68-69 hardtop question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 333
Likes: 2
From: Aurora Colorado
68-69 hardtop question
I have a vynal hardtop with only two mounting bolt holes and no evidence of the third middle bracket being removed, also my wife found a "cv" date code on the rear window that should be November 69. I have read that only the 68 and early 69 came without the third mounting bolt but November 69 is a little late in the year. Are the two bolt hardtops sought out? Is there any extra value to them? We are thinking about selling it as it doesn't look like it was the original that came with our car. Also, did all the vert deck lids come with the middle bolt hole in them regardless if the car came with a hardtop or not? Our deck lid has the hole but our hard top does not. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
I have a vynal hardtop with only two mounting bolt holes and no evidence of the third middle bracket being removed, also my wife found a "cv" date code on the rear window that should be November 69. I have read that only the 68 and early 69 came without the third mounting bolt but November 69 is a little late in the year. Are the two bolt hardtops sought out? Is there any extra value to them? We are thinking about selling it as it doesn't look like it was the original that came with our car. Also, did all the vert deck lids come with the middle bolt hole in them regardless if the car came with a hardtop or not? Our deck lid has the hole but our hard top does not. Thanks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 333
Likes: 2
From: Aurora Colorado
On these hardtops, do they have two clip in bolts that go into the latch holes or bolts with a washer and nut? Mine has none, my soft top has threaded bolts on both sides and I know they are not suppose to be like that (just received the correct ones today). I have read that the hard tops bolt in through the latch holes, if that is correct how do you put the washers and nuts on with the soft top under it? I'm guessing that they don't bolt in and what I read was wrong.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 333
Likes: 2
From: Aurora Colorado
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,400
Likes: 1,227
From: Tampa Florida
On these hardtops, do they have two clip in bolts that go into the latch holes or bolts with a washer and nut? Mine has none, my soft top has threaded bolts on both sides and I know they are not suppose to be like that (just received the correct ones today). I have read that the hard tops bolt in through the latch holes, if that is correct how do you put the washers and nuts on with the soft top under it? I'm guessing that they don't bolt in and what I read was wrong.
I think the hardtop on my '71 is a '68 or '69. It has the center threaded bolt and 2 threaded studs w/ washers and nuts that go through the latch holes. It's a pain to install/remove.
Here's how I remove mine.....I release the 3 front latches, then release the deck lid and raise the top to remove the 3 nuts and washers. Then I lower the top back down making sure the deck lid closes shut, then I remove the 2 side bolts. Now the hard top should be free to raise up and remove.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Purchase the assembly instruction manual (AIM). The AIM shows the factory installation of the optional hardtop and will also show whether the center thumb screw was used or not. Early cars did not have it; later cars do.
It also shows the rear studs on the hardtop and the nuts and spacers used on the underside of the decklid.
My April built 68 does not have the thumb screw.
It also shows the rear studs on the hardtop and the nuts and spacers used on the underside of the decklid.
My April built 68 does not have the thumb screw.
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 360
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Hi,
I am not sure what year the center mount was added, however 68 and (I think) 69 hardtops did not have the center mount. I am not sure when it was added but it is definitly a later production if the center mount is present. So, all tops specific to a particular build either had them or did not.
Not sure what year car you have however my guess is that top was built either for a real late 69 or early 1970 car.
Hope that helps.
I am not sure what year the center mount was added, however 68 and (I think) 69 hardtops did not have the center mount. I am not sure when it was added but it is definitly a later production if the center mount is present. So, all tops specific to a particular build either had them or did not.
Not sure what year car you have however my guess is that top was built either for a real late 69 or early 1970 car.
Hope that helps.
Last edited by avalonjohn; Feb 6, 2012 at 05:36 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
I have a February '69 convertible and it does not have the center hole. I understand that later '69s do. Supposedly the additional mounting bolt was to better seal the top from water.
When I purchased a hardtop for my car it had the three bolts. It was a simple job to drill out the rivets for the center bolt bracket.
