Convertible top installation

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 1, 2018 | 08:11 AM

broughj

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 43

Likes: 3

From: Indian Head MD

Convertible top installation

I am finally finishing up the restoration of my 68 convertible. Had the top frame refurbished and have it mounted on the car. New roof rail and front bow weatherstrip installed and door glass and top frame aligned so that everything fits like it should. I have new pads, straps, and tension cables but they are not installed. They guy that I was planning to do the top installation wants me to remove the frame. He says that he will install the top on the frame without it being on the car, and then reinstall the frame. This installer has a lot of upholstery/top experience and does very nice work, including interior work for me on another car. I've questioned him some about how he would get the top on the frame properly without it being fitted to the car, but have not really tried to pin him down. Is it reasonable to expect that the top can the top be installed on the frame with the frame off the car and then reinstalled on the car and have everything fit and lineup as it should.

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions,

John Brough

Mar 1, 2018 | 08:23 AM

doorgunner

2026 Loser of the Year

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 36,597

Likes: 7,046

From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna

Hmmmmmmm......I guess anything is possible. Maybe he has a dimensionally correct frame set-up at his shop.

But still......I removed my top from the frame.....cleaned/re-dyed it.......and it still was a pain to re-install it to fit properly.

Mar 1, 2018 | 09:24 AM

The Hot Rod Grille

Racer

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 329

Likes: 55

From: Winfield West Virginia

2015 C3 of Year Finalist

After installing a new top on the frame while it was on the car, I can't imagine the difficulty that would be encountered trying to do it with the frame off the car! Has the installer ever done a "remote" top install before? Not saying it can't be done, but not without a lot of potential for problems.

Jim

Mar 1, 2018 | 09:40 AM

Alan 71

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 31,274

Likes: 4,366

From: Westminster Maryland

Hi John,
I took a look at the photos of customers having new tops installed by Al Knock at Carlisle.

It appears that all the tops are being installed on frames mounted on cars.
I've watched the tops being installed over the years and it seems that
having the windshield header and rear deck to refer to is an important part of the installation.

Even installing the new pads seems to require that the top frame be on the car.

So???
Regards,
Alan

Mar 1, 2018 | 09:43 AM

Hammerhead Fred

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 2,095

Likes: 299

From: Midlothian VA

If you have access to a removable hardtop you should align the windows to the hardtop profile then; remove the hardtop and align the soft top frame to the windows.

I've never heard of anyone recommending removing the Corvette soft top frame to install the new soft top. Unless he has some jig that allows him to properly tension the top I really don't know how he'd be able to duplicate the established installation process.

Mar 1, 2018 | 10:32 AM

20mercury

Safety Car

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 3,753

Likes: 721

From: Lafayette Louisiana

Agree

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammerhead Fred

Agree, and due to slight variations in Corvette to Corvette bodies, I do not see how even a std jig would even help.

I suggest you find another top installer or better yet, do it yourself, here are some links:

http://www.rowleycorvette.com/corvette_repair3.html

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/33283/

Hope this helps.

Mar 1, 2018 | 11:50 AM

Alan 71

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 31,274

Likes: 4,366

From: Westminster Maryland

Hi,
I took a look at the folding top assembly sheets in the AIM and it appears that the top DID come to the production line as an assembly.
This would seem to indicate that there was a 'jig' of some sort that was used to install the vinyl top on the top's frame.
But how??
Regards,
Alan

John Hinkley's St.Louis presentation indicates that the top assembly was installed on the body after it was on the frame and quite close to the car's completion.

Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 1, 2018 at 12:05 PM.

Mar 1, 2018 | 12:16 PM

broughj

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 43

Likes: 3

From: Indian Head MD

Thanks everyone! Your comments have reinforced my own thoughts. I don't have a hardtop or access to one, but I spent a lot of time adjusting the top frame and window alignment to get it in very good shape. Hate to ruin all that work by taking the top frame off. I too looked at the AIM and figured that the top cover was installed on the frame before being assembled to the car. As Alan said, but how? I am certain that my top guy does not have any type of jig. Him being able to do it without being mounted to the car does not seem feasible to me. So, if I cannot convince him to do it on the car, I'll try to find someone else or make it another DIY project.

I want to ask a second related question. My top installer is recommending that I buy the top from ARO2000, a gentleman named Putt Georgi. His website is http://www.aro2000.com/ He claims to have used many of their tops over the years and they all fit well and were well made. Anyone know anything about this company?

Thanks again,

John