Convertible Top install cost? 1975
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 215
Likes: 12
From: Conyers Georgia
Convertible Top install cost? 1975
I need to have a new top put on my 1975 convertible. I got a new top with the car, but I need to have it installed on the frame. I am going to clean up and paint the frame, so I am looking at labor only.
What should I look to pay to have it done, what is a fair price for a good job?
Also, does anyone have a recommendation for someone to use in the Atlanta area?
The forum assistance is alway greatly appreciated.
What should I look to pay to have it done, what is a fair price for a good job?
Also, does anyone have a recommendation for someone to use in the Atlanta area?
The forum assistance is alway greatly appreciated.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Some of the tops we take off here make me sick. There is a guy that installs them and he's close to us.... He does it wrong every single time.
He pop rivets the rear of the soft top to the rear bow, then uses the hold in cord to only hold the weatherstrip in place. Shabby.. but it also knocks about 1.5 hours off the job time. Looks good when he's done until the top shrinks a bit.
This same guy will not adjust the door glass to match the top frame either so you'd better have these ready to go before you take him the car.
There is way more to putting a top on than just installing canvas... unless you are replacing it on a car that has good door adjustment and a good working frame.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
MORE than anything make damn sure your new top actually will fit your car, I got burnt that way but good some years ago, got one off some site or other, came from NW USA.....and the top was way too wide across the top, and so could not close the damn doors with windows up, totally not made right.....but I paid 150 bux for the locak install and he came to ME....not his fault, as I had the top for a couple months and he looked at it and first words was that it was too wide.....would drape down over the side/door windows too much.....but the old top was already cut off the car and needed something.....I took a razor blade to the POS and cut it up higher to clear the damn door glass and glued up the trim....looks like crap, but don't leak, much......
NEXT time I buy one, and measure it myself or lay it over the top myself to see IF anyone bothered to actually make one right.....
NEXT time I buy one, and measure it myself or lay it over the top myself to see IF anyone bothered to actually make one right.....
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
MORE than anything make damn sure your new top actually will fit your car, I got burnt that way but good some years ago, got one off some site or other, came from NW USA.....and the top was way too wide across the top, and so could not close the damn doors with windows up, totally not made right.....but I paid 150 bux for the locak install and he came to ME....not his fault, as I had the top for a couple months and he looked at it and first words was that it was too wide.....would drape down over the side/door windows too much.....but the old top was already cut off the car and needed something.....I took a razor blade to the POS and cut it up higher to clear the damn door glass and glued up the trim....looks like crap, but don't leak, much......
NEXT time I buy one, and measure it myself or lay it over the top myself to see IF anyone bothered to actually make one right.....
NEXT time I buy one, and measure it myself or lay it over the top myself to see IF anyone bothered to actually make one right.....
I'm a dealer for "the other top" company... and we did the test fit for their top for another major vendor. While the top fit pretty decent, the straps were wrong and there were a few other issues too... In short, I'd rather install a Knoch Top.... The Knoch brand top will fit perfect, it's the only top we will install in the shop. So.. if you buy it here or somewhere else make sure it's a Knoch top.
IMHO,
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Nov 7, 2014 at 08:45 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
I have an Al Knock top and I can't figure out how to lock the canvas in the rear to the frame of my 6t8. Those pop rivots are starting to sound pretty good, maybe I wont be around long enough to see the schrinkage. Please help. T
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 50
From: Laguna Niguel California
FWIW - With the age of these old dinosaurs and possibly the number of times the top has been replaced, you may need a new tack strip and pads too. Be prepared to replace more than you expected.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
B) Find the center of the rear of the top, find the center of the bow.
C) You install the bead from the rear of the top into the rear bow. There is a hidden ledge inside that bow and a small tack/nail remover works great for forcing the bead in place. This is tricky and we use small cut off sections of old spark plug wires to hold it in place until we have it fully seated.
D) Find the center of the rear bow weatherstrip and using just plain water, install the weatherstrip and hold in cord in the same slot as the one you put the rear soft top bead in...
Sounds easy... it's not. Royal PITA
But for the most part, this is the hardest part of the installation. I believe anyone with the right tools can install a top.
Willcox
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
another un-expected cost for sure.. The cost of the strips, plus the time to install them.