Help replacing Mirror T Tops on my 1980
07-09-2015, 09:58 AM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Help replacing Mirror T Tops on my 1980
So my right side mirrored t top was damaged upon transport to my house . I have an insurance check coming to me and need to know where the recommended places are to buy a replacement .
I was considering getting the smoke gray Astro Tops but have not heard good things about the company .
I can get replacement mirrored tops for around $1125 from a place called Derby City corvette .
I need to make a move soon , so recommendations will help me greatly .
Thanks ...
I was considering getting the smoke gray Astro Tops but have not heard good things about the company .
I can get replacement mirrored tops for around $1125 from a place called Derby City corvette .
I need to make a move soon , so recommendations will help me greatly .
Thanks ...
07-09-2015, 10:32 AM
#2
Drifting
07-09-2015, 10:59 AM
#3
Le Mans Master
I searched around prior to purchasing the smoke tops. Almost everyone has the same prices within a few dollars. I purchased mine at Corvette Mods a forum vendor. It looks like they have a sale going on too.
http://www.corvettemods.com/
http://www.corvettemods.com/68-82-C3...ps_p_6637.html
http://www.corvettemods.com/
http://www.corvettemods.com/68-82-C3...ps_p_6637.html
07-09-2015, 11:21 AM
#4
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Their price is good also . You can get a set for around $900 delivered .
I am a little torn between the smoke and mirrored look (no pun intended )
07-09-2015, 11:25 AM
#5
Le Mans Master
how much did insurance give you to replace them?
i would find a nice used set.
i would find a nice used set.
07-09-2015, 11:51 AM
#7
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
07-10-2015, 08:36 AM
#9
Le Mans Master
07-10-2015, 08:42 AM
#10
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
07-10-2015, 09:22 AM
#11
Race Director
There are really only two sources for new transparent t-tops, Thompson Astro Tops, and Melrose Corvette. These are the only companies actually doing new tops.
The main difference between their tops, is that Thompson uses colored acrylic for his tops, and Melrose uses glass, like GM did.
The Thompson tops are cheaper, weigh a little less than the glass ones, and are available in an assortment of colors, but they are more easily scratched. They don't look the same as stock glass ones, and I don't think they look as nice, but that's a personal preference thing.
The Melrose tops use the same LOF brand glass that GM did, in the stronger tempered glass used in 81-82 tops, not the laminated glass used in 78-80. Melrose tops only come in two colors, the stock OEM mirrored gray glass, and black glass. The glass tops are no more likely to scratch, than any other glass, but are easily cracked if dropped or bumped. The glass tops are also more expensive, and each top weighs about 5 pounds more than an acrylic one. The mirrored glass Melrose tops, look identical to factory glass tops.
Thompson doesn't offer much in the way of a dealer wholesale program, so you can usually buy them direct for the same or less, than from a Corvette vendor. Melrose on the other hand, has a generous dealer program, and their dealer's often sell their tops, for less than you can buy them direct.
Your old, cracked glass tops can be turned in as cores, against either type of top. I think they give about $125 each for the old tops, as cores.
The main difference between their tops, is that Thompson uses colored acrylic for his tops, and Melrose uses glass, like GM did.
The Thompson tops are cheaper, weigh a little less than the glass ones, and are available in an assortment of colors, but they are more easily scratched. They don't look the same as stock glass ones, and I don't think they look as nice, but that's a personal preference thing.
The Melrose tops use the same LOF brand glass that GM did, in the stronger tempered glass used in 81-82 tops, not the laminated glass used in 78-80. Melrose tops only come in two colors, the stock OEM mirrored gray glass, and black glass. The glass tops are no more likely to scratch, than any other glass, but are easily cracked if dropped or bumped. The glass tops are also more expensive, and each top weighs about 5 pounds more than an acrylic one. The mirrored glass Melrose tops, look identical to factory glass tops.
Thompson doesn't offer much in the way of a dealer wholesale program, so you can usually buy them direct for the same or less, than from a Corvette vendor. Melrose on the other hand, has a generous dealer program, and their dealer's often sell their tops, for less than you can buy them direct.
Your old, cracked glass tops can be turned in as cores, against either type of top. I think they give about $125 each for the old tops, as cores.
07-10-2015, 10:15 AM
#12
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
There are really only two sources for new transparent t-tops, Thompson Astro Tops, and Melrose Corvette. These are the only companies actually doing new tops.
The main difference between their tops, is that Thompson uses colored acrylic for his tops, and Melrose uses glass, like GM did.
The Thompson tops are cheaper, weigh a little less than the glass ones, and are available in an assortment of colors, but they are more easily scratched. They don't look the same as stock glass ones, and I don't think they look as nice, but that's a personal preference thing.
The Melrose tops use the same LOF brand glass that GM did, in the stronger tempered glass used in 81-82 tops, not the laminated glass used in 78-80. Melrose tops only come in two colors, the stock OEM mirrored gray glass, and black glass. The glass tops are no more likely to scratch, than any other glass, but are easily cracked if dropped or bumped. The glass tops are also more expensive, and each top weighs about 5 pounds more than an acrylic one. The mirrored glass Melrose tops, look identical to factory glass tops.
Thompson doesn't offer much in the way of a dealer wholesale program, so you can usually buy them direct for the same or less, than from a Corvette vendor. Melrose on the other hand, has a generous dealer program, and their dealer's often sell their tops, for less than you can buy them direct.
Your old, cracked glass tops can be turned in as cores, against either type of top. I think they give about $125 each for the old tops, as cores.
The main difference between their tops, is that Thompson uses colored acrylic for his tops, and Melrose uses glass, like GM did.
The Thompson tops are cheaper, weigh a little less than the glass ones, and are available in an assortment of colors, but they are more easily scratched. They don't look the same as stock glass ones, and I don't think they look as nice, but that's a personal preference thing.
The Melrose tops use the same LOF brand glass that GM did, in the stronger tempered glass used in 81-82 tops, not the laminated glass used in 78-80. Melrose tops only come in two colors, the stock OEM mirrored gray glass, and black glass. The glass tops are no more likely to scratch, than any other glass, but are easily cracked if dropped or bumped. The glass tops are also more expensive, and each top weighs about 5 pounds more than an acrylic one. The mirrored glass Melrose tops, look identical to factory glass tops.
Thompson doesn't offer much in the way of a dealer wholesale program, so you can usually buy them direct for the same or less, than from a Corvette vendor. Melrose on the other hand, has a generous dealer program, and their dealer's often sell their tops, for less than you can buy them direct.
Your old, cracked glass tops can be turned in as cores, against either type of top. I think they give about $125 each for the old tops, as cores.
Thanks for the good info .
07-10-2015, 12:35 PM
#13
Le Mans Master
07-11-2015, 08:15 PM
#14
Some people don't like the one piece Astro Top... but I like mine... 1/2 the weight, it doesn't have a center seam to leak...