CL T Top Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 193
Likes: 2
From: Illinois
CL T Top Question
Just bought a set of glass smoked T-Tops for my red 76. Ad said for any 68-82 corvette. Will arrive tomorrow.
Here's my question, In the photo of the tops it looks like there is only one toggle clamp located underside front on each top. As you know the original tops have two clamps. Will i have to purchase some kind of retrofit kit? Do the glass tops work with a single clamp and some kind of linkage to the rear ? Am I screwed to use these on my 76?
Appreciate any help.
Here's my question, In the photo of the tops it looks like there is only one toggle clamp located underside front on each top. As you know the original tops have two clamps. Will i have to purchase some kind of retrofit kit? Do the glass tops work with a single clamp and some kind of linkage to the rear ? Am I screwed to use these on my 76?
Appreciate any help.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 292
Likes: 58
From: Freeport, Illinois
Did you buy from a private party or a retailer? If a retailer, did they ask what specific year you had? They might have both versions, but pictured only one.
I'm not sure when the changeover was, but later tops do attach with one lever at the front corner. It clamps the front and sends a pin out the back to engage a hole in the body. My '79 is this way.
I'm not sure when the changeover was, but later tops do attach with one lever at the front corner. It clamps the front and sends a pin out the back to engage a hole in the body. My '79 is this way.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Depends. If you ordered 78-82 factory glass tops, you will have to use the 78-82 halo panel hardware. Any 78-82 AIM shows how to install the receivers.
If you make this change, you will not be able to use your original painted tops. Best of both worlds might be to look for a pair of fiberglass 78-82 tops.
If you make this change, you will not be able to use your original painted tops. Best of both worlds might be to look for a pair of fiberglass 78-82 tops.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 193
Likes: 2
From: Illinois
Did you buy from a private party or a retailer? If a retailer, did they ask what specific year you had? They might have both versions, but pictured only one.
I'm not sure when the changeover was, but later tops do attach with one lever at the front corner. It clamps the front and sends a pin out the back to engage a hole in the body. My '79 is this way.
I'm not sure when the changeover was, but later tops do attach with one lever at the front corner. It clamps the front and sends a pin out the back to engage a hole in the body. My '79 is this way.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 193
Likes: 2
From: Illinois
Depends. If you ordered 78-82 factory glass tops, you will have to use the 78-82 halo panel hardware. Any 78-82 AIM shows how to install the receivers.
If you make this change, you will not be able to use your original painted tops. Best of both worlds might be to look for a pair of fiberglass 78-82 tops.
If you make this change, you will not be able to use your original painted tops. Best of both worlds might be to look for a pair of fiberglass 78-82 tops.
Thanks again.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
You can get the receivers from the aftermarket providers. The provision on the backs of these is for the top connection for the 78-82 factory theft alarm system. You will not need any of that on your 76.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Oct 16, 2013 at 08:32 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 193
Likes: 2
From: Illinois
Thanks again for the help.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,453
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From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
You're going to gain a few inches of head room with the glass tops, and if you don't like them and they are the M1131 tops, you won't have any trouble off loading them around here.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 193
Likes: 2
From: Illinois
