68 removable hardtop cost?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 66
Likes: 4
From: Tampa FL
68 removable hardtop cost?
What's the going rate for a 1968 removable hardtop (good condition that will need repainting and some cleaning up of the chrome and weather stripping).
If I get a later model hardtop with the chrome tips, do the tips come off easy, and do the unprotected corners of a later hardtop look different under the chrome tips than a true 68?
Thanks much.
TJ
If I get a later model hardtop with the chrome tips, do the tips come off easy, and do the unprotected corners of a later hardtop look different under the chrome tips than a true 68?
Thanks much.
TJ
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
My 68 came from the factory with a removable hardtop. I really like the looks of the car with the hardtop, it was equally as attractive as the coupe.
On a flat smooth freeway, the hardtop was nice. It made the car a lot quieter.
The above is the best I can say about the hardtop. The 68 has a lot of body flex, more so than later year convertibles. Look at the top of the windshield, with the convertible top lifted off. See the pot metal castings at the extreme left and right of the top of the windshield frame. They have holes in them for the soft top and hard top pins to go into. Body flexing meant that when I received my 68 in 72 (73?), these holes were completed ripped open by the hard top bouncing around. On a bumpy road the hard top made a lot of banging noises and it bounced around. To remove and replace these top upper windshield frame castings you have to remove (destroy) the windshield. After doing this I never used my hardtop again.
In later convertibles, the doors had "fingers" that fit into door sill "sleeves" to reduce flexing of the body. Also, in 68 the hardtop was attached to the soft top access door with two bolts. Late three bolts were used.
On a flat smooth freeway, the hardtop was nice. It made the car a lot quieter.
The above is the best I can say about the hardtop. The 68 has a lot of body flex, more so than later year convertibles. Look at the top of the windshield, with the convertible top lifted off. See the pot metal castings at the extreme left and right of the top of the windshield frame. They have holes in them for the soft top and hard top pins to go into. Body flexing meant that when I received my 68 in 72 (73?), these holes were completed ripped open by the hard top bouncing around. On a bumpy road the hard top made a lot of banging noises and it bounced around. To remove and replace these top upper windshield frame castings you have to remove (destroy) the windshield. After doing this I never used my hardtop again.
In later convertibles, the doors had "fingers" that fit into door sill "sleeves" to reduce flexing of the body. Also, in 68 the hardtop was attached to the soft top access door with two bolts. Late three bolts were used.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
I think you should be able to find something that needs some work and a re-paint in the $500.00 - $750.00 range. For that price you most likely will need to fix a small crack or two, maybe a weatherstrip or some hardware, re-dye the headliner and a repaint. To have something nice I think you will be in the $1000.00 - $1200.00 range by the time you're done. Try to find something that does not have to be shipped. Go pick it up or maybe you can meet 1/2.
Good luck in your search.
Good luck in your search.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Maine
I bought a 1974 hardtop (Glass is dated) for 500 bucks the guy also threw in a wind deflector. I have the top hooked to the wall in the garage. I don't think I'll ever use the hardtop but Hagerty says it brings the value of the car up 2,800. ???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
I am also thinking about removing the stainless tips from my 71 hardtop in order to make it look 68 style.
This should be easy and I even believe that it is not visible on the hardtopfiberglass . If you need to repaint, you definitely can rework any scratches left over from the tips.
When I bought my 68, both top receptacles on the fwd windshield posts were ripped apart as well. My 68 appears never to have driven with a hard top as the attachment nuts at the door pillars are not installed.
A badly adjusted softtop can also damage this receptacles. After replacing the softtop canvas and proper adjusting the top, I now drive already 12 years without any further damage to the receptacles.
I never tried the hard top, but will watch this receptacles if I ever do.
Thanks for this warning.
Rgds. Günther
I am also thinking about removing the stainless tips from my 71 hardtop in order to make it look 68 style.
This should be easy and I even believe that it is not visible on the hardtopfiberglass . If you need to repaint, you definitely can rework any scratches left over from the tips.
When I bought my 68, both top receptacles on the fwd windshield posts were ripped apart as well. My 68 appears never to have driven with a hard top as the attachment nuts at the door pillars are not installed.
A badly adjusted softtop can also damage this receptacles. After replacing the softtop canvas and proper adjusting the top, I now drive already 12 years without any further damage to the receptacles.
I never tried the hard top, but will watch this receptacles if I ever do.
Thanks for this warning.
Rgds. Günther
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Shop around.
Yes. Purchase any 69-75 AIM and take a look at how the tips were installed.
There is no difference in the corners of the tops regardless of model year. The visible difference is a pair of stainless steel trim pieces.
There are slight differences in hardtop hardware for the 68s, none of which would be a deal breaker unless judging becomes involved. If you purchase a top, you want the chrome trim to be present and in good conditions. The trim is hard to find and apt to be very expensive if you have to replace any of it. The most critical piece, the front, is almost impossible to find.
...If I get a later model hardtop with the chrome tips, do the tips come off easy...
...do the unprotected corners of a later hardtop look different under the chrome tips than a true 68?...
There are slight differences in hardtop hardware for the 68s, none of which would be a deal breaker unless judging becomes involved. If you purchase a top, you want the chrome trim to be present and in good conditions. The trim is hard to find and apt to be very expensive if you have to replace any of it. The most critical piece, the front, is almost impossible to find.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jun 16, 2012 at 10:25 AM.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 193
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I have a 68 top that I got when I purchased my 72 and they put the stainless steel tips on but painted them black. I am considering changing the top to the latter style with the extra center hold down but the top may be worth more to somebody that has a 68 it has the early version latches, original weather strip and black vinyl.
