I'm going to be replacing the convertible top on my 89 very shortly. Looks like Corvette Central has decent prices, but I'm not sure what the difference is going to be between the Stafast cloth and the 'original vinyl' ??? What about fit/finish? Has anyone purchased either from CC?

I'm not doing an all out 'concourse' type resto, just want something that doesn't look cheap. Currently I've got a tired old cloth material top, so I'm not sure how 'vinyl' will look?

thoughts, other suppliers to check out?

thanks,

C.

 

Assuming that your top is black, the car came with a Hartz Stayfast top. This is not the same as vinyl. You can get a Stayfast top at Ecklers, Corvette Central and others for about $350 or so. However, the window date code and manufacturer will not be correct. You can get an original replacement top with the correct window markings and date code from Al Koch Interiors for something in the $450 range http://www.alknochinteriors.com/welcome.htm

While you may not care about keeping the car original right now, you may in the future and to not have a correct top with the proper date codes may turn out to be a $1000+ mistake when you consider the cost of professional installation.

FWIW

 

Does it really require a professional installer? Are there special tools involved or ?

 

For me, I'd say yes, but I do not know how good of an upholsterer you are. Seems to me that it is a pretty important job to tackle if you have not done it before.

 

I replaced the top on my '86 two years ago. I had planned on doing the job myself, but after looking into the process and the tools needed, I went with an upholstery shop. I chose a vinyl top. If I could do it over again I'd buy cloth. Cloth has a richer look, and it lays better than vinyl when folded.

 

Shouldn't require any actual 'upholstry' work though should it? Is there sewing involved? My understanding was that this is a simple replacement piece... maybe I'm missing something here.

 

This article explains the process pretty well, I did mine about a year ago and was very happy with the results but it does take patience and time.
http://www.corvettefever.com/techart...ent/index.html


Also I just sent the installation video I had to another forum member blown383c4. if you pm him he may pass the video on I think he put his top on last week. Good luck
ps If you decide to do it pm me and I let you know where I got my top, nice price and looks good.

 

Oh, I'm doing it! Just doing my homework. BTW, nice car man! very clean...

 

Nice, Rich653. Smooth, no ripples or wrinkles. Looks like factory. GOOD JOB.

 

Great job, Rich. WELL DONE !

 

Doing the top and headliner on my '94. Purchased the top from Ecklers which is an EZ On Top. Have the old top off which was easier that I thought. Thought if I could get the old top off without much problem would make the decision to have a shop put on the new top easier. (got quotes from $500 - $700 to put the new one on). I am going to put the new top on myself. rich653 (nice job by the way) is right that the corvette fever article is very helpful. Also a video is a good idea as well. You do not need to do any sewing and you do not have to remove the frame from the car. There is some triming in the rear so the the weather stripping fits in the channel. You will also need to by new weather striping especially the rear bow. I got mine from Wilcox (a forum member and supporter). The weather stripping from Wilcox is excellent quality and the best price I could find. (quality + price = value). Will post pictures when done. Good luck with your project.