Original convertible top and date code
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
Original convertible top and date code
Hi,
I have some questions about the convertible top on C3 corvette. My car is a 68 convertible corvette yellow.
I read on internet that original convertible tops are date coded on the window with the year and the month of the manufacturing. Could you confirm?
Where can I buy a new convertible top with the engraving date code and which will fit well? I heard that some new models are not well manufactured and don’t fit well with the structure and the car...
I have another question about convertible top. How can we define the original color of the top? In fact, I have only the structure of the top with my 68 convertible corvette and I would like to know the original factory color if it is possible.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Best regards.
I have some questions about the convertible top on C3 corvette. My car is a 68 convertible corvette yellow.
I read on internet that original convertible tops are date coded on the window with the year and the month of the manufacturing. Could you confirm?
Where can I buy a new convertible top with the engraving date code and which will fit well? I heard that some new models are not well manufactured and don’t fit well with the structure and the car...
I have another question about convertible top. How can we define the original color of the top? In fact, I have only the structure of the top with my 68 convertible corvette and I would like to know the original factory color if it is possible.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Best regards.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 97
From: Lake Norman, NC
Hello Z. Looks like you’re a new member. Welcome!
So much of what you do and what parts you buy for your ‘68 convertible depends on what you want to do with the car and what you want it to be. Are you looking to have it as a daily driver? Maybe a fair weather cruiser, a resto mod or perhaps you want to do your best to return the car to its original configuration and condition. I recommend you make this decision before you start anything.
As for the top, you’re right. A two- character alpha code denotes date of manufacture for the top. As a matter of fact, many, many, many components on your car are dated. Different codes are used to derive date, depending on the component. I like the Al Knoch top. Maybe it’s because I’ve come to know Al and Elliott on a somewhat personal basis and I’ve always gotten good product and service from them. If you want to replicate the original top as best you can, have it date stamped and get the smaller bead across the front windshield header. Some people refer to this as the “Kennedy Bead.” Get the white care tag too. Original color is hard to ascertain. It’s not identified on the trim tag. It is identified on the build sheet (AKA tank sticker) if you have that. My sources show that GM offered 3 different soft top colors in 1968. These were black, white and beige. What color is your interior? If you don’t have a build sheet for the car, I’ll suggest you choose a color that looks best to you and be happy.
Hope this helps
Don
So much of what you do and what parts you buy for your ‘68 convertible depends on what you want to do with the car and what you want it to be. Are you looking to have it as a daily driver? Maybe a fair weather cruiser, a resto mod or perhaps you want to do your best to return the car to its original configuration and condition. I recommend you make this decision before you start anything.
As for the top, you’re right. A two- character alpha code denotes date of manufacture for the top. As a matter of fact, many, many, many components on your car are dated. Different codes are used to derive date, depending on the component. I like the Al Knoch top. Maybe it’s because I’ve come to know Al and Elliott on a somewhat personal basis and I’ve always gotten good product and service from them. If you want to replicate the original top as best you can, have it date stamped and get the smaller bead across the front windshield header. Some people refer to this as the “Kennedy Bead.” Get the white care tag too. Original color is hard to ascertain. It’s not identified on the trim tag. It is identified on the build sheet (AKA tank sticker) if you have that. My sources show that GM offered 3 different soft top colors in 1968. These were black, white and beige. What color is your interior? If you don’t have a build sheet for the car, I’ll suggest you choose a color that looks best to you and be happy.
Hope this helps
Don
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
Hello Z. Looks like you’re a new member. Welcome!
So much of what you do and what parts you buy for your ‘68 convertible depends on what you want to do with the car and what you want it to be. Are you looking to have it as a daily driver? Maybe a fair weather cruiser, a resto mod or perhaps you want to do your best to return the car to its original configuration and condition. I recommend you make this decision before you start anything.
As for the top, you’re right. A two- character alpha code denotes date of manufacture for the top. As a matter of fact, many, many, many components on your car are dated. Different codes are used to derive date, depending on the component. I like the Al Knoch top. Maybe it’s because I’ve come to know Al and Elliott on a somewhat personal basis and I’ve always gotten good product and service from them. If you want to replicate the original top as best you can, have it date stamped and get the smaller bead across the front windshield header. Some people refer to this as the “Kennedy Bead.” Get the white care tag too. Original color is hard to ascertain. It’s not identified on the trim tag. It is identified on the build sheet (AKA tank sticker) if you have that. My sources show that GM offered 3 different soft top colors in 1968. These were black, white and beige. What color is your interior? If you don’t have a build sheet for the car, I’ll suggest you choose a color that looks best to you and be happy.
Hope this helps
Don
So much of what you do and what parts you buy for your ‘68 convertible depends on what you want to do with the car and what you want it to be. Are you looking to have it as a daily driver? Maybe a fair weather cruiser, a resto mod or perhaps you want to do your best to return the car to its original configuration and condition. I recommend you make this decision before you start anything.
As for the top, you’re right. A two- character alpha code denotes date of manufacture for the top. As a matter of fact, many, many, many components on your car are dated. Different codes are used to derive date, depending on the component. I like the Al Knoch top. Maybe it’s because I’ve come to know Al and Elliott on a somewhat personal basis and I’ve always gotten good product and service from them. If you want to replicate the original top as best you can, have it date stamped and get the smaller bead across the front windshield header. Some people refer to this as the “Kennedy Bead.” Get the white care tag too. Original color is hard to ascertain. It’s not identified on the trim tag. It is identified on the build sheet (AKA tank sticker) if you have that. My sources show that GM offered 3 different soft top colors in 1968. These were black, white and beige. What color is your interior? If you don’t have a build sheet for the car, I’ll suggest you choose a color that looks best to you and be happy.
Hope this helps
Don
For the top, I’ll look to the manufacturer you advise to me. Any website where I can find it?
Unfortunately, for the original color of the top, I don’t have the build sheet and the tank is a new one. My car is yellow with a black interior.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 3
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From: Florida
It is not an easy decision. I read some posts that saying some Al Knoch are too tight and said that the best are the Robbins tops... the Al knoch site is not so good and there are not so much description! I really don’t know what I have to order and if Al knoch will be the best one! If someone could help me it would be really appreciated. Thank you.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
It is not an easy decision. I read some posts that saying some Al Knoch are too tight and said that the best are the Robbins tops... the Al knoch site is not so good and there are not so much description! I really don’t know what I have to order and if Al knoch will be the best one! If someone could help me it would be really appreciated. Thank you.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,403
Likes: 791
From: Redondo Beach, California
My 68 top is by Al Knoch. When he removes an old top, he usually razor blade it off...slam, bamb. When he saw my old top was the original factory top, he had it carefully removed, not to damage it. He said it was going to his "museum." He keeps old originals for accurate duplication, particularly to answer questions by National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) members. He does provide the proper date codes.
BTW. C3 Convertible tops varied over the years. Al was installing a new top on a 74 and then discovered that the 74 had a 68 convertible frame. He removed the 74 top and install a 68. PS: I just checked. The Corvette parts vendors sell the same replacement top for 68 through 75. Why Knoch removed the 74 top, I don't know, except that I had to wait another few hours to get my top replaced.
BTW. C3 Convertible tops varied over the years. Al was installing a new top on a 74 and then discovered that the 74 had a 68 convertible frame. He removed the 74 top and install a 68. PS: I just checked. The Corvette parts vendors sell the same replacement top for 68 through 75. Why Knoch removed the 74 top, I don't know, except that I had to wait another few hours to get my top replaced.
Last edited by 68/70Vette; Jun 12, 2021 at 06:03 PM.
