Bought my 1971 C3 convertible in 2009 - completed frame off restoration in 2011 but never installed the convertible top. (pictures attached) I have gathered up all the parts over the years and now ready to install the top for my winter project this year.

I normally shoot a lot of pictures when I disassemble a car. When I purchased this one all the fabric and trim had been pulled off the frame and stuffed in a box so I don't have any record of how everything went together. I have the factory assembly manual which gives quite a bit of info on the trim and weather stripping details but not enough info on the rest of it. A new top came with the car - still in the box. I opened it today and all looks in good condition. Saw something on the internet about the plastic windows having spots or other defects if stored a long time but this one looks in great condition. I am not sure who it was purchased from - is in a generic box that might not be original and has no company name.

I have found a few links that have some tips on installing the tops and a few pictures. Best write-up I found was posted by Willcox Corvette but I was hoping to find a video that went into more detail and would be easier to understand than reading a description of the steps.

Appreciate if anyone has a video file or link to one on the net that you can share with me.

 

I believe Al Knoch Interiors in Texas sells a DVD on how to install a convertible top, as do other aftermarket vendors.

 

Thanks, I saw that but I live in Canada and shipping from the US can take a long time sometimes - I was hoping to find somewhere I could download a digital version from a website or have a digital file emailed to me so I could get it quicker - not working next week and wanted to start work on the top.

 

Check page #1 of my build thread It has a Table of Contents. I took pics wnen I diassembled/cleaned/reassembled my used top.

click on the link below.....RATS! I just looked at the thread. The old Version of Photobucket deleted 50% of the pics about spacing the bow supports at he correct distances from eac other before placing the cleaned top over them

 

Thanks for the reply - I checked the link in your answer - I see the soft top rebuild in the index page 53 - 57 but couldn't seem to find a link to that section or any photos of the soft top work ??
Do you still have all the pics and could send them to me directly by email ?
I got the dimensions between the bows in a write-up I found from a guy at Willcox Corvettes but it doesn't have many pictures and I am having trouble figuring out what is meant in a lot of descriptions.
I got the convertible frame bolted on the car this morning with a friends help - definitely not a one person job to get it in place without damaging paint. Seems to fit pretty good but will need a few adjustments on the 4 alignment pins on the rear deck and windshield header. Once I get the frame aligned close to final I plan to install all the weather stripping around the window openings and then finalize the frame alignment as well as any window alignment required to get a good seal between the roof and the window. Hope to get that done this weekend as well as a final coat of paint on the frame ready to start on the top install next week.

 

https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/1968...-171659-1.html
I believe at Eckler’s site or Al Knoch’s site this DVD is available for sale as a download. It was hard to navigate to find it. I opted to buy from Eckler. Just because I’m highly stressed with down loads (read that computer challenged).

Steve O.

 

Photobucket deleted half of the pictures several years ago when they changed their platform

The black fabric-type duct tape is covering all areas of the padding that showned signs of wear and chafing.

The blue masking tape holds a piece of plastic leaf bag over the rear window to prevent glue and scratches from damaging it during installation.




























































I APPLIED BLACK SILICONE SEALER OVER ALL STAPLES TO PREVENT THEM FROM RUSTING.THE SEALER IS FOR EXTERIOR USE AND DOES NOT REMAIN TACKY/STICKY

 

I might be able to help... I sent you a private message.

 

Al kotch has the correct dvd. It’s not to hard just watch and rewatch the video.
do or redo each step until you are satisfied. Your top will be perfect.

 

I am in the same position. I bought my 71 convertible with a nicely restored soft top frame, but nothing else. I do have a new top in the box and I am in the process of acquiring all the weatherstripping and small parts. I am going to purchase the Al Knoch video to review. I replaced the top on my 69 Mustang convertible with excellent results, so feel comfortable attempting this one.

 

Thanks to Dogrunner, Motorvation, MY1970conv, Jbrook825 and Txfatboy1 for the pictures, feedback, suggestions, and information - will certainly help with my project

I opened the soft top and weather stripping packages to make sure I have everything I need - looks like everything - The top material is marked "C3 68 & Up" so the kit seems to be the correct one but I am confused by the convertible top pads - they are quite a different from the original ones that were with the car and what I see on line - see attached pictures - the original look kind of like an eyebrow - curved to a point on one end and a square cut on the other end. The new ones are 2 pieces - longer with a diagonal cut on one and and square on the other. The black vinyl piece has black cloth sewn on both sides on the back - looks like the white foam would lay inside and fold the 2 pieces of black cloth over the top.
Will these different style pads work on a 1971 ? If they do I assume the diagonal cut end would go to the front and staple to the small tack strips at the front corner but what about the back end being longer - do they go the next bow at the top of the window ?

I started to install the window weather stripping on the frame - there are 2 small pieces that go on the bottom of the frame at the rear of the door - they screw to the underside of the frame and the bottom screw of the rear vertical weather strip screws into the small block. I am not sure which piece is left and which is right - there is a recess in the block on one side of the groove there is a taller narrow strip of rubber and the other side is a wider rounded strip - I t looks like the shorter rounded side would go to the outside of the car but want to check for sure. See picture

 

My pic shows the angled cut goes forward.
You can see in the pic that the "pointed" part of the anlge fits outboard.
Im guessing the long pad attaches to all thr frame bows.
When I get time I will take the assembled top out of storage to see if I installed the short rubber piece...will take a pic if I installed it.


I used several tie-down straps to keep the frame bows tight and the correct distance apart while I was stapling the pads in place.

 

I only have a couple of pictures of the pads from my 1970... the first picture is the original on the car, and the 2nd picture is the new one installed... but the ones you have don't seem to be the same size... not sure if maybe they are for a C2... the area where it is cut diagonally seems to be wider on the ones you have.