Hi all,
need a replacement white vinyl top for my 68 convertible.
For those that have done the install themselves, which one did you purchase and what additional parts were required..

Apart from the top, and tack strips and weather stripping, what else should I order.

ps. I live in Australia, so I'd like to get everything I'll need in 1 shipment.

 

I bought mine from Ed Kotch,I believe their company is in Texas. Call them they will
help you with everything. Get their cd it will show you everything you need to do.
good luck it’s not that hard. A little nerve racking when you have to take a knife and cut
but it’s very doable. They are the best supplier you will find.

 

convert tops are pretty generic. look into having one made by somebody local. you are on the water. boat upholstery shops would be a place to start. they will probably know who does them and how well.

 

I'm in the process of this event. Here's my story.
I bought a Robins brand top for my 68. I did a total nut and bolt restoration over many years. Bought the top early on and it sat, boxed on the shelf in a climate controlled garage. Well when it came time to install, the side sail panels are 1 1/2" short each side. I let sit in the sun, it definitely got more flexible but not enough. I tried heat gun, lamps etc. No go. I finally gave in and visited an Upholstery shop. I was quoted $1200.00 for a new top with pads. They will also be installing my supplied new weatherstripping. I gave in and in 3 weeks should have a new top. I was pretty bummed about the Robbins top not fitting but the shop did inspect it, I had it partially installed to where they could see my delema with the sail panels. They are convinced the top was just made too short and I would never be able to stretch it to fit. My point to all this is to not put off the installation. I waited too long and rightly so, Robbins would not do anything for me.
Good luck

 

Ed Kotch ???
I haven't heard of them...
Or do you mean Al Knoch. He's in Texas.
And yes, I am a bit apprehensive cutting the top out.
Tom

 

I would second the suggestion of AL KNOCH who is located in Texas. He has a great website and will even produce you a top with the proper date codes on the tag. There is NOBODY who makes tops as well as AL KNOCK does!

Today he offers the installation video on a DVD!

 

Sorry Al

 

Hi Tom, I'm in Queensland. And I don't have a convertible.
(Yes I'm jealous).
But I thought I would add a little something anyway.
a few years ago I thought I would order everything I needed for my fuel injection upgrade in one complete shipment.
Got everything I needed in one go. And yes I planned that well and did indeed get everything I needed. It came in at a bit over 1,000 dollars Australian. Orders coming in over 1,000 dollars AU. Including the cost of shipping WILL get hung up in customs. And then they need a special import number for each individual part in that box. So it becomes a giant hassle. Customs gives you like 5 days to get all the forms filled in and taxes paid or after that short time frame they start fineing you a huge amount per day.
Yes you can run down to customs and fill in all the forms yourself, but if your not educated in all these different numbers for different parts. Your sunk.
I ended up hiring a import specialist in Brisbane to get all the numbers filled in and get my parts out of customs. Plus I had to pay the additional tax. About 350 for the Customs specialist. Another 375 in additional tax.
Later, when I ordered my air-con parts. I asked the company to ship in 2 separate boxes a couple days apart. They were happy to help. No additional fees at the border.
Just thought all this was worth mentioning.

 

My dad did tops for a living. It is doable to do it yourself, but good luck getting it to look good. And if there are any issues with the top frame, can you fix that? When my dad was done with a top, it looked like new with no wrinkles and if there were any issues with the frame, he fixed/adjusted it. Good luck either way.