I also have a '99 vert with the original top. Mine's a bit of a garage queen, and I use Ragg Topp to keep the top in as good condition as I can. However, I will probably have to replace the top in a couple of years. I've read that later year C-5's (maybe 2001 and later?) have a better top than was used on the early versions of the C-5. Is that true? If so, what's the difference? And will the later year top fit the '99? Thanks for your help.

 

2001 - Convertible top noise was reduced with better weather stripping and a new, double-thickness twill material. Noise in all models was reduced by addition of an expandable foam baffle inside the lower lock pillar.

 

Has anyone run across a thread and/or site that provides a good analysis of after market options? When it comes time for me to make a change, I want to improve on the OEM top if possible as well as obtaining a custom color.

I plan to get the top professionally installed, however I'm curious which company offers the best value. Not necessarily, the lowest cost.

 

I have done a bit of research on our tops as mine really needs to be replaced. Here is what I know now:

1. Our tops are die cut and are different than a standard tops that can be stretched and adjusted.

2. Our tops are a pain to install

3. An OEM quality top from a vendor like convertibletop.net costs about $500.00.

4.Labor on installation should run about $5-600.00

This is the OEM Vinyl Sailcloth material: http://www.haartz.com/en/products/co...le_texture.asp

This is the OEM cloth:http://www.haartz.com/en/products/co...illfast_mc.asp

Although there are probably other top manufacturers, Robins is the most common and as far as I can tell is the actual OEN manufacturer for the Corvette. Here is the info from their site.

2058 1998-04 Corvette C5 Top with Heated Glass Window. Glass Heat-sealed into top as original. Toppings
made with original style cloth binding, die cut plastic reinforcements and elastic straps.
957L 1998-99 Corvette C5 Headliner. Made with original style plastic extrusions. (HL VLB).
958L 2000-04 Corvette C5 Headliner. Made with original style plastic extrusions. (HL VLB).
CABLES 2058 1998-04 Corvette C5 Side Tension Cables.

Original Topping for 2058 from 1998-2002: Black, 2090 Light Oak and 2497 Med. Neutral, Haartz Twillfast cloth with black dobby backing; Bright White/Black Sailcloth double texture vinyl.
From 2003-04: Black and 2497 Med. Neutral, Haartz Twillfast MC cloth with black dobby backing; Bright White/Black Sailcloth double texture vinyl.

http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/chevrolet.php

I am not endorsing Robins and they are not a vendor here on the forum. I am just presenting this FYI.

For as much effort as we go through in only putting a cretain oil in our cars and such, unless you are looking for a custom color, I'd go with OEM.

Anyone who makes a top that will fit, will use a die to cut the material so they will essentially all be exactly the same. If it is not die cut, dont get it.

The only other difference will be the material and the installer. I believe Haartz is the German manufacturer mentioned earlier and is the OEM fabric. I would not spend this much money experimenting on other materials unless you had a ton of experience like kmcoldcars.

just my .05

We only have one installer in our area and he does all of the insurance and dealer work on verts. I have a friend with a vert mustang that he did. It was pretty impressive. I talked to him about the top and he told me that of all of the OEM tops he installs, ours is one of the toughest to get right. Choose wisely, saving a couple hundred dollars isn't worth it.

I have seen threads on the forum with some real nightmare installs.

This is the robins distributor finder page, may even be some forum vendors on that list:
http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/distributors.php#2

 

Thanks for the information. It seems like Robbins may be the safest alternative, however I'm concerned that the back window is not stitched in. The OEM heat seal is one of the most common failures with our tops and if I'm going to invest in a new one, I would like to improve and prevent this failure from ever happening. As mentioned, I would also like to go with a custom gray vs. the OEM black as I have now. Does Robbins allow custom color choices? I'm fine with order a similar fabric, I'm just wanting a custom gray color and a stitched window. Something I noticed the German manufacturer providers for other high end cars like Porsche, Ferrari., etc.

 

If it's stitched in, do you have to go with a plastic? Not sure how a glass window would be stitched in. If it's plastic, I would be concerned with the hazing. Post up when you pull the trigger, I'd be interested to hear how it goes.

 

[QUOTE=RJRSW;1575658019]Thanks. I checked them out and they seem to offer some nice color options. They appear to run their own manufacturing process based on the original GM cut/design/material. Below is a swatch to their colors. I'm thinking their "Titan Gray" would look nice with my MSG.

 

[QUOTE=03WhiteConv;1575665308]I have done a bit of research on our tops as mine really needs to be replaced.
The only other difference will be the material and the installer. I believe Haartz is the German manufacturer mentioned earlier and is the OEM fabric. QUOTE]

Haartz is NOT the German manufacturer. They are a USA company. The German brands are Happick and Sonnenland.

 

I have heard a few horror stories also. I guess you could always look at one of the the Stealerships but they typically dont warranty their work for very long (gee, i wonder why?)

I wonder what gmparts direct charges?

 

Sonnenland is a trademarked product of Haartz and one of their outfits is in Manheim, Germany although they are headquartered in the US.

http://www.haartz.com/en/products/co...enland_A53.asp

Happich is a German company and they primarily do the tops for Mercedes Benz. Their fabric is different than the Haartz and might have a slightly longer lifespan. In my opinion, most of the wear problems on vert tops is due to improper care vs inferior materials

If you look at the next page and mouse over the products you will see that Haartz is an OEM supplier for US and European cars like Audi, BMW, Astin Martin, Maserati, Jaguar, Porsche, Volvo, Volkswagen and Saab.

http://www.haartz.com/en/products/co...le_topping.asp

I would think that for a driver or average garage queen the Haartz fabrics would be more than enough.

[QUOTE=Kmcoldcars;1575669792]

 

I have an 87 C4 and I'm getting ready to redo the top. I actually have a question. I've seen some other tops around and I've noticed that the frame bars are pretty noticeable through the top. I know I need the Haartz cloth top since thats what my vette originally came with. I was wondering if there's a part, or a liner, or foam that goes between the top and frame so you dont see the frame bars through the top.

 

Still got it ?
.

 

I'd look for a good used one from a recycler.