Convertible back window came out
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Convertible back window came out
What luck! While washing my vette yesterday the back window seperated from the top. I took it the local dealer and they said it couldn't be repaired, I would have to buy a new top. Does anyone know if this can be repaired or has this happened to anyone else. I did a search and got nothing. It is a glass rear window that appears to be bonded to the canvas top.
This forum is great. I've gotten alot of information here.
98 Black Convertible
This forum is great. I've gotten alot of information here.
98 Black Convertible
Last edited by blackvert; Oct 5, 2004 at 05:59 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Greenville SC
Happened to me with my '95, also. Dealer (and also another independent top specialist) told me the same thing. I had some stuff that I'd gotten at AutoZone, but didn't have a chance to try it.
Ending up trading for an '04. The dealer had the car for a day or so, then when I stopped by (about two weeks later) - there sat my old car with a new top - so they must have believed it couldn't be fixed, either..
Good luck. A new top costs about $1.6-2K, soooooo....
JCR_Indy
Ending up trading for an '04. The dealer had the car for a day or so, then when I stopped by (about two weeks later) - there sat my old car with a new top - so they must have believed it couldn't be fixed, either..
Good luck. A new top costs about $1.6-2K, soooooo....
JCR_Indy
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by JCR_Indy
Happened to me with my '95, also. Dealer (and also another independent top specialist) told me the same thing. I had some stuff that I'd gotten at AutoZone, but didn't have a chance to try it.
Ending up trading for an '04. The dealer had the car for a day or so, then when I stopped by (about two weeks later) - there sat my old car with a new top - so they must have believed it couldn't be fixed, either..
Good luck. A new top costs about $1.6-2K, soooooo....
JCR_Indy
Ending up trading for an '04. The dealer had the car for a day or so, then when I stopped by (about two weeks later) - there sat my old car with a new top - so they must have believed it couldn't be fixed, either..
Good luck. A new top costs about $1.6-2K, soooooo....
JCR_Indy
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 327
Likes: 1
From: Canada
You could check here:convertible tops
Have not seen their products but they sound good and seem to be reasobly priced.
Have not seen their products but they sound good and seem to be reasobly priced.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 8
From: spring Grove illinois
Check with a place that does convertible tops! I have seen kits to replace the plastic windows on the older verts with glass rear windows!! I would think that they would be able to also get a replacement window for your car. I saw this in an article in Vette magazine about a year ago. Hope this is of some help. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
If the tops in good shape other than the window, I'd try a glue that's waterproof and works on glass and fabric to fix it myself, before I'd buy a new one. Corvette Centeral has replacement tops for $579. 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
When I was in Bowling Green the store across from the museum "Art's Corvettes" I think. They were trying to re-install a window in one. Now I wish I had returned to see if they were successful. They were using a silicone adhesive. You would thing it should be repairable. Keep us posted.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 6
From: Saraland Alabama
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
What is it bonded with to start with?
I would try to find out what the factory used to bond the glass to the canvas when it was made. Often bonding agents fail with time. Whatever was used could be scraped off and new applied and it should be as good as new.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,118
Likes: 122
From: Madison (Huntsville) Alabama
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
The dealer might charge the customer $2K for a new top, but their real cost to themselves is significantly lower. They weren't out much to spruce up your trade-in, plus they had a selling incentive to tout. And ... I'm sure you got less for your trade than you would've with a good window.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,326
Likes: 0
From: Taylor TX
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I've heard of some people having success using adhesives, etc.......the question is for how long it lasts.
The glass is ultrasonic welded into the top. No upholstery place can fix that.
I'd pony up for a new top. Be sure to check the parts section. Maybe even call Gene @ Karshop for a used one in mint condition.
The glass is ultrasonic welded into the top. No upholstery place can fix that.
I'd pony up for a new top. Be sure to check the parts section. Maybe even call Gene @ Karshop for a used one in mint condition.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I found an upholstery shop that said he could fix my top/window. I dropped it off this morning and just called to see how it's going. I was told it looked as if it's working but because it is cloudy and cool he wanted to keep it over night. This is just $70 and a new top is $750, I figured this is worth a try.
Thanks for all the input from everyone.
Thanks for all the input from everyone.
