New Hardtop
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
New Hardtop
I bought a hardtop for my 71 a couple of months ago. The hardtop is off a 74. I just refinished it with a black vinyl top and it turned out pretty good for an amature. Still woriking on the interior. My question is how does the hardtop attached to the deck lid? There are 2 chrome brackets that line up where the softtop snaps into the deck lid, but no pins coming out of the hardtop. The chrome brackets are threaded, am i missing a part?
There is also a bracket on the side of the hardtop (with a vinyl cover), but nothing in the body for it to bolt to. I might be missing something there also???
There is also a bracket on the side of the hardtop (with a vinyl cover), but nothing in the body for it to bolt to. I might be missing something there also???
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
You are missing the two studs that thread into the brackets that you show in the photo. The studs poke through the chrome receivers on your deck lid and each is held in place by a nut and large washer. There are also two special screws and nuts that attach at the very front of your decklid. There are probably two holes in the forward section of your deck lid already drilled in place for them. Finally, there should be three clasps at the front portion of the hard top that clamp onto your windshield header. Somewhere along the C3 convertible production, they added a third stud to the rear bow of the hardtop is spaced midway between the two larger chrome receivers. I mention it because you may find your hardtop has a place for the third stud it but your decklid may not be drilled or have the receiver for it.
Very nice job with the vinyl covering!!
Very nice job with the vinyl covering!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
hardtop does look nice in black vinyl. I have a white top for my blue car and have thought about black vinyl or trying to match the blue.
Originally Posted by depdep3
My question is how does the hardtop attached to the deck lid? There are 2 chrome brackets that line up where the softtop snaps into the deck lid, but no pins coming out of the hardtop. The chrome brackets are threaded, am i missing a part? You need pins (or studs, like lemansblue said). You can even try unscrewing the pins from your soft-top and screwing them into your hardtop. If you like those, buy a set for the hardtop. I actually bought some big old hardware store bolts and screwed them into the hardtop!
There is also a bracket on the side of the hardtop (with a vinyl cover), but nothing in the body for it to bolt to. I might be missing something there also???
Yes, these will be harder for you to use. Verts that came from the factory with a hardtop had a place for bolts to screw into the decklid through that clip on the hardtop. On mine, I pull aside the vinyl cover, screw the bolt into the side of the decklid and hide the bolthead with the vinyl cover thing. (I think I took a pic - )
Do you have the hardware at the front of the top?
There is also a bracket on the side of the hardtop (with a vinyl cover), but nothing in the body for it to bolt to. I might be missing something there also???
Yes, these will be harder for you to use. Verts that came from the factory with a hardtop had a place for bolts to screw into the decklid through that clip on the hardtop. On mine, I pull aside the vinyl cover, screw the bolt into the side of the decklid and hide the bolthead with the vinyl cover thing. (I think I took a pic - )
Do you have the hardware at the front of the top?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Here is a pic that shows a pin installed in the hardtop. This is the same pin that might be on your soft-top. May not be factory correct. Also, I don't think I would use just this pin if I didn't have the bolts that attach to the sides. On the left side you can see the clip that is used to attach the hardtop to the side of the decklid. I would use studs fully secured with a nut underneath in that case, if I couldn't use the side bolts.
This pic shows the hole in the side of the decklid where the bolt goes through that vinyl covered clip on your hardtop.
This pic shows the hole in the side of the decklid where the bolt goes through that vinyl covered clip on your hardtop.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Yes thre is a small bracket in along the back edge (bow) of the window for a small bolt to go through the deck lid. I do not have the hole in the deck lid and most likely will not add one.
I see the holes in the side edge of the deck lid where the vinyl covered back is, I do not have those holes.
The top came from Al Knock, it cost 58 bucks, far less than the paint and having someone shoot it.
There are 3 clamps on the front edge of the hardtop, they wiork fine.
Thanks all for the help and pictures.
I see the holes in the side edge of the deck lid where the vinyl covered back is, I do not have those holes.
The top came from Al Knock, it cost 58 bucks, far less than the paint and having someone shoot it.
There are 3 clamps on the front edge of the hardtop, they wiork fine.
Thanks all for the help and pictures.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
Nice job on the vinyl, I have done a couple of those. The rear bow lock housings should have threaded studs in them, long enough to reach through the receivers. They shouuld be held down with nuts over special washers that wont rotate on the receivers. There has been a lot of discussion in the past, and many people belive that the convertible bow lock pins, locked into the receivers provide adequate hold down on the rear, and there has been quite a lot of discussion as to whether pins or studs are correct. IMHO, the studs provide better security against the top becoming airborne, and agains't theft.
