Hard top for vert
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 30,427
Likes: 1,609
From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
How much ? Is the top complete with all the hardware/brackets ?
Do you drive your car year round ? I have one and love it. It definitely makes the car stiffer, but it does cut down on the available storage space behind the seats. Mine also sits outside all year so I was worried about snow loads on the soft top.
Do you drive your car year round ? I have one and love it. It definitely makes the car stiffer, but it does cut down on the available storage space behind the seats. Mine also sits outside all year so I was worried about snow loads on the soft top.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 9
From: KB7TIF Ville NV
How much ? Is the top complete with all the hardware/brackets ?
Do you drive your car year round ? I have one and love it. It definitely makes the car stiffer, but it does cut down on the available storage space behind the seats. Mine also sits outside all year so I was worried about snow loads on the soft top.
Do you drive your car year round ? I have one and love it. It definitely makes the car stiffer, but it does cut down on the available storage space behind the seats. Mine also sits outside all year so I was worried about snow loads on the soft top.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 30,427
Likes: 1,609
From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Some years ago, I bought a hardtop for my old "92 'vert. It also needed painting and I was able to get a local custom paint shop to match the Polo Green paint and do a great job for around $450.
I think the best thing about the factory hardtop is that it will stiffen the 'vert body to the point where it's actually stiffer than the coupe. That's due to the integral "halo bar" and the b-pillar brackets that creates a bar very similar to that of the coupe. The X-brace under the car helps too.
I also found that the hardtop does a good job of reducing interior resonance especially from performance cat-back exhaust systems. The car will be quieter inside because of the fiberglass top and insulation. Not as much humidity inside either. The convertible top won't get wet.
The downside is the loss of storage space (a good 25%) because you have to lower the 'vert top. But for extended use of the hardtop, you can remove the entire convertible top assembly. Another downside is that the opening behind the seats is much smaller because the top storage lid cannot be opened.
