convertible hardtop attachment
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Broussard Louisiana
convertible hardtop attachment
cannot figure how to attach the hardtop to my 68 vert..not sure how the rear attaches threw the deck lid....bought some threaded studs and retainers but cannot use because the soft top is in the way....should the rear bolts on the hard top look like the soft top rear pins??????
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Which bolts?
Mine has two pins just like the soft top at the rear, and then it's supposed to have some sort of bolt arrangement at the corners right at the front near the doors (not the latch at the windshield). Mine didn't come with a hardtop, and the one I got was real rough, but thats how it mounts. I'm only using the rear pins and windshield latches, as I don't want to drill any holes 'till I see one that's already setup for a hardtop. I guess some of the early ones also have a locating pin in the center of the deck lid between the two rear latches, but I've never seen one.
Hans
Hans
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
OK, my '72 was an original factory hard top install, the original poster there sounds as if he thinks its s upposed to go over the soft top...RONG...fold the rag top down inside the hatch, then put on the hard top....their was some variation among years wether the HT had a center bolt...mind DID, not that I ever used it...I just set it up for both using the latches....
I think I used that HT maybe 4x if that up north and not ONCE down here in Florida....so I sold it off....
GENE
I think I used that HT maybe 4x if that up north and not ONCE down here in Florida....so I sold it off....
GENE
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,404
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From: Redondo Beach, California
It's been a long time since I've mounted a hard top on a vert. However, I am very sure you can mount the hard top with the soft top in it's folded down position.
The back of the soft top has those left and right chrome plated prongs that slide down and lock through the holes in the chrome bezels on the deck lid. The hard top, instead, inserts a long bolt into the same holes. The bolt is threaded at the end and when fully inserted, you attach a flange and nut from the underside of the decklid and secure the end of the bolt up against the mechanism that otherwise grasps the prongs from the soft top. The hard top also has flanges that bolt up against the door opening- these flanges are above the door striker bolt.
The hard top on my 68 never fit very well. Road shocks caused it to bounce around and damage the body, so I had to remove it. Pity. The hard top really makes the car look better.
The back of the soft top has those left and right chrome plated prongs that slide down and lock through the holes in the chrome bezels on the deck lid. The hard top, instead, inserts a long bolt into the same holes. The bolt is threaded at the end and when fully inserted, you attach a flange and nut from the underside of the decklid and secure the end of the bolt up against the mechanism that otherwise grasps the prongs from the soft top. The hard top also has flanges that bolt up against the door opening- these flanges are above the door striker bolt.
The hard top on my 68 never fit very well. Road shocks caused it to bounce around and damage the body, so I had to remove it. Pity. The hard top really makes the car look better.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
I use the studs on the rear. No trouble reaching in to put wing nuts on the studs with the soft top folded. I have heard from NCRS types on the forum, that early ones came with rear pins like the soft top, instead of the studs. All factory setup hardtop cars should have the bolts at the corners of the decklid. There is an extension bracket riveted to the top at this point for bolting it down. Center bolt in the rear was factory also, but I am not sure if it was used on all years, or only where the rear pins are used. At least one forum member I recall having a 71 or 72 with the hardtop listed on his build sheet with only pins at the rear. You need an NCRS guide for your year car to be absolutely correct. I know of tops having been blown off of cars when attached with front latches and pins only.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 124
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From: Broussard Louisiana
thanks for the reply....apparently my car is not factory setup, I have no holes in the decklid for the side bolts for the hardtop. I do like the hardtop tho and I believe I will struggle to get it right. I'm wonderin if the side bolts with the rear "pins" will hold it down. Maybe I can remove my pins on the soft top and use them on the hardtop....don't know, brand new to vettes. Been a mustang guy all my life....
