C1 Convertable top frames

[IH2LOSE]

I never got around to restoring my convertable top frame. I recently seen that Cranes Corvettes is advertizing reproduction tops on ebay for 1700.00 powder coated

I called Paragon Reproductions and they advertize a service to restore convertable frames for 1200 to 1400 to also powder coat and all new hardware.

When I did my 66s top.I sandblasted the bare frame and re painted it with a semi gloss black and always regretted not really restoring the frames hardware.

So now I am faced with some choices.
1-order the restoration hardware from paragon and hope i can set the rivits my self and have it work well.
2- ship my top to paragon and pay them to do it
3-Purchase a replacement top from cranes and then sell my original on ebay for 1400 to 2200 (thats what I have seen them go for )


Has anybody heard anything good or bad about the cranes tops ?

 

[John Mcgraw]

Larry,

I can let you know in a week or two! I ordered a top from David Thursday.
I robbed the top assy out of the 59 to complete my 60 several years ago, and don't have one. I bought his complete top minus the fabric and pads since I am putting a stay-fast top on it. It came down to his top or Coffman's, and I have bought from him before and am confident that he will do whatever is necessary to make it right, if there is a problem.


Regards, John McGraw

 

[IH2LOSE]

Larry,

I can let you know in a week or two! I ordered a top from David Thursday.
I robbed the top assy out of the 59 to complete my 60 several years ago, and don't have one. I bought his complete top minus the fabric and pads since I am putting a stay-fast top on it. It came down to his top or Coffman's, and I have bought from him before and am confident that he will do whatever is necessary to make it right, if there is a problem.


Regards, John McGraw

Thanks John I will wait untill I here from you on this.I just ordered My stayfast/hartz top from Al Knock and I also requested the top taps in the same material

 

[John Mcgraw]

Larry,

What did Al charge you for a top made of Stay-fast material? I have been looking, and there are alot of people offering the C1 top in Stay-Fast, but I would prefer to use Al unless he is not even in the ballpark on price.
Also, I would think that making the top tabs out of Stay-fast would look out of place. The only time you see the tabs is when the top is folded down and out of sight, and I think that material that matches the seat fabric would be a better choice. Just my $.02


Regards, John McGraw

 

[IH2LOSE]

John I do all of my business with Al Knoch thru Paragon Reproductions.My price for my top thru them is $380.00 with pads and top tabs.I just never thought of the fact that the top tabs will not match the seats.I will call them on tuesday to canel the top tabs and have the seat guy do it.


Even though I can sometimes go to a vendor direct,I always purchase thru paragon reproductions,they treat me so well its worth it to me.Sometimes I am able to purchase cheaper thru them because of a discount they exstend to me.

I think the reagular price for the vynl top was only 220 plus the pads.Last time I priced out a hartz top was for my deville and just for the top it was in excess of 900.00 so to me it sounded like a bargin.

 

[vette]

John. Let me know what you think of the repo top frame. I was going to buy one from Coffman. He gave me the best price. I just want to know how well they fit. A guy I know in Calif. has used them a few times and told me they fit and work great. I can't see me buying a top frame and restoring it when I can buy the new one for less than the orig. top before it is restored. I also want a stay fast top but I'm not sure I can get a light blue that is close to the orig. blue. I still need to call Al. and see if threr is anything he can do.