Convertible top change
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 385
Likes: 8
From: north branford ct
Convertible top change
Hi guys I just bought a 1969 427 numbers matching vette that needs some love. I’m in the hospital with a big back surgery and when I’m out I’d like to replace the top. Has anyone here done that ? Place to get the top? And is it doable in my garage , I’m a good mechanic but never tackled a soft top. Thanks guys
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,326
Likes: 721
From: Marietta GA
I read a number of posts and it looks like the job can be done by most guys. An hood electric staple gun is the only tool you may need to buy. I had a shop instal mine because there is obviously some spec skills involved. We had a top done by a shop on a modern Mustang that even with all the hydraulics the locking tabs would not engage. I took it back and they adjusted everything. I think one guy said it took him two days, obviously going slow. My advice would be to watch the video, and see if it’s something you want to tackle. The labor wasn’t too bad, especially if a person ruined the new top and had to buy a second one.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 385
Likes: 8
From: north branford ct
thank you. I see Al Knoch has my top for $5.. and I see corvette online parts selling what they call Al Knoch tops for $2.. could that be true or are they knock off Al Knoch tops ?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
https://www.topflightautomotive.com/...top-kit-black/
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 385
Likes: 8
From: north branford ct
Not sure where you are getting these prices but this is what I found...
https://www.topflightautomotive.com/...top-kit-black/
https://www.topflightautomotive.com/...top-kit-black/
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 385
Likes: 8
From: north branford ct
thanks
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,757
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
Al Knock Interiors sells them at his website and they are very high quality replacement parts. If you are the type to feel the need for a "Date Coded" strip they will even do that for you. His tops are certainly more expensive than the prices listed above but still very reasonable. They are listed for less than $300 for the top kit for a 1968 like mine. They also have a DVD with how to replace a convertible top.
The hard tops were covered in a Hard Vinyl but the convertible tops are identical to what Chevrolet used when they built these cars. You can't get better quality or support from anyone over Al Knock Interiors. I also have his leather seat covers and new foam in my C3.
The hard tops were covered in a Hard Vinyl but the convertible tops are identical to what Chevrolet used when they built these cars. You can't get better quality or support from anyone over Al Knock Interiors. I also have his leather seat covers and new foam in my C3.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,757
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
Call Al Knock interiors and they will sell you the DVD. They gave me one when I bought my very first convertible top. When you want to see their website use this: AlKnockInteriors.Com and it will pop right up for you.
The Phone Number for Al Knock Interiors 1-800-880-8080
The Phone Number for Al Knock Interiors 1-800-880-8080
Last edited by ctmccloskey; Nov 7, 2022 at 03:23 PM. Reason: added phone Number
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,404
Likes: 791
From: Redondo Beach, California
From what I know, I'd definately go Al Knoch. Knoch goes to a lot of trouble to create replica soft tops. When replacing a convertible top, they usually just razor blade off the old top. When I told Al my top was the original factory top, he had his worker carefully remove it so as to not damage it more than possible. He said he would put it into his museum of original factory tops to verify the fidelity of his repro top. He was interested in the stitching and the underlying materials. I have his video on how to replace the top. I toyed with the idea of doing it myself. Glad I didn't. Watching his workers, I could see there was a lot of skill and experience I could never duplicate. They adjusted the frame and their top fit much better than my factory top. My new top had an excellent fit and appearance...no sags and the fabric is tight as a drum when the top is up. The new top was installed during one of Al's visits to the Pomona Fairgrounds (Fairplex) Swap Meet. Pomona, California. Got to talk with him off and on over several hours.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 624
Likes: 121
From what I know, I'd definately go Al Knoch. Knoch goes to a lot of trouble to create replica soft tops. When replacing a convertible top, they usually just razor blade off the old top. When I told Al my top was the original factory top, he had his worker carefully remove it so as to not damage it more than possible. He said he would put it into his museum of original factory tops to verify the fidelity of his repro top. He was interested in the stitching and the underlying materials. I have his video on how to replace the top. I toyed with the idea of doing it myself. Glad I didn't. Watching his workers, I could see there was a lot of skill and experience I could never duplicate. They adjusted the frame and their top fit much better than my factory top. My new top had an excellent fit and appearance...no sags and the fabric is tight as a drum when the top is up. The new top was installed during one of Al's visits to the Pomona Fairgrounds (Fairplex) Swap Meet. Pomona, California. Got to talk with him off and on over several hours.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,757
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
IF you want to get something installed by Al Knock and his experts just call him LONG before the upcoming Corvettes@Carlisle. I have seen them doing seats and tops at the shows under the big tent they bring and set up. I need to do my top and am getting some horrendous prices here in the Washington DC Area for just the installation of the top on a Corvette. Being such a small top it shouldn't be so bloody expensive.
I called Al Knock and got the latest DVD so I will measure the existing top and then remove the top and sandblast the frame and powder coat it before replacing the top. If it doesn't come out perfect I will get another top and take it to Tony's Corvettes in Gaithersburg MD. They have the expertise to do it properly for me and if you want to travel a bit they have an amazing restoration shop at Tony's Corvettes. They really do some amazing restoration work at that shop! They will work on any Corvette from 1953 up to the latest ones as they are an authorized GM repair shop allowing them to do warranty work on the newer Corvettes. This is the shop if you live within 100 miles of Washington DC.
I called Al Knock and got the latest DVD so I will measure the existing top and then remove the top and sandblast the frame and powder coat it before replacing the top. If it doesn't come out perfect I will get another top and take it to Tony's Corvettes in Gaithersburg MD. They have the expertise to do it properly for me and if you want to travel a bit they have an amazing restoration shop at Tony's Corvettes. They really do some amazing restoration work at that shop! They will work on any Corvette from 1953 up to the latest ones as they are an authorized GM repair shop allowing them to do warranty work on the newer Corvettes. This is the shop if you live within 100 miles of Washington DC.