When I purchased a hardtop for my car it had the three bolts. It was a simple job to drill out the rivets for the center bolt bracket.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
On these hardtops, do they have two clip in bolts that go into the latch holes or bolts with a washer and nut? Mine has none, my soft top has threaded bolts on both sides and I know they are not suppose to be like that (just received the correct ones today). I have read that the hard tops bolt in through the latch holes, if that is correct how do you put the washers and nuts on with the soft top under it? I'm guessing that they don't bolt in and what I read was wrong.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: N J
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 333
Likes: 2
From: Aurora Colorado
There is absolutely no way I can reach those bolts with the soft top folded under the deck lid. Question: did verts come with shoulder strap belts? I have rear mouldings made for shoulder belts to roll up into but no shoulder belt. I thought the shoulder belts were taken out, maybe I have the wrong mouldings? The shoulder belt part of the moulding is what is blocking access to the bolts I think.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
If I'm wrong I hope someone corrects me, but I believe convertibles began being equipped with shoulder harnesses beginning about March of '69. I remember reading that because my car was assembled on Feb. 20 and it only has lap belts.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Kissimmee fl
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As for the rear quarter trim the 68-69 was different than the 70 and later, it was narrow at the bottom and widened at the top to cover the top mechanism. That said, both styles cover about the same area of the folded top.
When I put the hard top on my car, I set the top on the car, latch the 3 front latches, insert the two bolts in the edge of the rear deck just behind the seats. Tighten those two bolts, unlatch the 3 front latches, unlatch the rear deck, raise the hard top and prop it up with something, this will get enough room to get under the deck to install the nuts and washers on the studs thru the deck. ( yes that is the correct way) The next time I install the hard top on my car, I plan on trying the soft top pins as suggested above.
By the way, I leave the soft top in place.
Last edited by c69vete; Feb 6, 2012 at 09:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 333
Likes: 2
From: Aurora Colorado
Shoulder belts for convertibles in 69 were still an option, standard for the coupes. IIRC there were only about 300 so equipted convertibles ordered in 69.
As for the rear quarter trim the 68-69 was different than the 70 and later, it was narrow at the bottom and widened at the top to cover the top mechanism. That said, both styles cover about the same area of the folded top.
When I put the hard top on my car, I set the top on the car, latch the 3 front latches, insert the two bolts in the edge of the rear deck just behind the seats. Tighten those two bolts, unlatch the 3 front latches, unlatch the rear deck, raise the hard top and prop it up with something, this will get enough room to get under the deck to install the nuts and washers on the studs thru the deck. ( yes that is the correct way) The next time I install the hard top on my car, I plan on trying the soft top pins as suggested above.
By the way, I leave the soft top in place.
As for the rear quarter trim the 68-69 was different than the 70 and later, it was narrow at the bottom and widened at the top to cover the top mechanism. That said, both styles cover about the same area of the folded top.
When I put the hard top on my car, I set the top on the car, latch the 3 front latches, insert the two bolts in the edge of the rear deck just behind the seats. Tighten those two bolts, unlatch the 3 front latches, unlatch the rear deck, raise the hard top and prop it up with something, this will get enough room to get under the deck to install the nuts and washers on the studs thru the deck. ( yes that is the correct way) The next time I install the hard top on my car, I plan on trying the soft top pins as suggested above.
By the way, I leave the soft top in place.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Here's how I remove mine.....I release the 3 front latches, then release the deck lid and raise the top to remove the 3 nuts and washers. Then I lower the top back down making sure the deck lid closes shut, then I remove the 2 side bolts. Now the hard top should be free to raise up and remove.
I throw a towel in between the deck lid and and soft top as well as one between the rear window folds to protect the top and keep the window from getting scratched up while it's down.
No need to remove the soft top to install the hard top. It's a real PITA getting the soft top lined back up again if you ever have to remove it for any reason.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Kissimmee fl
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