Removable hard top question......
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 294
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From: Nanty Glo PA
Removable hard top question......
Looking for a less pain in the **** way to latch the removable hard top down at the rear. Is it possible to use the rear bow pins from a soft top in place of the bolts/studs of a hard top. Sure seems like it would be easier to latch it down. Anyone try it? My hands are getting to buggered up to be reaching in blind with small nuts/washers...... TIA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
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From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
My thought was, except I haven't put the hardtop on in a very long time, to weld a couple of big outer diameter flat washers to wing nuts. I have no idea what the factory used for the rear hold down fasteners. My top has long 3/8 USS studs.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 294
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From: Nanty Glo PA
Yeah the rear fasteners are just studs for the hardtop. The bow pins for the soft top are 3/8" studs on one side and the pin on the other. Figured I could just grab a set of bow pins and screw them into the corners on the hardtop and it should just plug right on like the soft top. Was hoping somebody already had this idea and had done it.... Oh well, maybe it'll be a worthwhile experiment.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I use the pins all the time. I kind of have to since I have a 68 and the rear receiver brackets make it difficult to use the bolt down method.
You have to be very carefull when you place the hardtop on the deck lip to line up the pins. They will scratch faster than a cat with a bad attitude. I used to roll up towels or cover the deck with a thick moving blanket doubled up to make sure the pins didnt get through the material to the paint. Then when it was lined up I would pull the blanket one side at a time and drop it into the receiver but not latch it until both sides where lined up.
Make sure to use the side bolts to keep it from rattling. It may not pull down as tight in the rear as the bolts but it will work fine.
You have to be very carefull when you place the hardtop on the deck lip to line up the pins. They will scratch faster than a cat with a bad attitude. I used to roll up towels or cover the deck with a thick moving blanket doubled up to make sure the pins didnt get through the material to the paint. Then when it was lined up I would pull the blanket one side at a time and drop it into the receiver but not latch it until both sides where lined up.
Make sure to use the side bolts to keep it from rattling. It may not pull down as tight in the rear as the bolts but it will work fine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,326
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From: Marietta GA
Detail A, page 129 Paragon Corvette Reproductions
My 73 as well as other years (68-75) have right and left chrome brackets (covered by a rubber boot) that attach to the rear deck. I am guessing that your hard top does not have the brackets. The hard top for my car was purchased after the car left St. Louis. I know this, because there are bolts that go through special receiver mounts to secure the brackets/top, and my car did not have them. Ernie at Willcox was kind enough to locate a set of the brackets for me, as none of the vendors stock them. I will attach two illustrations from the Paragon Catalog. The AIM also shows them.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
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From: SW Florida.
my hard top-dunno what year-craigslist has the pins in it. drop right in and latch well. hang your hardtop from the ceiling in the garage with a hoist or boat trailer winch. or put your cherry picker to use as a top installation-holding tool...
