1990 hardtop help
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 513
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From: Hills of Tennessee TN
1990 hardtop help
I usually on the C5 board but I have a friend with a 1990 that asked for some help. He doesn't do computers so here I am.
He has a 1990 convertible and wants to buy a hardtop. Could you C4 savvy guys tell us what years of hardtop will fit the 1990?
Thanks in advance for your help!
He has a 1990 convertible and wants to buy a hardtop. Could you C4 savvy guys tell us what years of hardtop will fit the 1990?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The factory hardtop was introduced in 1989 (RPO CC2) and that option was available thru the 1996 model year. So any factory hardtop will fit.
Make sure you get the two steel attaching brackets that hold the hardtop halo bar to the convertible B-pillars. These brackets are what provides the solid mounting to the car and when the hardtop is mounted with these brackets, the convertibel will be slightly stiffer than the coupe.
Make sure you get the two steel attaching brackets that hold the hardtop halo bar to the convertible B-pillars. These brackets are what provides the solid mounting to the car and when the hardtop is mounted with these brackets, the convertibel will be slightly stiffer than the coupe.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,427
Likes: 603
From: Minneapolis Mn
One other thing I've read, assuming it's used. If it comes off an older car, I've read where people can change the mounts and they'll work on older C4's but the mounts will no longer line up.
Just a thought on something to also check before purchasing.
Just a thought on something to also check before purchasing.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
And because the factory hardtop was not offered for the 86-88 convertibles, those cars do not have the steel plates on the inside of the B-pillars to attach the hardtop's side brackets. Some years ago, there was a retrofit kit you could install, but it required welding plates to the inside of those pillars. And the early decklid latches did not have a provision for the encapsulated bolts at the rear of the hardtop.
It's not a good idea to mount the factory hardtop without the steel side brackets
The hardtop is not flexible and any twisting of the car's body could tear out the rear decklid brackets. The hardtop has locating pins and the encapsulated bolts are what attached the rear pins to the brackets. (the bolt will need a 10mm ratcheting wrench.
