grey hound or what?

 

Protect the window and the corners, wrap in a non-scratch blanket, duct tape, wrap again with a blue tarp, duct tape, send it Greyhound or UPS Ground if you want tracking. Almost think Greyhound is the better option, it doesn't wander around extrainous hubs.

I do not recommend big box+peanuts, the size of the box=extra frieght charges, in my case, my top had to be shipped UPS Freight, a 60 pound top=325 pounds by dimension formula=$420. UPS Freight is not our beloved UPS Ground It took a tortured route, a long time to get here, and I could not track it the last leg

 

How far ? Where to?

 

I have not used it before but I hear Uship.com is good for shipping unique items and vehicles.

 

Someone let me borrow a C3 vert, give me a gas card, and I'll deliver wherever you want for free.

 

 

19hour drive into the north : /

I'm trying to buy a hard top in Michigan

 

You definitely don't want ot box it up in packing peanuts. If it is going by a freight carrier, be absolutely sure it is well crated, and that it can't move around on the crate. I've seen plenty of stuff come in my warehouse that the dock workers just destroyed. Sometimes it's like they just don't care. I love the idea of throwing on someone's convertible for personal delivery!

 

Take a weekend and drive up and get it. Saves you freight costs and insurance and you won't have to fret over what might happen to it if it was shipped.

Second option is to see if the seller can meet you halfway.

 

Build a wooden crate around it. I was very gratified to find an acceptable top near my home. Drove the vert over, put the top on, and drove it home. Shipping is not only prohibitively expensive, but nerve-racking.

 

I agree. There is a (1968) top in the For Sales section that looks to be in fine condition and I believe will fit my 1974. It is white (my car is red) but a new black vinyl finish would make it superb. And I can have that done locally.

However, boxing it for shipment (Greyhound) from PA to Ontario (~400 miles) will probably run about $450.00 plus as you say the anxiety of hoping it arrives intact. So I have not contacted the seller and have given up on the Christmas present to me.

 

Pack it on a pallet, and send it ltl. It should be well less than $500, and no one will be "handling" it, nor is it likely to be dropped.

 

What is ltl?

 

ltl means "less than truckload" Having worked for one of the big three trucking companies back in the day, I would never ship it ltl strapped to a pallet. You have no idea what goes on in trucking terminals !!

 

then how would you suggest packaging it

 

If niether are an option then find one that is within driving distance. The "asking" prices on hardtops vary greatly. If you don't have to have one right now search around and you might be able to find one that is more local or a seller who IS willing to meet you 1/2 way. Besides being able to see what you're getting before you pay for it is much less stressfull.

 

As an aside, does anyone have a pic as to how the top attaches near the doors? I have an AIM but it is not clear to me. It looks like brackets and bolts must be purchased?? But what do they bolt to?

 

I agree with building a crate around it on top of a pallet. Also build it roughly 1 inch bigger on each side so you can put insulation foam around it to protect it during shipping. Or do like others have said, wait and find one local.