Convertible top, how do you tell the year
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Convertible top, how do you tell the year
Looking through some of the parts we have, I found a convertible top, and likely a frame. How do you tell the year the top is off of? I haven't worked my way over to it to uncover it, but know it's white.
#3
Team Owner
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Hi D,
While not a 'date', if it's an original top there might also be some characteristics about just how it was made and stitched that could give a hint as to what 'era' it's from.
For instance how the front roll and rear tack-strip are done can indicate the age of the top.
Also, just what the material to the rear of the side door window is can be a clue.
Regards,
Alan
69 Top
While not a 'date', if it's an original top there might also be some characteristics about just how it was made and stitched that could give a hint as to what 'era' it's from.
For instance how the front roll and rear tack-strip are done can indicate the age of the top.
Also, just what the material to the rear of the side door window is can be a clue.
Regards,
Alan
69 Top
Last edited by Alan 71; 09-10-2017 at 08:28 AM.
#4
Team Owner
As you can see in this picture from Al Knoch Corvette Interiors there is a date stamp on the left rear bottom of the window:
Not sure how to decode it but it is there if it's original (it was on mine before I replaced it) and Al Knoch can stamp new tops with it if desired.
Not sure how to decode it but it is there if it's original (it was on mine before I replaced it) and Al Knoch can stamp new tops with it if desired.
#6
Team Owner
When I replaced my top I did recondition my frame by blasting it and a repaint but I didn't look for any serial number or date stamps because I'm just not into that kind of thing so I don't know. Alan may be able to answer that or you could look through a judging book. If there was a stamp on the frame a judging book should have that information.
#7
Drifting
Thread Starter
We inherited some parts and not sure what everything is. The parts are a lot of C2 and C3, but since we don't have any convertibles I have limited knowledge.
#8
Team Owner
Post up a picture of the frame and I should be able to tell if it's for a C2 or C3.
Round Rock, Tx. We lived there for 10 years and my oldest was born in RR Hospital. Lived in Cat Hollow off of O'Connor Drive.
Round Rock, Tx. We lived there for 10 years and my oldest was born in RR Hospital. Lived in Cat Hollow off of O'Connor Drive.
#9
Instructor
Please post the pictures as Andies suggests. The date code will tell you when it was manufactured, but not the model year of the top. A good service replacement may have a date code much newer than the car. I would fear a service replacement for a C2 could have a date after 1967.
#10
Burning Brakes
As you can see in this picture from Al Knoch Corvette Interiors there is a date stamp on the left rear bottom of the window:
Not sure how to decode it but it is there if it's original (it was on mine before I replaced it) and Al Knoch can stamp new tops with it if desired.
Not sure how to decode it but it is there if it's original (it was on mine before I replaced it) and Al Knoch can stamp new tops with it if desired.
If you post a picture I'm sure someone will be able to tell you more.
Hope this helps,
Tooch
Last edited by Tooch1; 09-11-2017 at 09:50 AM. Reason: Added info.
#11
Drifting
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St. Jude Donor '07
So what no one has come out and said, if it is a c-3 frame, it will fit 68 to 74 c-3. I think there was s alight difference with the cable over the window between 68 and later years, but don't take that to the bank.
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#14
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
To id between c2 and c3... to me the quickest way is to look at the header. The header bow on a C3 was huge... the c2 bow was way smaller. A 68-75 top would also have an abs plastic header panel cover.
C3 header panel cover.
C3 header
C2 Header
The 68 top tension cables were different, they were shorter by 2-3".
And lastly, the 73-75 tops had an extra stay cable for the rear bow on the driver side.
Willcox
C3 header panel cover.
C3 header
C2 Header
The 68 top tension cables were different, they were shorter by 2-3".
And lastly, the 73-75 tops had an extra stay cable for the rear bow on the driver side.
Willcox
#15
Team Owner
To id between c2 and c3... to me the quickest way is to look at the header. The header bow on a C3 was huge... the c2 bow was way smaller. A 68-75 top would also have an abs plastic header panel cover.
C3 header panel cover.
C3 header
C2 Header
The 68 top tension cables were different, they were shorter by 2-3".
And lastly, the 73-75 tops had an extra stay cable for the rear bow on the driver side.
Willcox
C3 header panel cover.
C3 header
C2 Header
The 68 top tension cables were different, they were shorter by 2-3".
And lastly, the 73-75 tops had an extra stay cable for the rear bow on the driver side.
Willcox
My '71 frame has the stay cable for the rear bow, drivers side.