Glass T-Tops or not.......

[Chas]

im thinking of getting glass tops for my vette.....but they all are for later models....but do disclaim that with modifications they fit the older c-3's.....can anybody give up there opinion that has done this? i usually have them off but would like the effect of the glass.....also ive seen some tops that have less glass area and the color of the car in a border around the "window" in the center of the top......whats the diffrence there? thats all folks! thanks for the time....

 

[billybob]

vettedude73,

When I bought my baby, it came with a set of glass t's aswell as the original fibers. I loved the look of them and according to my ricer buddies the dark color made the car look lower more aggressive.

Not sure about the lower aspect even thou they even claim its an early blackout technique used when painting.

The tops were old, not sure how old, but heavily scratched and pitted, so I figured I would take them in to see if I could get them rejuvinated at the local auto glass place, then I got the call, upon trying to buff one they cracked it

Now to their credit they did offer to replace the one they broke but due to the age of the other they declined to work on them further.

So it was have a single new and an old new or take the money and run.. I took the money.

I do plan on, in the not so distant future to get another set, but the 2k price tag still shocks me for a non performance mod.

It was a nice added feature, and adds a nice look to the C3's lines under certain color combinations.

Bill

 

[silver 80]

2K!!!!! keep on looking you can find them for around 995 new. I believe they are in CC you can only get them in black like the newer cars have or silver tint like the old ones. If you are looking for blue check out E-bay they sometimes have them in there. Just be aware that if they are the silver or black type you can get them new for about !k.
Tom

 

[Corvette Craig]

Vettedude73

Just a thought.
If I were you I'd contact "ASTRO TOPS"
They replace the glass with a plexiglass type in a dark smoke tint
For around $500.00. They'll send you a completely refurbished set, and you send in yours. I could be wrong but, I don't think it will matter to them that yours are fiberglass tops.

Sorry, but I don't have the web site handy, you'll need to do a search.

 

[smurfvet]

An outfit that advertises in Vette magazine has a "plastic" top which is a one piece unit like the C-4 and 5 lids, specifically for the C-3. I have seriously been considering this, as my head hits the original tops in my car, no matter how I adjust the seat. You gain 2" or so headroom. It is either smoke or blue tint and uses all the original hardware. It was around the mid to high $300's.

It does away with the two seals between the seats, you only have a single perimeter seal. Supposedly it fits behind the rear seats. I'll look in an old copy and find the name.

Don't know how they work though.

 

[Corvette Craig]

Vettedude73 & Smurfvet

Here's the web site your looking for:
www.astrotops.com

This is the place I was reffering too.

They sell the original 1-piece design, and refurbished T-Tops.

Just a note, the 1-piece design is a pretty good idea, but trust me (I own one) it doesn't work well, the seal is very poor.

Smurf, if your looking for one of these, Don't buy new, try e-bay instead, sometimes you can pick one up for less than a hundred bucks.

 

[smurfvet]

Thanks! I appreciate your response.

The idea seems great, but if the seal is poor, I won't be gaining a thing, except a few hundred bucks down the drain.

:bash

 

[Corvette Craig]

Smurf

Funny you used the word DRAIN.
Because that's exactly what you need in the event of rain.
:L :L :L

 

[smurfvet]

Got me!

 

[billybob]

silver 80,

:L I keep forgetting to add the CAN to my dollar amounts where required... heres the break down. The dollar conversion thing and shipping.. the tops are yes about 1k US but after turning that into CAN <ahem> money <chuckle> and then add in shipping and brokerage <free trade my a**> comes out to about 2k.

I think at this point tho I would be worried about getting used tops, glass or otherwise. Where I live it isnt exactly know for its predictable 70+ degree sunny weather And after you factor in what you may have to do to them can add back up to the cost of new.

Bill

 

[GWHITE75]

billybob,vettedude73

I bought used glass tops from a 79 and installed them on my 75 about 10 years ago. If you get all the hardware, it's not hard to convert them.

At last years Vette show, here in Houston, I drank enough Jack Daniels to buy an Astro Top at a reduced price of $260 with vinyl cover.

Corvette Craig is man enough to admit that these one piece tops aren't the best. I agree. They do give you head room, more visibility, are lighter blah, blah, blah, but they don't seal that good. I had to take a piece of 2" black gaffers tape (cloth duct tape) and secure it between the windshield and top to stop air noise and rain from coming in. It did work and looked totally accepatble, but I don't think I need to go to that extent everytime I take it off. At any rate, it is back in the shipping box with cover and all, stored in my attic, with the rest of my Corvette inventory. I ran it for about 2 weeks.

I still like my glass tops, although I did have to put in sun screens I bought from Mid America. They really help to block the sun on 100+ summer days.

 

[Monkeywrench]

When I got my '71 it came with a pair of glass tops (also know as Moonroofs). They were originally intented for 1977 vettes but never made it on them out of the factory. They seal as well as a set of T-Tops on a 30+ year old can can be expected to. I did have to fiddle with the latches and pins to get it snug but now I have no rattles and only the worst downpours cause them to leak.

 

[Chas]

THANKS !!!

I look forward to gettin some glass.....we have a big indoor swap meet this weekend in detroit.....hope to score there.....car parts that is!

 

[smurfvet]

Let me know what you find. I am interested in doing something other than the one piece top now. I will be going to Carslile in the spring (can't make August), and the more info the better.

 

[quickjagg]

re:

Go with the glass t-tops, they look sooo good.
you can get them here for 875+ shipping
http://www.sunroofdoctor.com/6882vettetops.htm

-Chris

 

[resto75]

I have glass tops on my 75 as well. They are the way to go. Mine only leak in bad downpours and not any worse then any other T-Top

 

[Corvette Craig]

Gentlemen,

If your looking for a alternative to the T-Tops, look in your Vette suppliers catalogs for the "RAIN COAT TOP"

I like this top alot. It's a 1-piece heavy canvas that attaches using the stock hardware and velcro. Sells for about $250.00.

The best part, it's easy to remove, and folds in half, making storage a non-issue.

This isn't a "cure" for a bad set of T's, but it's sure nice to have.

 

[Hijinx]

Craig, can you drive at highway speeds with the "RAIN COAT TOP"?

 

[tangee-vette]

The framed glass t-tops you refer to are the Moonroofs. They were originally designed for the 77' model year and were manufactured into the early eighties. They do come up on ebay from time to time. If you get an early set with the dual latches, no need to modify anything. And they were manufactured with G.M. hardware. So, the fit is a great one. I have additional info on these t-tops on my website.

 

[Corvette Craig]

Hijinx

About the Rain Coat top, the manufaturer guarantees it's safe to drive at highway speeds. Keep in mind though, this is a canvas top, and there is some, although slight "flapping" the faster you go. It's a little annoying at first, but you quickly forget it, it's no worse than a convertible top rattle.

IMHO - This is by far the best alternative to the T-Tops, definatly a plus on the days where rain clouds are in the sky. This top folds in half (guessing to about 8" x 20 x 6") and fits right into the case that comes with it, and only weighs about 6 or 7 pounds.

Now that I think about it, I only use the other top(s) in very early spring and late fall, using the canvas top 80% of the time I have ANY top on, which in my case is only 10% of "VETTE SEASON"