Orville
Orville
Last edited by 71rdster; Aug 1, 2006 at 01:39 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 4
From: Gig Harbor Wa
For the rear, factory correct is a threaded rod on the hardtop with washers and nuts under the decklid. Many peole use the soft-top pins and some (myself included) use regular bolts that go through the declid into the hard-top.
For the two front bolts in the decklid, you can buy a kit from ZIP or any of the other places for pretty cheap that has everything. There is a hollow bolt that goes through the decklid then a second bolt that threads into the first. pretty easy to install, just bolt on the hardtop then drill holes in the decklid using the hard-top as a guide.
For the two front bolts in the decklid, you can buy a kit from ZIP or any of the other places for pretty cheap that has everything. There is a hollow bolt that goes through the decklid then a second bolt that threads into the first. pretty easy to install, just bolt on the hardtop then drill holes in the decklid using the hard-top as a guide.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
Originally Posted by 70 LS1
For the rear, factory correct is a threaded rod on the hardtop with washers and nuts under the decklid. Many peole use the soft-top pins and some (myself included) use regular bolts that go through the declid into the hard-top.
For the two front bolts in the decklid, you can buy a kit from ZIP or any of the other places for pretty cheap that has everything. There is a hollow bolt that goes through the decklid then a second bolt that threads into the first. pretty easy to install, just bolt on the hardtop then drill holes in the decklid using the hard-top as a guide.
For the two front bolts in the decklid, you can buy a kit from ZIP or any of the other places for pretty cheap that has everything. There is a hollow bolt that goes through the decklid then a second bolt that threads into the first. pretty easy to install, just bolt on the hardtop then drill holes in the decklid using the hard-top as a guide.
My '71 has the threaded rods on the hardtop along with the center bolt that goes through the deck lid. I'm curious...what method do you use to install and remove your hardtop? With the soft-top in place, it is very tight to get my hands in there to remove the nut/washers.
Also, I never thought about using the soft-top studs...that would really be an easier way to install/remove the hardtop.
Thanks,
Dave
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 4
From: Gig Harbor Wa
Originally Posted by slk230red
70 LS1,
I'm curious...what method do you use to install and remove your hardtop? With the soft-top in place, it is very tight to get my hands in there to remove the nut/washers.
I'm curious...what method do you use to install and remove your hardtop? With the soft-top in place, it is very tight to get my hands in there to remove the nut/washers.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,363
Likes: 1,059
From: Virginia USA
Personally I would not use the soft top studs to hold the back. I don't think they are a secure as the threaded rod/nut setup. Ask Jughead about loosing a hard top at speed. 
The factory did drill a hole in the middle of the deck lid for a small stud to go through. I don't use that. I used to take my soft top out in the winter but since I just finished installing my new soft top I won't be doing that anymore.
I like my hard top. I think it give our Verts a whole different look. I run with mine every winter.
This is what you need if you are going to put it on without the soft top studs (2 each):
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...1FC3DB4E529911
And this is for the deck lid side mounting:
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...1FC3DB4E529911
The factory did drill a hole in the middle of the deck lid for a small stud to go through. I don't use that. I used to take my soft top out in the winter but since I just finished installing my new soft top I won't be doing that anymore.
I like my hard top. I think it give our Verts a whole different look. I run with mine every winter.
This is what you need if you are going to put it on without the soft top studs (2 each):
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...1FC3DB4E529911
And this is for the deck lid side mounting:
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...1FC3DB4E529911
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
OK, my '72 convertibel here came with a factory hard top, and the center bolt, I still have the fitting in place on the deck, but sold the top as totally useless to me here in Florida now....the top did have the tapered soft top style pins in it...and I feel they were factory original....
the history of the car sort of dictates that, in that it was owned by two women friends in succession, and was an old show car in the mid atlantic region.....they touched NOTHING mechanical except rebuild the engine once, a nice mild L48 rebuild, nothing fancy....
and the comments of studs/bolts and that soft top being in place are totally accurate, no freaking way GM ever shipped them with BOTH options in place together and having studs/bolts....
I ran the car with HT in place plenty of times, even for a couple entire seasons up north, and did plenty of highway speed bursts....not a problem....with the tapered pins....and I was allways too lazy to bother with the side bolts on those covered tabs too...
the history of the car sort of dictates that, in that it was owned by two women friends in succession, and was an old show car in the mid atlantic region.....they touched NOTHING mechanical except rebuild the engine once, a nice mild L48 rebuild, nothing fancy....
and the comments of studs/bolts and that soft top being in place are totally accurate, no freaking way GM ever shipped them with BOTH options in place together and having studs/bolts....
I ran the car with HT in place plenty of times, even for a couple entire seasons up north, and did plenty of highway speed bursts....not a problem....with the tapered pins....and I was allways too lazy to bother with the side bolts on those covered tabs too...
