Hardtop: Pics, install questions, opinions wanted!

[Mark Stahl]

Anyone have any good pictures of their midyear with a hard top? Debating on having mine installed, but I doubt car was ever optioned with hardtop. Not sure whether to paint or do vinyl. One more question, on a 64 for hardtop install is it just the two side tabs and header latches that hold top down? On some tops I have seen there have been pins on the back of the top itself. Not sure at all about install, help please! And opinions on paint vs vinyl very much welcome. Oh, car is silver. If vinyl, I would do black, and if I go the paint route, the top would naturally match the car. Opinions welcome! Thanks all, and happy 4th!!Mark

 

[vetzs]

You definitely want to install the top using the bolts that install in the rear deck lid. Without them you run the risk of losing the top. Not to mention the top moving around without the bolts and the potential for paint scratches to the lid. Then there's also a good probabillity of some rattles....

 

[JohnZ]

All the hardware required for the hardtop installation is shown in the C07 section of the assembly manual.

 

[Ol Blue]

63 with hardtop

Mark
Go here for a picture of my 63 with the hardtop on. The car seems much more solid with the hardtop, but I prefer to have the top off.
Ol Blue
http://www.knology.net/~corvettes/63vett.jpg

 

[67HEAVEN]

Mark
Go here for a picture of my 63 with the hardtop on. The car seems much more solid with the hardtop, but I prefer to have the top off.
Ol Blue
http://www.knology.net/~corvettes/63vett.jpg

I love the looks of that car.

 

[Mark Stahl]

Ol Blue --

The car looks awsome!

The hard top changes the entire look of the car. Thanks for the link!!

Mark

 

[Tom Bryant]

I love the looks of that car.

Me too. That is one of my all time favorite Corvette pictures.

 

[maxphunn]

Anyone have any good pictures of their midyear with a hard top? Mark

Mark, here is a pic of my '66 wearing it's hardtop. I put it on for a week each spring and fall. Pat G.

 

[BarryK]

I love the looks of that car.

i'm with you.
everytime I see him post a link to that pic I have to click it. One of my all-time favorite C2 pics.

my buddy just sold his '65 'vert but while he had it, he never took the hardtop off except once or twice a year to put up the softtop for a few days. Other than that he always kept the hardtop on. He much prefered the looks of the car that way. Granted, i'm a little biased towards coupes myself but I do like the look of a HT on a 'vert.

 

[Mark Stahl]

OH boy, Here I go, now I sure do want to put the old hardtop on. Stunning silver car Maxphunn! We are all so lucky to have these cars and a place to share info!

 

[65TripleBlack]

With 1964 hardtop, vinyl was not offered as an option. Believe that first offered in 1967.
All optional hard tops were originally painted body color. Fastening was via the header latches, the two special bolts into the sides of the decklid just aft of the seatbacks, and the two bolts which fit into the holes drilled into the after section of the decklid. These two holes have stiainless bezels with rubber gaskets fitted. A smart option would be to install the hadrtop nuts and bolts in-situ when the hardtop is not being used.
Personally, I like the looks of my car better with the hardtop removed, folding top up or down.

Joe

 

[Ol Blue]

Thanks to you all for such kind words. As 67HEAVEN knows, being the original owner has brought miles of smiles as they say. Until the C6 Z06, there's not really been a Corvette that I've ever wanted as much as I did Ol Blue, although I've always wanted a 57. Heck, lets face it, I want them all!!!

Thanks again, complements from a group of Corvette folks is indeed appreciated.
Ol Blue
PS Here is a picture of my daughter's 72 LT-1 at the same place.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Between that '72 and the silver '66 my head is spinning. Beautiful cars.

 

[vintagecorvette]

Not a great photo but a car I had a couple years ago.

And the one I have now.