So I have a '72 convertible that I've completely reconditioned (not frame-off, but pretty darn close). I'm running w/the hardtop at the moment b/c my soft top is in rags. The frame is in top condition...just need a new top. I've contacted Al Knoch and it's either wait until next spring for their next show that's closest to me (around 300 mi.) or take the car to them in El Paso...over 1000 mi away.

I've done just about everything on this car, but I don't think I want to tackle the soft top installation. Does anyone know of any place relatively close to central Arkansas that can properly install one for me? I can't find one.

Or, I understand Al Knoch has an installation video. Has anyone here installed their own top with no prior experience by using his or another guide and what were the results?

Thanks y'all!

 

This is all I got for you. (Have heard good things about Al Knoch's video)


http://rowleycorvette.com/corvette_repair3.html

 

Thank you.

 

Buddy and I did my top back in Dec 2005 with no experience between us, just the video. Still looks great. Just took our time and thought through every step, measured three times before cutting, and used some common sense.

I did get a cloth top versus vinyl. Judge for yourself.

 

Nice job. Mine came with the cloth top and I wouldnt go any other way.

 

Same boat as the OP, using the hard top, need to redo the soft.

 

I installed an Al Knock soft top a few months ago using his video and it turned out great. I had never installed a top before either.

Just a couple of things. If your top and or windows need to be adjusted, do that before installing the new top. Also, the video is maybe 20 years old and makes no refrence to a cloth top. The cloth is not quite as forgiving of monir wrinkles as a vinyl top would be, so if you go cloth, keep that in mind. Otherwise, the video is very detailed and will walk you right thru it.

 

Seems like there is a plethora of installers in your neck of the woods who will install an Electron brand ragtop:

AFFORDABLE UPHOLSTERY
5710 Patterson
Little Rock, AR 72209
(501) 343-5635

ALL NEEDS UPHOLSTERY
2246 E Grand
Hot Springs, AR 71901-9726
(501) 624-1796

ARKANSAS SEAT COVER CO
1721 Towson Ave
Fort Smith, AR 72901-5417
(501) 782-0464

B + G CUSTOM AUT0
750 9th Ave
Conway, AR 72032-6640
(501) 329-3343

BROWNS AUTO TRIM
3500 Parker St
N Little Rock, AR 72119-4818
(501) 753-3760

BUDDYS CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY
9905 Highway 5
Cabot, AR 72023
(501) 988-9881
BUDDYSUPHOLSTERY@YAHOO.COM

COBY CUSTOM AUTO
4 Ivy Drive
Little Rock, AR 72209-2107
(501) 240-6014

CURLYS TRIM SHOP
901 N 10th St
Fort Smith, AR 72901-1507
(501) 783-0497

DAVID SMITH AUTO UPH
8519 Arch St
Little Rock, AR 72206-3948
(501) 562-3758

DOYNES GLASS + TRIM
P O Box 433
Austin, AR 72007-0361
(501) 758-9636

GENES CUSTOM UPH
105 S Cardinal Dr Apt 59
Mountain Home, AR 72653-4142
(501) 424-7380

GENES UPHOLSTERY
13825 Helenwood Dr
N Little Rock, AR 72118-1432
(501) 851-3363

GLISSONS AUTO SOUND AND ACCESSY
920 Hobson Avenue
Hot Springs, AR 71913-3403
(501) 321-1975

MALVERN AUTO GLASS + TRIM
320 Hot Springs Street
Malvern, AR 72104-2714
(501) 332-5400

PERFORMANCE UPHOLSTERY
101 Judy Court
Hot Springs, AR 71913-5822
(501) 655-4411

POSSUM GRAPE UPHOLSTERY
Hwy 367 North
Bradford, AR 72020-9717
(501) 344-8315

SEARCY INTERIORS
2707 S Main St
Searcy, AR 72143-9159
(501) 268-1597

SECOND SHIFT AUTO UPH
13371 Hwy 43 South
Siloam Springs, AR 72761-8328
(501) 524-4640