Soft top installation
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 211
Likes: 2
Soft top installation
Hello, 1970 convertible..Want to educate myself in the art of soft top installation for a possible future project. Saw somewhere you could download a tutorial but naturally can't find information now. I know you can buy a vid from the same company that sells the tops. I would probably do that IF I decided to attempt the project. I'm trying to gather enough info to decide if Ive got the skills. Thanks Matt
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Get a copy of the Al Knoch video and watch it. After seeing how it's done, you can determine whether you want to tackle the job yourself.
If memory serves, Vette Magaine did a How-To article on C3 soft top replacement. You might scare it up in their archives.
If memory serves, Vette Magaine did a How-To article on C3 soft top replacement. You might scare it up in their archives.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,804
Likes: 4
From: Standing still with all my might Texas
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09-'11
I just installed a top on my 73. Probably one of the least frustrating projects I have tackled on it.
Unless you know for certain that your tack strips are less than a few decades old you should plan on replacing them.
The instructions that come with the Al Knock top are poorly written and very hard to understand until you are actually doing the job, but they are somewhat helpful.
Just make sure you get the measurements between the bows correct, and be careful to get the top placed evenly side to side before you start attaching it. The good news is that if you mess up on almost any step you can usually go back and pull staples (or the plastic bead on the rear bow) then re-position (I had to do this several times). You will have to trim excess fabric at several points during the installation, just make absolutely sure you have everything the way you want it before you start cutting.
Good luck
Unless you know for certain that your tack strips are less than a few decades old you should plan on replacing them.
The instructions that come with the Al Knock top are poorly written and very hard to understand until you are actually doing the job, but they are somewhat helpful.
Just make sure you get the measurements between the bows correct, and be careful to get the top placed evenly side to side before you start attaching it. The good news is that if you mess up on almost any step you can usually go back and pull staples (or the plastic bead on the rear bow) then re-position (I had to do this several times). You will have to trim excess fabric at several points during the installation, just make absolutely sure you have everything the way you want it before you start cutting.
Good luck
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
New England Events Coordinator
replaced a 70 vert 2 years ago, purchased Al Knoch (top, weather stripping, insert for the bows, glues etc. $500), DVD from Corvette central. Watch the DVD several times, take your time and as Scott mentions, be sure to match the top on the rear bow evenly at both sides. If you get this correct most everything else should align.
Good luck!
Good luck!
