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[C2] Identify C2 corvette top latch

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Old Jun 15, 2026 | 08:22 PM
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Default Identify C2 corvette top latch

I have a C2 right side top latch that I have for sale but someone contacted me and said it was different than his right side latch so i checked it against my 1966 convertible and it is different for left and right . I know it is right side because the numbers on the back are KBC 19645 RH . But i can't figure out the difference from mine unless this latch is for the fiberglass hardtop. If that is the case what are they worth ? I have heard that they cost more than the convertible style .



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Old Jun 15, 2026 | 08:34 PM
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BJ,
It appears that a "new" reproduction is around $186.00. Someone looking for an original may pay more for yours.

https://www.zip-corvette.com/63-67-c...ont-latch.html
63-67 Convertible Top/Hard Top Front Latch
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Old Jun 15, 2026 | 09:30 PM
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Default C2 Corvette top latch

The one that you show has two beveled bolt holes and mine has two slotted holes with ridges . I can't find any information on this design and what it fits .
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Old Jun 15, 2026 | 09:34 PM
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It looks similar to a earlier (56-62?) hardtop latch.
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Old Jun 15, 2026 | 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by dynodonh
It looks similar to a earlier (56-62?) hardtop latch.
I was thinking the same thing but aren't they supposed to have shorter handles? The handle is the same length as my 1966 convertible both left and right .
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Old Jun 15, 2026 | 09:44 PM
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no help at all, I found another one like it for sale, probably misidentified?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/362731095186

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Old Jun 15, 2026 | 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by jforb
no help at all, I found another one like it for sale, probably misidentified?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/362731095186
Yah you are right, that doesn't make sense . My 66 convertible has two beveled holes and no ridges.
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Old Jun 15, 2026 | 11:35 PM
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According to Trim Parts it's for a '56-'62 Corvette. It matches the slotted screw holes and has the series of ridges.


Last edited by barkingrats; Jun 15, 2026 at 11:36 PM.
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Old Jun 15, 2026 | 11:45 PM
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The C1 latch handle is straight from side to side, the later one curves side to side.

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Old Yesterday | 05:06 AM
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That is a 56-62 latch. You are missing the "adjuster plate". https://www.corvettecentral.com/1956...latches-541018
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Old Yesterday | 06:21 AM
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Interesting. I have a new pair like the first photos in this post. I have been trying to figure out exactly what they fit and this weekend I compared them with a 63 64 and 65 Corvette convertible and they differed in the base plate area. Base plate on yours and mine are a much more severe angle than the originals that I saw on these three cars. I’m not sure if these were a later issue or exactly why the difference. I suspect they would bolt on an original top and work correctly
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Old Yesterday | 07:58 AM
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You have C1, 56-62 latches. ONLY the 56-62 uses a two piece latch for adjustment. The serrated teeth, are under a smooth "face plate adjuster". There is a different latch for the hardtop and the soft top (the header angle is different). There were some early reproductions had a "longer handle), like the midyear cars. The new reproductions have the short handle, and are correct..
This is NOT a 63-67 latch. The 63-67 cars use the same latch (left and right) for the hardtop and the soft top. There is no adjuster plate, and the top of the latch is smooth, with countersunk holes for the screws. The adjustment is a floating plate inside the header of those cars.

OK, one more time. What you have is a 56-62 top latch, with no adjuster plate. (you can buy those separately). This will not work on a 63-67 cars.

Look at Leif's picture above......THAT is a 63-67 latch, hardtop or soft top.

