Storing the hard top??
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 95
Likes: 20
From: New Hope, PA
Storing the hard top??
How do you guys (and gals) store the removable hardtop on a convertible C3? Is it possible to just put it in a shelf if you have one big enough? (I do in my garage.) Otherwise, what, one of these:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 492
How do you guys (and gals) store the removable hardtop on a convertible C3? Is it possible to just put it in a shelf if you have one big enough? (I do in my garage.) Otherwise, what, one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L0CYM8C
The better alternative is to make a cart out of wood and carpet and install casters so you can move it easily, or just buy one on amazon, or similar- example below:
You'd probably be about $50 in materials (in addition to your time) to build one, but it ain't rocket science. It's a simple design, really, and if you any spent time in wood shop in high school, all the easier. A bit more difficult than making that breadboard like we all had to do in class, but not much.
...Or just spend the $150-$200 bucks and get one already made for you.
Last edited by Corvette-ZL1; Oct 5, 2022 at 04:27 PM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 95
Likes: 20
From: New Hope, PA
Thanks, $150 to $200 it is!
I used to lay cardboard and a towel down on the garage floor to protect the chrome tips and just lean it against a wall. Not the most ideal method. Do not put it on a shelf - for one, it would have to be one deep shelf and mounted to the wall somewhere so it can't tip over and damage a $2k top.
The better alternative is to make a cart out of wood and carpet and install casters so you can move it easily, or just buy one on amazon, or similar- example below:
https://www.amazon.com/Corvette-Hard.../dp/B000BHF7BO
You'd probably be about $50 in materials (in addition to your time) to build one, but it ain't rocket science. It's a simple design, really, and if you any spent time in wood shop in high school, all the easier. A bit more difficult than making that breadboard like we all had to do in class, but not much.
...Or just spend the $150-$200 bucks and get one already made for you.
The better alternative is to make a cart out of wood and carpet and install casters so you can move it easily, or just buy one on amazon, or similar- example below:
https://www.amazon.com/Corvette-Hard.../dp/B000BHF7BO
You'd probably be about $50 in materials (in addition to your time) to build one, but it ain't rocket science. It's a simple design, really, and if you any spent time in wood shop in high school, all the easier. A bit more difficult than making that breadboard like we all had to do in class, but not much.
...Or just spend the $150-$200 bucks and get one already made for you.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 261
From: Blue Bell PA
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
I have the metal one like you found on Amazon. It works fine. But before I had one I made
from 2x4 And carpet and it worked better I thought I remaid it when I was redoing my 69
top so I could work on it and then just bought the metal cradle. Probably a waste,just being lazy.
from 2x4 And carpet and it worked better I thought I remaid it when I was redoing my 69
top so I could work on it and then just bought the metal cradle. Probably a waste,just being lazy.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 95
Likes: 20
From: New Hope, PA
Thanks! It's getting to be Fall here in PA, so I'll probably just leave the top on until Spring .. can punt the purchase decision to then.
I have the metal one like you found on Amazon. It works fine. But before I had one I made
from 2x4 And carpet and it worked better I thought I remaid it when I was redoing my 69
top so I could work on it and then just bought the metal cradle. Probably a waste,just being lazy.
from 2x4 And carpet and it worked better I thought I remaid it when I was redoing my 69
top so I could work on it and then just bought the metal cradle. Probably a waste,just being lazy.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 219
Likes: 240
From: Toledo, Ohio
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
My thought on this is that it may be better for the convertible top to be up and latched (e.g, stretched) over the winter rather than stowed under the hardtop for those five months or so. Just my two cents…
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,150
Likes: 937
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Find a safe place in the garage and prop it up against the wall. Protect the rear corners and secure it so it won't move,done. I'd have no problem storing my top like this.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 579
From: Pittsburgh PA
I would second not leaving the top folded for extended periods. im sure there are guys that do it, but I can say from my experience- i have 2 convertibles that were stored for years- probably 30 each. one with the top one, one with the top folded. the "top up" storage car is still sporting its original top. the folded one had to be replaced.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 95
Likes: 20
From: New Hope, PA
Thanks, will do!
I would second not leaving the top folded for extended periods. im sure there are guys that do it, but I can say from my experience- i have 2 convertibles that were stored for years- probably 30 each. one with the top one, one with the top folded. the "top up" storage car is still sporting its original top. the folded one had to be replaced.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 95
Likes: 20
From: New Hope, PA
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 95
Likes: 20
From: New Hope, PA
Sounds like others agree, that's what I'll do. Appreciate your taking the time to reply!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,347
Likes: 1,178
From: CLEVELAND STUCK IN OHIO
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
So many different thoughts on the tops. None really wrong. My hardtop sits on a thick carpet in the loft of the barn. Then covered up. My convertible top stays folded down from April through October, ( unless we get caught in the rain ) . The original top looks great for being folded down most of its life. The hard top hasn't been on the car in years..
We enjoy the top down even in the 40° weather.
.
We enjoy the top down even in the 40° weather.
.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 95
Likes: 20
From: New Hope, PA
that sounds like the ideal plan!!
So many different thoughts on the tops. None really wrong. My hardtop sits on a thick carpet in the loft of the barn. Then covered up. My convertible top stays folded down from April through October, ( unless we get caught in the rain ) . The original top looks great for being folded down most of its life. The hard top hasn't been on the car in years..
We enjoy the top down even in the 40° weather.
.
We enjoy the top down even in the 40° weather.
.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,990
From: Connecticut, USA
I did the same thing for 40 years. I think I used the top 2 Winters 40 years ago. It's been standing on end in my shop every since. I will probably never use it again.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 412
From: Washington State
I have a PTM hardtop and a black vinyl hardtop.
I purchased a small electric winch from harbor freight. Installed in the rafters in my garage. I use it to lift th top off my car and up to the garage roof. Small two car garage. One roof over left side and one over right side. I use ratcheting straps to secure each roof in the garage. Works great!
Scott
I purchased a small electric winch from harbor freight. Installed in the rafters in my garage. I use it to lift th top off my car and up to the garage roof. Small two car garage. One roof over left side and one over right side. I use ratcheting straps to secure each roof in the garage. Works great!
Scott
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 724
From: Marietta GA
I purchased a metal carrier for my hard top that has wheels. Unfortunately the metal points on the rear part of the top hit the ground, when sitting on the stand. I took some 2X2 metal bars and used them to raise the top farther off the ground.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 95
Likes: 20
From: New Hope, PA
Thanks everyone! I just received the stand .. need to get it off the basement carpet before something happens to it. Will try to and find a more clever solution later (love some of what folks have suggested here).