convertible question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 1
From: Quincy IL
convertible question
I went and looked at a 89 vert a couple days ago. I was checking it out (making comparisons of it to my 85 and 87 mostly) and noticed the convertible top was not exactly air tight. I don't want to sound like I'm talking down about convertible here... truely not the case. I just noticed that it was a very clean low miles car, and had always wanted a convertible. With the driver side door open, along the side of the door window where it would fit against the soft top there was a place where the top doesn't fit tightly down against the body. The top looked original and in good condition, but it did make me wonder how air tight convertibles are and I would like some experienced feed back.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: VA BEACH VA
I drive an 87 Vert, my wife drives a 99 Camaro SS convertible. We have had at least one convertible in the family for the 40+ years we have been married. They are not as tight as a hardtop and you will get an occasional leak and hear the wind, however, owning and driveing a convertible is worth it.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,650
Likes: 750
From: NEwhere Ohio
I drive an 87 Vert, my wife drives a 99 Camaro SS convertible. We have had at least one convertible in the family for the 40+ years we have been married. They are not as tight as a hardtop and you will get an occasional leak and hear the wind, however, owning and driveing a convertible is worth it.
If there is an issue with it, you can put some dielectric grease on the seal and adjust the drivers side window.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 101
From: Decatur, Alabama
As the owner of 3 89 convertibles...let me say... first what is the condition of the car... otherwords, low mileage original....etc. I have a driver 89 with 69k miles on it, it is not near as air tight as my two 89 low mile ncrs cars with the original top. The driver, which is a very very nice maintained driver, I have replaced all the weatherstrips and couple of times (with GM and the correct procedure) and have had the convertible top replaced. It is fine but I didnt replaced the convertible top "pads" because I was told I didnt need to, and I THINK I replaced the (had the shop) replaced the tension springs. Otherwords, if the top has been replaced, I hope it was done exactly right or it wont be perfect. Next time, I will do it myself or have Al Knoch do it. Maybe drive the car at freeway speeds and have someone drive beside you and see if the top expands upward with wind. Either way, 89's are GREAT cars, even if its not perfect, you'll need a new top and weatherstrip soon enough and you can tweek it then. If you can find a really nice 89 convertible....BUY IT!
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
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Many years ago I had a '69 convertible and I can honestly say the '93 convertible I have now is much better with wind noise and rain but, not perfect. The only "no leak & no wind noise" convertible I've ever owned was Mercedes SL. The Germans know how to make a quiet convertible.
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From: Ventura Co Ca
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,687
Likes: 1
From: Manteca CA
Not latched down all the way is the most likely cause.The latches on my 96 were not adjusted correctly from the factory, the passengers side would not always catch the latch. I readjusted the latch and it has been air tight for the last 14 years.