Last edited by mike coletta; Yesterday at 07:59 AM.
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Old Yesterday | 08:02 AM
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My thanks to everyone . It appears according to the last posts that these are late C1 latches because they are definitely different than my 66 convertible and the handles don't go straight up , they go on an angle and the bases have more of an angle to match the curve on the C1 windshield . I will put it in the C1 for sale section to see if anyone needs it . Thanks again
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Old Yesterday | 08:10 AM
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Originally Posted by mike coletta
You have C1, 56-62 latches. ONLY the 56-62 uses a two piece latch for adjustment. The serrated teeth, are under a smooth "face plate adjuster". There is a different latch for the hardtop and the soft top (the header angle is different). There were some early reproductions had a "longer handle), like the midyear cars. The new reproductions have the short handle, and are correct..
This is NOT a 63-67 latch. The 63-67 cars use the same latch (left and right) for the hardtop and the soft top. There is no adjuster plate, and the top of the latch is smooth, with countersunk holes for the screws. The adjustment is a floating plate inside the header of those cars.

OK, one more time. What you have is a 56-62 top latch, with no adjuster plate. (you can buy those separately). This will not work on a 63-67 cars.

Look at Leif's picture above......THAT is a 63-67 latch, hardtop or soft top.
OK Mike your comments came after I made my last comment . I was thinking that it was a later production but it has the longer handle same as my 66 so it is an early production but according to the numbers can you tell me anything about aftermarket or reproduction ? #KBC19645 RH
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Old Yesterday | 09:20 AM
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Originally Posted by bj1k
OK Mike your comments came after I made my last comment . I was thinking that it was a later production but it has the longer handle same as my 66 so it is an early production but according to the numbers can you tell me anything about aftermarket or reproduction ? #KBC19645 RH
I don’t know anything about the numbers. What I do remember, is that back in the eighties/90s, there were no short handle C1 latches available. I’m not sure if it was a Chevrolet produced part or whether it was a reproduction aftermarket part, but the only latches you could buy was a long handle latch that would fit a C1 car. They would NOT work with a hard top. They would push up the canvas when the the top was up and latched. They would NOT pass judging, but it was all that was available unless you found a good set of originals . I used plenty of them back in the day, and they work fine. You shouldn’t have any trouble selling them.
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Old Yesterday | 11:28 AM
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so, the correct answer is it's a faulty part that doesn't really fit anything? which would explain why that's what's on my 62




Last edited by jforb; Yesterday at 11:39 AM.
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Old Yesterday | 11:29 AM
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So both sets of my latches in the photo are 56 to 62. Are they the same for the soft top as the hard top?

sorry I didn’t mean to hijack the thread. I’m just trying to clarify the parts that I have
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To Identify C2 corvette top latch

Old Yesterday | 12:04 PM
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1962 owners manual, looks like mine




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Old Yesterday | 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by jforb
so, the correct answer is it's a faulty part that doesn't really fit anything? which would explain why that's what's on my 62
Originally Posted by 1963GrayGray
So both sets of my latches in the photo are 56 to 62. Are they the same for the soft top as the hard top?
sorry I didn’t mean to hijack the thread. I’m just trying to clarify the parts that I have
Guys, go back up and read Mike Coletta's post:
Originally Posted by mike coletta
You have C1, 56-62 latches. ONLY the 56-62 uses a two piece latch for adjustment. The serrated teeth, are under a smooth "face plate adjuster". There is a different latch for the hardtop and the soft top (the header angle is different). There were some early reproductions had a "longer handle), like the midyear cars. The new reproductions have the short handle, and are correct..
This is NOT a 63-67 latch. The 63-67 cars use the same latch (left and right) for the hardtop and the soft top. There is no adjuster plate, and the top of the latch is smooth, with countersunk holes for the screws. The adjustment is a floating plate inside the header of those cars.

OK, one more time. What you have is a 56-62 top latch, with no adjuster plate. (you can buy those separately).

Last edited by barkingrats; Yesterday at 01:10 PM.
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Old Yesterday | 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by 1963GrayGray
So both sets of my latches in the photo are 56 to 62. Are they the same for the soft top as the hard top?

sorry I didn’t mean to hijack the thread. I’m just trying to clarify the parts that I have
soft top and hard top are different. The angle when it mounts will not lineup correctly with the hook if you have them on the wrong top.
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