Blue Glass T-Tops not matching
 

When I picked up my car at the tranny shop, I discovered that the drivers side glass T-Top was cracked. Sigh... hard to tell when it happened but I don't recall it being cracked when I dropped it off. I found a replacement in excellent condition, and it's blue to match the original cracked one. Once installed I see that blue 'aint necessarily blue.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...0bd759560e.jpg


Here is the code for the replacement:
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...e88efda54f.jpg


Here is the code for the original passenger side:
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...843bbfb670.jpg


Here is the code for the cracked original driver side:
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...02ddc2dccb.jpg


What do the codes mean?

Notice that the "LOF" (Libby-Owns-Ford) logo is different on the replacement top, than the logo on the other two tops. Your new top is either a newer top, or an original top with replacement glass.

The date code is the two letters (TJ) to the right of the logo. The date on this top appears to be August 91, "T" being August and "J" being 91. I say "appears" because "J" was also for 1978 also, but I'm sure that logo wasn't in use in 78.


This top has the earlier style logo, typically seen on 63-82 original LOF glass. This top is dated October (Y) 80 (Z).


This top also has the correct earlier style logo, and is dated August (T) 80 (Z).


My guess is that they are different shades of blue because of age, fading, variations in manufacturing, the luck of the draw, etc. I've seem plenty of glass tops in different shades of blue or gray.

I have the same problem. Don't know if you would be interested or not but maybe if we were lucky we would have the opposites and could do some trading so that we both would end up with a matching set.

Post some pics Danny, lets check it out.

When I get home from work I'll get some and hopefully it's what we both need

Odd.. because both are laminated glass tops.

1978-1981 early used laminated tops and 1981 Late and 1982 cars used tempered glass. My first thought was that possibly you had one of each but that's not the case. I wonder if the glass isn't just faded from age.

The newer design LOF logo was something that we saw on the "theft" packages GM sold years ago. I've still got one or two of these tops and I'll check it to verify the logo if I can figure out where I stuck them.

I'll tell you Tom would be the perfect guy to chime in on this, he's the 1978 Guru maybe he'll know. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...4cleanair.html

Willcox

I had the same issue, and I believe mine are the reverse.
Broke the passenger side, purchased a replacement "Blue" with all the right codes, but it looks brown or smoke.
I tried for almost a year to find a correct replacement but no luck.
I ended up buying a new replacement pair.

Still have my mis-matched set as well, and I am in the lower mainland BC.

So there are three of us with the same problems.

Kevin can you prop the T's up against the light and shoot some pics?

Where dis you get your replacements? No way to fix the original?

T tops are boxed and in my basement. will take a pic, but likely not until Saturday.

My replacements are not blue, as nobody makes a new blue tops. Mirror on outside, but smoke from the inside.
I will find this invoice at home, but I think it was "The Sunroof Doctor"

I'm not sure which one of yours is more blue but my driver side is the bluer of the two but here are some pics in case

Danny try shooting up through the tops outside in daylight. It's tough to get a sense of color with indoor lighting.

Danny's tops or not the same as yours. His are tempered glass M92A.
Yours are laminated M1131. These are harder to find. I have the same ones on mine.
I'll try to get some pictures later today when the rain stops.

There is a set on EBay posted as like new. $1,595 US
Another set with the passenger side cracked $645 US
plus shipping.

The Blue M1131's are hard to come by.

here are the pics. Blue one has right code and is drivers side
Call me if interested. Kevin 604-341-0256

more pics

Kevin it looks like your tops are the same as mine, dark blue on the driver side and lighter on the passenger side. Dang....

I went to ICBC and the broken top as covered under glass. They tried to find a blue one and when the couldn't I convinced them to pay for a new set less the deductible. Not blue but they match

Why didn't I think of that? I'll check in with them Monday. Thanks.

Hey If you and your 'vette are ever in the Anarchist (Osoyoos) area y'all gotta stop by for a visit. We have a pilots view of the valley... and I'd like to sample another 'vette to see if mine is up to snuff...

We are considering a run up there for the Cactus Jalopies event on June 2,3,4. Not sure yet but will look you up if we are there.

Mine is not perfect by any means, but I think it's alright.