Installing Hardtop on '69
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 561
Likes: 1
From: No longer in Heaven
My NCRS guide says that '68s and early '69s DID NOT have the rear middle stud in the hard top, it was added during '69 run, so there are only 7 points of contact.
The glass on my car is dated June/July '68 for a September '68 build, and the hard top glass is dated March '69, so it looks like the original owner wanted a hard top after he had the car for a while. This also makes sense that there are not the side recepticles for the bolts behind the seats, the car was not intended to have a hard top.
Again, while this is all very interesting, it still doesn't help with the installation of the hard top while the soft top is in the car!
Without the side bolts, and hence no way to slightly raise the rear deck to get at the rear studs, I think the only way is to take out the soft top, which is exactly where I am anyway.
And yes, I did mark the location of the soft top brackets with a sharpie pen so if and when I put the soft top back in, it shouldn't be that difficult to get it adjusted--theoretically.
The glass on my car is dated June/July '68 for a September '68 build, and the hard top glass is dated March '69, so it looks like the original owner wanted a hard top after he had the car for a while. This also makes sense that there are not the side recepticles for the bolts behind the seats, the car was not intended to have a hard top.
Again, while this is all very interesting, it still doesn't help with the installation of the hard top while the soft top is in the car!
Without the side bolts, and hence no way to slightly raise the rear deck to get at the rear studs, I think the only way is to take out the soft top, which is exactly where I am anyway.
And yes, I did mark the location of the soft top brackets with a sharpie pen so if and when I put the soft top back in, it shouldn't be that difficult to get it adjusted--theoretically.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
i think i would be looking at how i could swap those threaded rods to the same type of stud that the soft top uses...maybe they just are a screw in replacement? that way you just have the lever to pull to get it out
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 374
Likes: 1
From: Forsyth Illinois
You are correct on the early 69s being like the 68s w/just the 2 outer points.You should have a small u-shaped bracket,a washer,and nut per side.There is no real trick to this,but it isn't easy to get back there,and hold the u-bracket in place one handed,and then put the washer,and start the nut all w/the same hand,but doable.it's just a pain.Sorry I can't be more help.Most people don't use their hardtops,so it isn't a issue.I also,like to drive my car as much as possible,and into the late fall,but usually remove the soft top prior for room.This roadster has a roll bar,so soft top won't seat far enough down to close the rear deck,so unless it is up...it's in the back shop office.
Happy motoring.....
Happy motoring.....
