Astro Tops - T top replacements?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
I bought a one piece Astro top for my 76. It squeaked and rattled and did not seal at all. I attribute these problems to a very large acrylic top with no structural strength. The T-tops may be better, but these acrylic tops scratch easily and will not look good in a short period of time.
Though in general, acrylic tops will scratch more easily than say glass. If your car has T-tops, I'd stick with T-tops vs. a single piece of acrylic that can crack.
Astro Top also has a bad history of their lense coming unglued from the frame on the C4 tops. Not sure about the C3 tops they do. On my C4, I found one day over half of the top was unglued. Mr. Thompson at Astro Top didn't seem to care and wouldn't tell me what glue they used so I could get the lense reglued.
You are liable if the lense flys off and hits something or possibly kills someone.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Channahon Illinois
Just purchased a Astro Top for my 1980 Corvette. I had to contact Customer Service because the installation instruction did not come with top. They Email me the instruction the next day. Installed top and had no problems. Really like the looks and it seals lot better than my T-tops did. I order the top from them direct for $399.00..... Shipping $90.00..... Top storage bag $40.00. Cost was a lot cheaper than buying new T-Top. Would buy from them again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 279
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
I bought one in 1998 for my 1975 when one of my T-Tops had a broken pin area and a large crack in the fiberglass.
Picked up a used T-Top at Carlise in 2000 and sold the Astro top to a forum member in 2000.
Although it fit good, no water leaks, and lots more headroom, it SQUEAKED a lot! I'd never get another Astro top again.
Picked up a used T-Top at Carlise in 2000 and sold the Astro top to a forum member in 2000.
Although it fit good, no water leaks, and lots more headroom, it SQUEAKED a lot! I'd never get another Astro top again.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,616
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
I had a astro top one piece on a 77 I had. No problems.
I just bought one for my 80, looks great no problems with it. Also no problems with them answering the phone.
You have to remember you are paying $400 for it. You will pay upwards of $1000 for factory glass. So it may seem a little cheap looking. But it is fine and fits as good as the t roofs.
I just bought one for my 80, looks great no problems with it. Also no problems with them answering the phone.
You have to remember you are paying $400 for it. You will pay upwards of $1000 for factory glass. So it may seem a little cheap looking. But it is fine and fits as good as the t roofs.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 261
Likes: 1
From: Montgomery TX
Astro Tops
Anyone use these guys or know anything about their quality? My '80 is more of a driver and doesn't need factory original glass and I need to fix a cracked passenger side mirrored top. Price doesn't look bad but, want to hear from someone who has used them before trying them.
http://www.astrotops.com/gmtops.html#
Thanks,
http://www.astrotops.com/gmtops.html#
Thanks,
I personally don't like the one piece top. The mounting system requires a screw drive to install and remove and the mounts are big blocks of clear acrylic glued to the underside of the top. It is well made and secure but not my thing. I would go for the acrylic T-tops. They look stock and retain the factory frame and mounting system.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 3
From: STANTON CA
I bought one in 1998 for my 1975 when one of my T-Tops had a broken pin area and a large crack in the fiberglass.
Picked up a used T-Top at Carlise in 2000 and sold the Astro top to a forum member in 2000.
Although it fit good, no water leaks, and lots more headroom, it SQUEAKED a lot! I'd never get another Astro top again.
Picked up a used T-Top at Carlise in 2000 and sold the Astro top to a forum member in 2000.
Although it fit good, no water leaks, and lots more headroom, it SQUEAKED a lot! I'd never get another Astro top again.
weather strip front and back, then make sure everything
is tight
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 261
Likes: 1
From: Montgomery TX
Correction
They will also rebuild your existing glass tee tops with acrylic instead of Glass for $699 plus your cores. Cuts about 15 lbs of weight and you have a choice of colors. This beats $1200 for a new set of Glass tops that will crack again.
I personally don't like the one piece top. The mounting system requires a screw drive to install and remove and the mounts are big blocks of clear acrylic glued to the underside of the top. It is well made and secure but not my thing. I would go for the acrylic T-tops. They look stock and retain the factory frame and mounting system.
I personally don't like the one piece top. The mounting system requires a screw drive to install and remove and the mounts are big blocks of clear acrylic glued to the underside of the top. It is well made and secure but not my thing. I would go for the acrylic T-tops. They look stock and retain the factory frame and mounting system.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '12
The shop is located in Florence, Alabama. I live about 15 miles from him and have been a customer for several years. He has just about every top you could want. I personally have bought 3 tops from him and will be buying a set for my 73 project when I get to that point. The tops I have bought were two for a C5, a smoke gray and a solid black. Both are perfect with no leaks and no whistling. The other was a one piece for my 81 and it works great. If you can get to his shop to buy the tops he will fit and adjust them for you at no charge. If there is any way that I can help just let me know.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 3
From: STANTON CA
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
78-82 tops have one latch at each front corner and a tongue which slps into a receiver on the halo panel. The halo panel connector ties the tops to the factory alarem system.
68-77 tops have two latches and use different hardware on the halo panel. The tops are not part of the alarm system.
Swapping either for the other will require the appropriate hardware on the halo panel.
68-77 tops have two latches and use different hardware on the halo panel. The tops are not part of the alarm system.
Swapping either for the other will require the appropriate hardware on the halo panel.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 360
Likes: 1
From: Abilene Texas
Racer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 360
Likes: 1
From: Abilene Texas
Just purchased a Astro Top for my 1980 Corvette. I had to contact Customer Service because the installation instruction did not come with top. They Email me the instruction the next day. Installed top and had no problems. Really like the looks and it seals lot better than my T-tops did. I order the top from them direct for $399.00..... Shipping $90.00..... Top storage bag $40.00. Cost was a lot cheaper than buying new T-Top. Would buy from them again.