Last edited by 69FASTFUN; Jun 16, 2012 at 09:20 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
I don't have my original 68 hardtop. It along with my 69 3X2 Coupe were stolen out of a Public Storage unit. Pretty sure it was the manager of the Public Storage lot. Anyhow, I haven't laid eyes on the hardtop since 1986. Anyhow, I definitely remember had the stainless steel tips. It was a mid May 1968 car. If you store the hard top sitting up on the tips behind the rear window, you need the stainless steel cone like looking things to keep from damaging the fiberglass.
I think my tank sticker shows the hardtop on the build sheet. Maybe my memory is playing tricks. The build sheet is in a zip lock bag taped with duct tape to the top of the gas tank....so I won't be looking at it for a while.
I think my tank sticker shows the hardtop on the build sheet. Maybe my memory is playing tricks. The build sheet is in a zip lock bag taped with duct tape to the top of the gas tank....so I won't be looking at it for a while.
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,330
Likes: 359
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
My experience is you can pick up a decent hardtop for 500 or so. The glass is dated if that is a concern. Paint to match your car and consider the cost of that as well. I can tell you the weatherstrip is a biggy. The kits are not cheap so try to find one that does not need this. Also, the only stainless trim part that I know of that is repro'd is the front header. If the other parts are missing you may have a hard time finding replacements.
So, find one that has decent weatherstrip and all the trim in place! Also, I have my original HT on my 68. Personally I love the look!!!!
So, find one that has decent weatherstrip and all the trim in place! Also, I have my original HT on my 68. Personally I love the look!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
I have a 68 top that I got when I purchased my 72 and they put the stainless steel tips on but painted them black. I am considering changing the top to the latter style with the extra center hold down but the top may be worth more to somebody that has a 68 it has the early version latches, original weather strip and black vinyl.
I would swap right now, but this will cost us a fortune due overseas shipping.
But I can offer the center latch that is riveted to my top and that I don't need for my 68.
Rgds. Günther
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 180
Likes: 11
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
I have a 68 top that I got when I purchased my 72 and they put the stainless steel tips on but painted them black. I am considering changing the top to the latter style with the extra center hold down but the top may be worth more to somebody that has a 68 it has the early version latches, original weather strip and black vinyl.
PM: rickmendoza@comcast.net
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 180
Likes: 11
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
vettebuyer,
Would you consider selling yours with a local pick up? and where are you?
PM: rickmendoza@comcast.net
Would you consider selling yours with a local pick up? and where are you?
PM: rickmendoza@comcast.net
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Would you consider selling yours with a local pick up?
PM: rickmendoza@comcast.net
PM: rickmendoza@comcast.net
vettebuyer,
Would you consider selling yours with a local pick up? and where are you?
PM: rickmendoza@comcast.net
Would you consider selling yours with a local pick up? and where are you?
PM: rickmendoza@comcast.net
Rick: if you are looking for a top, post a Want To Buy in the Parts For Sale forum.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Read my post at the beginning of this threat along time ago. The hard top on my 68 simply did not fit, even though it came from the factory.
...................
I've ordered from Pilkington new windows for my 68. They own the Libby Owens Ford copyright. The original hardtop chipped the window edges. The chipping occurred because of the hardtop bouncing against the windows....The screw head that held in the weather stripping banged up against the glass. The glass windows cost close to $700. A local corvette restoration shop wants $400 to replace the windows. So for my original 68 Corvette that had a factory installed hard top, I'm looking at about $1100 damage to replace the hardtop damage. Don't have to worry about my hard top...long story..it was stolen,. My current soft top was installed by Al Knoch.
Last comment.. a Convertible looks really great with the hardtop installed. On a smooth road, it really reduces road noise. However, on a bumpy road, my 68 would produce a lot of loud bumpy noise. The later years C3 Convertibles were a little bit better than 68's
...................
I've ordered from Pilkington new windows for my 68. They own the Libby Owens Ford copyright. The original hardtop chipped the window edges. The chipping occurred because of the hardtop bouncing against the windows....The screw head that held in the weather stripping banged up against the glass. The glass windows cost close to $700. A local corvette restoration shop wants $400 to replace the windows. So for my original 68 Corvette that had a factory installed hard top, I'm looking at about $1100 damage to replace the hardtop damage. Don't have to worry about my hard top...long story..it was stolen,. My current soft top was installed by Al Knoch.
Last comment.. a Convertible looks really great with the hardtop installed. On a smooth road, it really reduces road noise. However, on a bumpy road, my 68 would produce a lot of loud bumpy noise. The later years C3 Convertibles were a little bit better than 68's
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,986
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
vettebuyer,
Would you consider selling yours with a local pick up? and where are you?
PM: rickmendoza@comcast.net
Would you consider selling yours with a local pick up? and where are you?
PM: rickmendoza@comcast.net
I could have sold mine several times now, but it's original to the car with all the correct markings, so I decided not to separate it.
I haven't had it on the car since it was delivered in 2007, and the next time its moved will likely be when I sell the car.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Old thread but thought it would be a decent place to ask. Would anyone be interested in a hardtop made from carbon fiber? Would be strong and light weight. Taking it off and on should be fairly easy with one person.