A question about vert hardtops...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Contributor
A question about vert hardtops...
I posted on this forum and on a racing site that I am looking for a hardtop for this vette. I've gotten a couple of answers with what appears to be some nice tops. My question is.....
"Will any year '68-'75 hardtop fit on a '74?"
Seems I read somewhere that the '74-'75 hardtops are different in some way. Fact or fiction?
[Modified by bgrice, 9:13 PM 4/23/2003]
"Will any year '68-'75 hardtop fit on a '74?"
Seems I read somewhere that the '74-'75 hardtops are different in some way. Fact or fiction?
[Modified by bgrice, 9:13 PM 4/23/2003]
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Contributor
Re: A question about vert hardtops... (bgrice)
TTT
Someone pipe in about these vert tops. I have two pretty good leads and both asking the same price. Pics coming in tomorrow from one out of Oklahoma from a Super Comp drag racer(from the drag racing parts board I posted on) that was on a '72. This one I believe came off of a '69 blue vert. I'm waiting to hear back from the seller. Black? I'm still letting that one set in, but I did leave it as an option.
Someone pipe in about these vert tops. I have two pretty good leads and both asking the same price. Pics coming in tomorrow from one out of Oklahoma from a Super Comp drag racer(from the drag racing parts board I posted on) that was on a '72. This one I believe came off of a '69 blue vert. I'm waiting to hear back from the seller. Black? I'm still letting that one set in, but I did leave it as an option.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,569
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From: Hawaii
Re: A question about vert hardtops... (bgrice)
My answer is that hardtops are a pain in the butt. Hard to put on by your self, hard to take off by yourself, and take up gobs of space when you aren't using it.
And I don't know the difference in the years. My 69s hardtop has 3 posts along the top of the windshield and two posts on the back deck.
And I don't know the difference in the years. My 69s hardtop has 3 posts along the top of the windshield and two posts on the back deck.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
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From: Huntersville NC
Re: A question about vert hardtops... (Maurice)
I am not sure if 74/75 is different. Does your car have 3 holes in back or only 2? I lean mine up against the wall when not in use. Get one of my sons to help me take it off/put it on. :) MJ
Also, I am 6' 2" and have a MAJOR head clearance problem with my helmet + hardtop! (scrunch crunch!). No probs with soft top or no helmet, but helmet + hardtop is bad! I might try removing the headliner.
That black vinyl looks very nice - It will look great on your red vert! :)
[Modified by MNJack, 1:40 AM 4/24/2003]
Also, I am 6' 2" and have a MAJOR head clearance problem with my helmet + hardtop! (scrunch crunch!). No probs with soft top or no helmet, but helmet + hardtop is bad! I might try removing the headliner.
That black vinyl looks very nice - It will look great on your red vert! :)
[Modified by MNJack, 1:40 AM 4/24/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
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From: New Zealand
Re: A question about vert hardtops... (bgrice)
The vendors I've researched list hardware and tops as fitting 68-75 Vettes.....why would 74-75 be different??? There's no body style changes here, except plastic bumpers. And, at any rate, you've converted your coupe...so I bet the soft top and hardware you bought would fit an earlier Vette......It shouldn't be any different for a Hardtop.......
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
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From: Orange Park Florida
Re: A question about vert hardtops... (bgrice)
Some of the hardtops have a center bolt that goes into the rear deck....it's not needed by my experience....I sold my h-top....for reasons listed above...storage and installation PIA....so hell with it....I never bothered with the side tab bolts near the door latch either...just used the convertible top equivaltent fastening points...used to hold just fine.....hated where the gasket scrubbed it way into the paint though...left a bad pattern there....was fixed though....another PIA.....dirt and grit act as sandpaper there, I used aluminum tape for a time on that, worked ok....
GENE
GENE
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Brett Foote
Instructor
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From: Pearland Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: A question about vert hardtops... (bgrice)
Bgrice,
I have one for a 68 that you can try if you want. I live right down the road from you if you want to come by and try it on for size.
wayne h.
I have one for a 68 that you can try if you want. I live right down the road from you if you want to come by and try it on for size.
wayne h.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
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Re: A question about vert hardtops... (Blue68)
I'll be looking for a hardtop myself in a year or so ... my '74 'vert has a "pop-up" chrome piece that fits into the third connection point mentioned ... as it serves no purpose on the soft top I assume its for the optional hardtop. All the references books do not mention ANY difference other than a '68 doesn't have the chrome corner tips on it (these are so you can prop it up against a wall without damaging the "points" it makes at the rear). As I've had removable hardtops on previous 'verts (foreign jobs) its a personal choice ... really gives you another car (a more weather tight coupe and a 'vert!) for very little additional money :thumbs:
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Loveland, CO
Re: A question about vert hardtops... (bgrice)
Sorry to hi-jack this thread, but it brings up a question I have regarding hardtops. I have a 69 and the rear two attachment pins are just two threaded bolts about 3" long, with nothing attached to the end to secure them into the locking holes. I suspect I am missing some parts, but the various parts catalogs drawings are little help. Can anyone snap a photo to post, or give me an idea of what I need to complete the latch pins?
Thanks
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
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From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Re: A question about vert hardtops... (rponfick)
I had the same problem. My hardtop had bolt threads in place for the rear. The bolt would touch the softop and I could not put the nut on to secure the hardtop.
I bought the pins that are the same as those used on the softop. $10 each from ecklers. (part # A2716) You also need the Bolt kit for the sides (contains everything for both sides Part # 41972). Ecklers sells it in pieces or in a set. Buy the set as it contains the rubber washer to help protect the deck lid. It is $16 a set. I didn't do anything about the centre pin. Figured I would just see how it sits with the other pieces first.
If you need more info let me know.
:steering:
[Modified by stingry, 10:15 PM 4/24/2003]
I bought the pins that are the same as those used on the softop. $10 each from ecklers. (part # A2716) You also need the Bolt kit for the sides (contains everything for both sides Part # 41972). Ecklers sells it in pieces or in a set. Buy the set as it contains the rubber washer to help protect the deck lid. It is $16 a set. I didn't do anything about the centre pin. Figured I would just see how it sits with the other pieces first.
If you need more info let me know.
:steering:
[Modified by stingry, 10:15 PM 4/24/2003]
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Contributor
Re: A question about vert hardtops... (Blue68)
Thanks to everyone who answered this thread. I just wanted to make sure that there were not any surprises when a top shows up and it won't fit. I like the convertible top look, so there are no plans at all to mount it on the car except for the dragstrip.
Wayne,
I appreciate the offer to try your top on this vette. Being that this thing is a conversion there are a few quirks with latching down the soft-top, so I'll definitely take you up on it. I've still got to get the sidepipes hooked up to the collectors of the Sanderson headers. Can you make any recommendations of any of the muffler shops in Pearland that might do a decent job? I'm going to make a few calls in the morning, but not sure if any of them want to mess with a vette that will be trailered to them and not running.
Wayne,
I appreciate the offer to try your top on this vette. Being that this thing is a conversion there are a few quirks with latching down the soft-top, so I'll definitely take you up on it. I've still got to get the sidepipes hooked up to the collectors of the Sanderson headers. Can you make any recommendations of any of the muffler shops in Pearland that might do a decent job? I'm going to make a few calls in the morning, but not sure if any of them want to mess with a vette that will be trailered to them and not running.