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 275
Likes: 6
From: NY
My '71 is wearing her winter hat. The bolt holes are above and to the rear of the doors in the back deck. If you have chromed holes on your drop deck, you only need the bolts [1/2" chromed head] that thread into the chromed holes. If not, you need the chrome piece and threaded backing that holds the chrome piece in the hole in the deck and the chromed bolt. The center hole was put there by the factory for the hardtop. That has an all thread. The other 2 attach points are bayonet types that release with the soft top handle.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 929
Likes: 5
From: Marietta GA
I have '68 like you do. From the factory the metal pins that thread into the soft top and latch into the top of the decklid have a larger diameter thread than the same pins in the hardtop (or is it vice versa). Either way, the smaller threads are no longer available and when I needed them, I drilled and re-tapped the smaller holes to accommodate the larger threads. The heads of the pins are identical.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 4
From: Gig Harbor Wa
A lot of people use the pins just like the soft-top ones in the rear. I know factory correct for 70 is threaded studs on the hardtop. I think it may be different for different years. Doesn't really matter unless you are getting judged on originality. I personally use 3/8" bolts from the inside. Seems easier than studs and more secure than the pins.
There should be three latches across the front and the two side bolts. You can buy a kit for the side bolts and all their pieces from any of the major corvette suppliers. Mine did not come with the side bolts and I added them. Pretty easy to do.
Corvetteforum store hardtop parts.
Click on the link above. The top two are the side bolts and the anchors. The anchors are attached to the side of the decklid. Further down are the studs. Like I said above, the bolts are a lot easier for me.
There should be three latches across the front and the two side bolts. You can buy a kit for the side bolts and all their pieces from any of the major corvette suppliers. Mine did not come with the side bolts and I added them. Pretty easy to do.
Corvetteforum store hardtop parts.
Click on the link above. The top two are the side bolts and the anchors. The anchors are attached to the side of the decklid. Further down are the studs. Like I said above, the bolts are a lot easier for me.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
If you don't have the holes for the side bolts (I think you said you don't have them because your car is not a factory hardtop car) then I would definitely use something more than pins to hold the top down. Studs with a nut screwed on from underneath would hold the top down. Those side bolts really hold the top down tightly. Also, put something, plastic or towel strips between your hardtop and the deck. Even if the hardtop weatherstrip is in good shape it will still mark your paint!!!
see that place for the side bolt that holds the top down?
on the next pic you can see the attaching point for the side bolt on the left, and on the right you can see the pin. (Yes, my top is white)
see that place for the side bolt that holds the top down?
on the next pic you can see the attaching point for the side bolt on the left, and on the right you can see the pin. (Yes, my top is white)
Last edited by PRNDL; Jan 21, 2006 at 12:25 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Broussard Louisiana
Originally Posted by PRNDL
If you don't have the holes for the side bolts (I think you said you don't have them because your car is not a factory hardtop car) then I would definitely use something more than pins to hold the top down. Studs with a nut screwed on from underneath would hold the top down. Those side bolts really hold the top down tightly. Also, put something, plastic or towel strips between your hardtop and the deck. Even if the hardtop weatherstrip is in good shape it will still mark your paint!!!
see that place for the side bolt that holds the top down?
on the next pic you can see the attaching point for the side bolt on the left, and on the right you can see the pin. (Yes, my top is white)
see that place for the side bolt that holds the top down?
on the next pic you can see the attaching point for the side bolt on the left, and on the right you can see the pin. (Yes, my top is white)
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Personally, I perfer the threaded studs and the small brakets that hold the back of the top to the deck lid. It just seems more secure to me. I put my hardtop on every winter and don't take it off until spring. If you plan on taking it off and on a lot then the soft top pins may be the way to go. I always take my softtop out in the winter also. I also use the hardtop when I have my car on jackstands for any extended period of time. It seem to stiffen up the body do I don't develop any stress crack. Having a softtop and a hardtop gives our verts two very distinct looks. I like the look of my car with the hard top on it better that a t-top car (no offense because I like t-top cars too).
