68-75 Hardtops
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
From: Newark De
68-75 Hardtops
Good afternoon everyone!! I'm a new member looking for some information.
I'm rebuilding a 74 Convertible and am looking for some info on the optional hardtops. I've heard that the 68's
differ from the 69-75's but I don't know in what way. Also, what's a good price to pay for a top in need of some
work such as a headliner and weatherstripping?
Thank you in advance!!
Tony
I'm rebuilding a 74 Convertible and am looking for some info on the optional hardtops. I've heard that the 68's
differ from the 69-75's but I don't know in what way. Also, what's a good price to pay for a top in need of some
work such as a headliner and weatherstripping?
Thank you in advance!!
Tony
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: 68-75 Hardtops (74L82AirRoadster)
Early '68 hardtops do not have the chrome trim on the tail spears; later 68 and all 69-up tops do. To my knowledge all of them are otherwise the same. I've seen people asking $800-$1200 for these tops, but I don't know if they are selling at that price. You have two ways to go: the painted top or the optional black vinyl covered top. After you've made your choice, you want to look for a top in good condition and as complete as possible. Here's a tip from the AIM which some folks overlook: adjust the door glasses to the hardtop weatherstrip and get a good seal. THEN adjust the weatherstripping on the folding top to seal against the glasses. Good luck.
:)
:)
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 605
Likes: 1
From: Hernando Beach Fl
Re: 68-75 Hardtops (Easy Mike)
These tops are cirrently fetching large dollars in MINT condition. I saw a perfect black vimyl bring 2k one week ago, the collection owner has another also in near perfect condition, if interested I can forward his contact info to you but it will not be cheap
Best of luck
jer
Best of luck
jer
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
From: Newark De
Re: 68-75 Hardtops (74L82AirRoadster)
Thanks for the info guys, I really appreciate it. The top I am currently looking at needs paint, weatherstip and a new headliner, although all the parts are there including the stainless. He was asking $1100.00 which I thought at the time was a little steep. I estimate it will cost about $900.00 restore it. I called Paragon Corvette and they wanted $3000.00 for a core that needed some work where Pro team Corvette advertises them for $300.00 to $650.00. Why the big difference in price, as they all seem to be the same top?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 605
Likes: 1
From: Hernando Beach Fl
Re: 68-75 Hardtops (74L82AirRoadster)
It USUALLY doesn't get more expensive than Paragon, they have the stuff and they price like they know it.
Pro Team has junk and they know it too. if they had perfect you can bet the price would reflect that.
jer
Pro Team has junk and they know it too. if they had perfect you can bet the price would reflect that.
jer
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
From: Newark De
Re: 68-75 Hardtops (74L82AirRoadster)
Tripower
Thanks again for the info. I almost choked when the guy from Paragon gave me that price, and I thought Pro Team sold pretty decent stuff. I'm learning good stuff here already. I think I'm going to try and talk down the local guy here and see what kind of deal we can come up with.
By the way, how long have you lived in Hernando Beach? I used to live in Spring Hill about 12 years ago. I'm sure you've seen a yellow 1972 Monte Carlo running around there. He's a good friend of mine who I come down and visit occasionally.
Thanks again for the info. I almost choked when the guy from Paragon gave me that price, and I thought Pro Team sold pretty decent stuff. I'm learning good stuff here already. I think I'm going to try and talk down the local guy here and see what kind of deal we can come up with.
By the way, how long have you lived in Hernando Beach? I used to live in Spring Hill about 12 years ago. I'm sure you've seen a yellow 1972 Monte Carlo running around there. He's a good friend of mine who I come down and visit occasionally.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 605
Likes: 1
From: Hernando Beach Fl
Re: 68-75 Hardtops (74L82AirRoadster)
Should you get the forum started on Pro Team AGAIN you'll be sorry :D
I have been in Hernando Beach since 87
Honestly don't remember seeing a Yellow Monte but I "miss a lot"
The hardtop can be a costly restoration, much like Corvettes in general, buy cosmetics first because to replicate those prts gets very expensive.
The collection is in St Pete, or what's left of it, should you decide to buy a original black vinyl, perfect I don't even want to be in the middle, not my interest
Let me know, maybe $1500, (guessing)
jer
I have been in Hernando Beach since 87
Honestly don't remember seeing a Yellow Monte but I "miss a lot"
The hardtop can be a costly restoration, much like Corvettes in general, buy cosmetics first because to replicate those prts gets very expensive.
The collection is in St Pete, or what's left of it, should you decide to buy a original black vinyl, perfect I don't even want to be in the middle, not my interest
Let me know, maybe $1500, (guessing)
jer
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
From: Newark De
Re: 68-75 Hardtops (74L82AirRoadster)
Again, thanks for the info about Pro-team, the last thing I need to do is start a war being a new member!!
As for the top, I do appreciate it, but I'll pass for right now. That doesn't sound like a bad deal at all, especially considering what it costs to restore one, but still more than I need to spend right now. I have to get the car mechanically sound, then I'll go for the top and cosmetics.
Sorry you didn't know my friends car, we all used to hang out at Hardee's and Ramshackle's back in the day. I figured it being a small community, you might know the car. I used to drive a white/black striped 70 SS Chevelle if that rings a bell.
Sorry it took me so long to respond, but my computer wouldn't let me log on at work. Take care and thank you again for the information.
Tony Z
As for the top, I do appreciate it, but I'll pass for right now. That doesn't sound like a bad deal at all, especially considering what it costs to restore one, but still more than I need to spend right now. I have to get the car mechanically sound, then I'll go for the top and cosmetics.
Sorry you didn't know my friends car, we all used to hang out at Hardee's and Ramshackle's back in the day. I figured it being a small community, you might know the car. I used to drive a white/black striped 70 SS Chevelle if that rings a bell.
Sorry it took me so long to respond, but my computer wouldn't let me log on at work. Take care and thank you again for the information.
Tony Z
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
Likes: 1
From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Re: 68-75 Hardtops (74L82AirRoadster)
I was lucky to have my car come with the optional vinyl top. If you plan on using it, I would suggest you purchase a static-cling protector for the deck paint. Zip and others sell this for about $24.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
From: Newark De
Re: 68-75 Hardtops (74L82AirRoadster)
BlueL36,
I'll keep that in mind..........unfortunately the current paint on my car is about 16 years old and isn't too good. Once I get the mechanical portion right, I'll give it about a 6 months and then start the cosmetic freshening. Luckily the car isn't in too terrible shape except the paint.
You have a beautiful car and it looks great with the vinyl hardtop!! My dad's first Vette was a 68 blue roadster much like yours. It was only a 350/350 car, and that was way back in 1972! Take care and I'll talk to you soon!!
I'll keep that in mind..........unfortunately the current paint on my car is about 16 years old and isn't too good. Once I get the mechanical portion right, I'll give it about a 6 months and then start the cosmetic freshening. Luckily the car isn't in too terrible shape except the paint.
You have a beautiful car and it looks great with the vinyl hardtop!! My dad's first Vette was a 68 blue roadster much like yours. It was only a 350/350 car, and that was way back in 1972! Take care and I'll talk to you soon!!
