who HAS done it. I do have a press and can handle most anything, but I would really hate to distort the bow so I'm hesitant to even try.
Now, off to get the rust cleaned up and the new tack strips in...
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
New England Events Coordinator
Al Knoch
I to went to Al for the DVD and the materials. The top and other materials all seemed to be quality stuff. The refurb/install went well, you just need to follow the instructions closely and take your time. It was tough dealing with Al so far from MA.
There is a local shop in RI that also supplies tops but I do not have any experience with them: http://www.convertibletopguys.com/cg...at.cgi?cat=889
The most important step is getting the vinyl correctly positioned on the 1st bar, if this is done properly the rest falls into place. Let me know if you have questions along the way. Good luck.
There is a local shop in RI that also supplies tops but I do not have any experience with them: http://www.convertibletopguys.com/cg...at.cgi?cat=889
The most important step is getting the vinyl correctly positioned on the 1st bar, if this is done properly the rest falls into place. Let me know if you have questions along the way. Good luck.
