C4 Corvette Hardtop Install
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
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C4 Corvette Hardtop Install
I was at a swap meet this past week and found a C4 hardtop that a guy was selling. I just picked up a low mile '91 vert that needs work and figured I'd buy the top for $650. Top is in good condition but needs paint (i'm painting the car over anyway, so it won't cost anything extra).
The car is at my father's garage, so I haven't had the time to check fitment on the top, but from what I was told about the top and from what I've read online it seems that modifications may be needed?
The guy I bought the top from said he had it on his '86 (i'm not sure what year car it came off of), and that It should bolt right on to any 86-96 corvette. Everywhere I read on the forums say that the tops were made only to fit 89+ vettes and that they would need modification to fit anything earlier. The top doesn't look to be modified in any way. Any idea if it will fit my car or what the story is?
The car is at my father's garage, so I haven't had the time to check fitment on the top, but from what I was told about the top and from what I've read online it seems that modifications may be needed?
The guy I bought the top from said he had it on his '86 (i'm not sure what year car it came off of), and that It should bolt right on to any 86-96 corvette. Everywhere I read on the forums say that the tops were made only to fit 89+ vettes and that they would need modification to fit anything earlier. The top doesn't look to be modified in any way. Any idea if it will fit my car or what the story is?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 349
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From: Clayton CA
The front attaching hardware varies before 89. Its adaptable from 86 to 96. Parts are available, you just need to know what combo you need. The po could have adapted his car to the later top. Then your good to go. If he adapted the top then you are parts hunting.
Team Owner
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http://www.volvette.com/e-top-hardware.html?Per_Page=-1
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Kingman AZ
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You should be fine. I don't really think there is any way to modify an 89-96 convertible hard top to fit an 86-88 convertible. When I retrofit one to my 87 I swapped out the windshield hardware from a later model car.
The rear pins should bolt right into your 91's deck. The B pillar brackets are used to secure the top down to the area behind the seats. You may not have received those brackets though as they will not fit an 86's body without a LOT of modification.
Here is what these look like. I heard somewhere that Ecklers has them:
The hardtop will mount on the body without these B pillar brackets but will not be as secure.
You do realize that you will lose most of the storage area behind the seats unless you completely remove the convertible top and frame from the car. The convertible hardtop on a C4 vert makes it one of the best looking Corvettes ever.
The rear pins should bolt right into your 91's deck. The B pillar brackets are used to secure the top down to the area behind the seats. You may not have received those brackets though as they will not fit an 86's body without a LOT of modification.
Here is what these look like. I heard somewhere that Ecklers has them:
The hardtop will mount on the body without these B pillar brackets but will not be as secure.
You do realize that you will lose most of the storage area behind the seats unless you completely remove the convertible top and frame from the car. The convertible hardtop on a C4 vert makes it one of the best looking Corvettes ever.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
Alright. Thanks for the help everyone. I managed to fit the top to the car without modifications. Although, I am not about to spend big bucks on the rear brackets. Has anybody made their own before? It doesn't look like it'd be too hard to rig something.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Kingman AZ
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I did this to mate a later hardtop to an 87 and I see where others here have done the same.
