T-Tops
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 140
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From: Ames Iowa
T-Tops
Considering some smoked glass T-Tops for my '78. Has any one purchased from Thompson Astro Tops or recommend somewhere with good quality/prices? I know nothing about this company other than they sell what I'm maybe looking for.
This company sells several different tops depending on year I think. Thanks.
This company sells several different tops depending on year I think. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,115
Likes: 671
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Smoked tops
I bought a one piece smoked amber top for my 79 after the T-tops were stolen. I wasn't all that crazy about the top, but it did work and when you consider the low price I guess it was wouth what I paind for it. Sold it to another fourm member a few years back.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 140
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From: Ames Iowa
Well, I'm thinking that I wanted the T-Tops (2 pieces obviously) but I was curious about quality primarily.
Did you not like the one piece design, the quality, price, or something else?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 345
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From: Sebago Lake Maine
St. Jude Donor '09
Here's another meaningful reply.
I have a set of their acrylic T tops. Just like the factory glass except smoked acrylic. Same hardware. Got them at Carlisle a couple years ago. I gave them my old cracked glass aftermarket tops and about 500 bucks. I'm pretty happy with them. A lot lighter than glass to handle. Can't break them but they will scratch or scuff easier than glass so you need to be careful cleaning them.
I have a set of their acrylic T tops. Just like the factory glass except smoked acrylic. Same hardware. Got them at Carlisle a couple years ago. I gave them my old cracked glass aftermarket tops and about 500 bucks. I'm pretty happy with them. A lot lighter than glass to handle. Can't break them but they will scratch or scuff easier than glass so you need to be careful cleaning them.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 140
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From: Ames Iowa
I don't even know if this Thompson Company is glass or plexiglass/acrylic or what.
Got a link or a full name?
(You're right, it was meaningful and I appreciate that)
OR:
Did you buy this Thompson brand or from them at the Carlisle Show and swap meet deal?
Last edited by gs78vette; May 23, 2010 at 08:33 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,652
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From: Shamong, NJ
What is Carlisle or what is the full name. A quick Google search didn't turn it up. You're not talking about this company I mentioned but another named Carlisle something? Sounds similar.
I don't even know if this Thompson Company is glass or plexiglass/acrylic or what.
Got a link or a full name?
(You're right, it was meaningful and I appreciate that)
OR:
Did you buy this Thompson brand or from them at the Carlisle Show and swap meet deal?
I don't even know if this Thompson Company is glass or plexiglass/acrylic or what.
Got a link or a full name?
(You're right, it was meaningful and I appreciate that)
OR:
Did you buy this Thompson brand or from them at the Carlisle Show and swap meet deal?
Thompson's are acrylic (plastic) not glass like originals. They do not offer glass ones. I think they have a couple different smoked tops, some using original GM (glass top) frames and some that mount using their own design hardware. I don't think they wholesale, which is why most Corvette vendors only offer the real glass tops. It's sort of funny, the company that makes the glass tops, Melrose, only sell their tops wholesale to other vendors. Unlike Thompson, they don't sell direct.
Quality wise, they're ok. Though, as Sebago Shark said, being acrylic they're much easier to scratch or mark.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 140
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From: Ames Iowa
I'm sure he means Carlisle, PA, probably at the August Corvettes @Carlisle. Thompson vends there and also Spring Carlisle, but I don't recall seeing Drew (Thompson, the owner) at Fall Carlisle ever.
Quality wise, they're ok. Though, as Sebago Shark said, being acrylic they're much easier to scratch or mark.
Quality wise, they're ok. Though, as Sebago Shark said, being acrylic they're much easier to scratch or mark.
I've got my fiberglass T-Tops only with nothing to trade. I would prefer glass, especially after Sebago Shark's less than glowing assessment.
The $1100 to $1200 is quite a bit of money. Even good used ones would be only a little less if they were really good. Far more ideas and plans than money at the moment so prioritizing is necessary.
Thompson's price sounded so good until I read the small print over on the side that said it was made of high performance break-resistant lens.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,691
Likes: 833
From: WI
I bought a set of new tops from these guys:
http://www.melroset-tops.com/products/t-tops.html
I haven't because I'm not quite there with the resto ...but they look great from the inspection. A lot of forum members buy them, either direct or through a number of vette parts sellers. If you are going to Bloomington Gold, they are usuall there. Check your PM.
Mark G
http://www.melroset-tops.com/products/t-tops.html
I haven't because I'm not quite there with the resto ...but they look great from the inspection. A lot of forum members buy them, either direct or through a number of vette parts sellers. If you are going to Bloomington Gold, they are usuall there. Check your PM.
Mark G
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 140
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From: Ames Iowa
I bought a set of new tops from these guys:
http://www.melroset-tops.com/products/t-tops.html
If you are going to Bloomington Gold, they are usuall there.
Mark G
http://www.melroset-tops.com/products/t-tops.html
If you are going to Bloomington Gold, they are usuall there.
Mark G
I was told by another member that this event is one of the biggest if not the biggest Corvette event there is. The web site shows that it should be huge and excellent if the weather is good (the usual).
General observation shows decent quality level on the set you bought I assume? Did you go with the mirror finish or one of the smoked "flavors"?
I was considering the smoked gray I think. Brown with the black car seems wrong and the blue is more expensive I think. I like the gray best anyway I believe right now.
Very astute PM, I'll be all over it for info and maybe more. Thank you for your insight!
edit: Mark G - do they sell without a trade? I only have my fiberglass tops so I have nothing to part with.
Greg
Last edited by gs78vette; May 24, 2010 at 01:10 AM.
