My recently acquired '70 Stingray convertable has a hardtop and I cannot figure out how to remove it. I removed the 2 chrome bolts, released both the latches by the visors, but what else is there to do? I see a lever in the middle of the rear cowl cover but nothing releases when I move those levers. Whats the solution?

 

There are 2 latches in the rear cover. One opens the cover and the other releases the rear top hold downs. There may also be a bolt on each side right behind the door pillar.
Have some help handy. IT can be done by one person, but the risk of both damage to the top and car, or to yourself is high.

 

3 latches in front released, both side bolts removed. How does the middle bolt (or is it a nut?) below rear glass get properly removed? Its buried and hard to access. And do I need to turn the dual latches that have cables going left and right under the cowl?

 

This is what a forum member told me for my 73(but I think it's the same for 68-74) I liked it so much I copied it, just for times like this.

There are 7 attachment points.

Front - three latches that connect the top to the hearder.


Middle - on each side there is a bolt that connects the top to the decklid. The bolts are hidden under a cover that is attached to the hardtop. If the covers do not slide of when you pull on them, then use something to gently pry them off.

Back - there are three attachments in the back. The middle one is held on by a nut. The two side attachment points may be either pins (just like the softtop pins), or bolts with nuts.

The lever that you mention is the decklid release, and pin release mechanism. Pulling on one side will release the decklid, and pulling on the other will release pins. If you hardtop has the pin type connector, that will release the pins, otherwise you need to remove the nuts.

Removing the nuts in the back can be difficult to reach. What I do that makes it easier is to remove things in this order.

1) Release the front latches
2) Pull the lever to release the decklid
3) Lift the hardtop with the middle, and rear attachments connected
4) Have someone hold the hardtop/decklid up, while I remove rear nuts
5) Remove side attachment bolts
6) Lift and remove hardtop - while the hardtop is not very heavy, you need to lift from both sides at the same time, so it is at least a 2 person job (unless you have a hoist).

If you have bolts/nuts on the two rear outside attachment points, you can replace them with the softtop pins to make things easier in the future.

 

Greetings!

On a 1970 hardtop there are (8) Eight attachment locations.
I know for a fact because I currently own a 1970 two top convertible
and I do this all the time.

At the front there are (3) three latches-
There is one located at the center, between the sun visors.
There is one on each side, at the front left and the front right side.

At the middle there are (2) hex head mounting bolts.
There is one on each side.

First open both doors and leave them open.
Move both of your front seats all the way forward.
Where the vinyl side panels come down in alignment with the
rear storage area, there is a vinyl cover that is tethered to the hardtop.

The cover comes down and snaps around the top of a hex head bolt which
secures the sides of the hardtop to the body.

Simply grab the sides of the approximately 1 inch cover, pull it towards you.
It will unsnap but be sure not to twist it since the tether is made of 42 year old vinyl and cannot
be replaced. Next remove the bolt.

At the rear-
Beneath the rear window at the center, there is a bolt and on each side there is one fairly long
threaded stud that comes down through the deck lid. All three are held down with a washer and a
nut.

The bolt in the center is much shorter than the two threaded studs on the sides.
The center bolt washer and nut are out of sight in a recessed hole in the deck lid.
Once you find a way to lay between the back of the seat and above the storage compartments,
you will need a flashlight to see the nut as its small.

It will require a small socket. Off hand I honestly don't remember the sizes,
but you will need an extension or deep socket to reach it.

It's true that removing the nuts in the back especially the one
in the center is difficult to reach. Hopefully you or someone you
know is flexible and will be able to contort your body to get back in
there. For your sake, I hope the soft top is not back there with the
hardtop on. Its can really become a challenge to remove.
Been there done that.

As previously mentioned in the last thread, the lever at the front/center underside of the deck lid
is the deck lid release, and pin release mechanism.By pulling on one side will release the
deck-lid, and pulling on the other will release pins.

My step by step procedure differs from the previous thread.

1) Remove your antenna - Trust me you will be glad you did.
2) Open both doors.
3) Release the front three latches.
4) Remove the two bolts at the center sides under the vinyl tether.
5) Remove the three nuts and washers connecting the two studs and the bolt at the center.
6) If you are on the drivers side of car, have someone be ready on the other side.

7) Go to the side best suited to your dexterity. Since I'm left handed,
I'm on the drivers side. Please keep in mind that the top is not that light because
its awkward to move.

8) For me, I place my left hand fingers inside and around the side
handle release cutout and work my right hand fingers under the back of
hardtop, between the window and where the metal pointed ends of the
rear of the hardtop are. The person on the other side will do the same
only with opposite hands.

9) With the doors open and antenna removed, at the count of three,
lift the top up and off at the same time. While continuing to lift the top,
slowly move sideways and rearward until you clear the car. Then carefully place
the top in vehicle position with the header supported.

I hope this helps.

Good luck.

Rudy

 

Nice instructions Rudy!

I remove my hard top almost exactly as you describe. The one difference is that I lift the deck (with the top still on) to remove the nuts from the under side. It requires a fair bit of care so that the loosened top doesn't 'rock' back against the paint where the stainless trim tips can dig into the paint, however, with this risk covered, access to the underside hardware is MUCH easier. This also requires 2 people.

Good luck 736cc. Let us know how you do...

 

These are very helpful tips, and it confirmed that I wasn't lame; this is quite an operation to remove! You need to contort your body into all sorts a crazy positions, loosen hidden nuts, and because the cars been sitting for 22 years, that rear area is full of cobwebs and dust like a Friday night horror B-movie!!
Got it off, MUCH easier to detail the interior!

 

Greetings!

I'm glad you were able to remove the rascal.
Being the purist that I am, in the event you didn't get the top off,
I went to ahead and took photos to go along with the instructions I gave earlier.

For whatever reason, either my blasted camera or computer,
is not being corporative.

As soon as I can figure out the problem, I will post the photos,
in the event someone needs photos as well as written instructions to
remove they're newly acquired hardtop.

Rudy

 

While never actually owned a 70' vert, had similar vehicles, and found a simple ceiling mounted hoist to best the best way. Last was a pick up truck, with fiberglass cap on it. Got a couple rope falls, and pulled it off when wanting taller items. Nothing fancy here, as can get motorized jobs too. Just backed the vehicle in, pulled the top, and drove away. Top was just waiting for me stored out of the way, without taking up any floor space.