Can anyone tell me if the optional convertible hardtop was available for all years from 1991 - 1996? Also, can the hardtop be purchased as an aftermarket item for these years... In looking at vettes for sale there doesn't appear to be many 91 - 96 cars with this option available for sale.

 

The CC2 hardtop option first appeared in 1989 and was available thru 1996. Hardtops will turn up occasionally in the C4 Parts For Sale section and also on eBay. You can expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $1500 depending on condition.

The number of hardtop options sold by year varies widely. For example, in 89 there were 1573 'verts sold with them and in 96, only 462. Some hardtops may have been purchased as a dealer-installed item (over $3000 for a complete kit!) so there could be actually more tops around than the number actually ordered as a factory option.

 

Thanks... :seeya

 

c4cruiser is right on with his info :cheers: To expand a bit, the non-optioned cars ('86 to '88) can be retrofitted to accept tops, but there are some issues to deal with. Or, if you prefer, you could look into aftermarket top manufacturers........good luck! :cheers:

 

Pretty much agree with all the comments above. I found my top on EBay. As long as it is for a C4 it should fit any 91-96 vert. Be prepared to purchase the following:

Left & Right brackets (GM item)

10 special bolts to attach the brackets to the car & top to the brackets (GM item)

Offset 5/16 ratcheting box wrench (Sears, etc)

Special ratchet for the header bolts & bracket bolts, which are already on the car. (Ecklers, MAD, etc.)

FYI-

1. Do not even attempt to drive the car with only the 2 front and 2 rear bolts attached. When you hit a bump the hardtop will try to separate fromt the car. You need to use the brackets.

2. With the brackets installed you cannot raise/lower the soft top. Overall it takes about 1/2 hour to install the hardtop so be sure you want the top on for more than a day or so.

The good news is that the hardtop makes a huge improvement in the structural integrity & ride of a C4 vert so it may be hard to go back to having the top down.

Corvette America has one for sale for $1999.99 ready to paint plus another $179-299 additional for a glass or glass/defrost back window.

Good luck! :steering:

 

I think the $1999 top from Corvette America is the SmoothLine top. It is not the OEM version. All OEM tops had a glass window with defogger and the integral roof support bar. That bar and the steel attaching brackets is what really stiffens up the vert chassis.

When anybody considers buying a used OEM top, they need to make sure they are getting the 2 attaching brackets, the 10 bolts (2 of them have a smaller washer than the others!) and the slide-in protector for the rear decklid. The OEM ratchet with the T-40 driver and the ratcheting wrench is a plus, but they can be purchased either through the catalogs or buy a ratching box wrench and get a T40 long 1/4" drive extension from Snap-On.

Another tip-- With the hardtop installed, make sure you don't hit the deck lid release button! That sucker will rattle and you have to take the top off to latch it again. You can disconnect the solenoin connectors to make sure.

Another thing about a vert that didn't come with a factory hardtop is that there is no ground wire for the hardtop defogger. The hot lead is on the passenger side next to the forward folding top hinge taped to the wire loom just under the carpet. It should be a 12 gauge orange wire about 6" long. You can fabricate a ground lead for the other side and attach it to the shoulderbelt mounting tower. The defogger works off of the heated mirror button.

 

Actually, it should fit any 89-96 convertible, since the hardtop became an option starting on 1989 convertibles. 1986-1988 convertibles require a retro fit kit.

 

Another thing about a vert that didn't come with a factory hardtop is that there is no ground wire for the hardtop defogger. The hot lead is on the passenger side next to the forward folding top hinge taped to the wire loom just under the carpet. It should be a 12 gauge orange wire about 6" long. You can fabricate a ground lead for the other side and attach it to the shoulderbelt mounting tower. The defogger works off of the heated mirror button.

C4cruiser,

This is one question I have had since I got my hardtop a few mnths ago: How can if tell if me defroster is working?

I have the 2 connectors on the hardtop connected to the connecters behind the seats. Are you saying there is another connection I need to make?

I appreciate any insight you can give me! Thanks and Happy Turkey Day :)

 

According to my owner's manual, the heated mirror button on the standard heater/AC system operates both the mirrors and hardtop defogger. The Automatic Climate Control system panel apparently has two versions. If your mirror heat button (next to the fan speed switches has a pic shaped like the mirror housing it will NOT operate the hardtop defogger. If that pic is square, that version will operate both the mirrors and hardtop defogger. I have the CC systesm with the square pic. Why there were two versions of that panel is strange. A wiring diagram of the head unit might explain and it could very well be that the connectors on the one type head unit does not have a slot for a cable that would power a specific relay. There is a relay that automatically shuts off the mirror heat after 10 minutes.

If the two wire on the hardtop are connected to the wires from the body, that is the only connections to be made. The defogger should feel a little warm to the touch.

Depending on the A/C head unit you have, did you check for voltage at the hot (orange) lead?? Also checl for continuity between the hardtop's defogger leads. Check the ground lead for continunity also. The outside mirror defogger button also operates the hardtop defogger when installed. Chek for a blown fuse.

 

Lots of good info here! IMHO the hardtop is a great option.

The previous owner of my car lost the hardtop brackets so I've just been using the windshield bolts and decklid bolts, nothing bad has happened yet *crosses fingers* :leaving:

I hear they are still available from Chevy, so they are on the "list" of things to be replaced.

 

Scary...

:seeya