Hardtop Storage

[bobmanx]

C2 Hardtop Storage

What is the recommended way to store a C2 removable hardtop so it does not get damaged, when it is not on the car for extended periods of time? Any suggestions?
Thanks Bob

 

[Denney]

Bob, I would suggest getting a soft cover for it and putting it in the basement...

 

[bobmanx]

Denney, I was planning on a cover, But it will end up in the garage, I'm in So. Cal. and home builders here dont know what a basement is. LOL
So the best that I can hope for is a place in the house, big closet and covered, or protected with a cover and stored in the garage. Is there a recomended way to position it? (standing up, back lip, like the storage caddy in the catalogs, suspended from the rafters, Or?)
Thanks Bob

 

[00fxd]

I thought I had seen an attachment from a supplier to suspend it from your garage roof in a catalogue.

 

[Denney]

Bob, I ~believe~ the best method to store the hardtop is in one of those racks they sell (where they stand tilted on end). I would be somewhat afraid of hanging it for a long period of time (and possibly risk some form of warping). Having seen first hand (not mine, luckily) what happens to an unsupported mid-year front end after several years, it is amazing how much sag develops. On the other hand, if it is internally reinforced, it might be fine to hang as well. Probably the most important factor is the covering so that it doesn't get scratced/banged up.

 

[ChuckG]

I have a hardtop for both my 63 and my 69. Keep them both in the basement, leaning against the furnace, one "inside" the other. They're "standing up" with the decklid rear lip on the floor on an old rug. I've had no problem storing them this way. They are a PIA until you need/want them No basements in California??? Didn't know that. Chuck

 

[bobmanx]

Usually, no basements, they dont need them here, (contractors claim) besides that would require that the house was built stronger. Out here in So. Cal. they pour a concrete slab and go up from there. Only the people from the rest of the US. ask for a basement when they build a new house out here. lol

I was considering standing up, on a piece of foam, leaning against a wall in the garage, covered and a small rope to keep it from falling over. Sort of like the hardtop holders that are sold in the catalogs. Wasnt sure if this was the preferred way of storing it until you are forced to put it on the car again. LOL
Thanks Bob

 

[58Mike]

We don't have basements because we don't have as much freezing. Generally you want your pipes and foundation below the frost line (I think that's the term). Pipes for obvious reasons. Foundations because since freezing expands water (that's why ice floats), the constant contractions and retractions would wreak havok on a slab poured on the surface.

The drag is, many of us here want basements anyway. But since they're so uncommon, they're much more expensive to put in than elsewhere. I'm sure in colder areas, there are contractors who specialize in digging basements. I don't know of any here.

- Mike Greene

 

[Charlie '64]

Hi, gotta question about the top storage. I've got mine in the garage standing up on the deck lid end. A friend of mine who's ownde several mid yrs. claims over time this will cause the top to warp, so I was considering hanging it up. Someone else here mentioned hanging it up may cause it to warp. I'm getting confused ( short trip for me). Any other ideas? Thanks!!

 

[Erik S. Klein]

Hard Top Storage

Will these help:

Hard Top Trolly

Hard Top Hoist

Rigid Hard Top Hoist

BTW, the worst things about California housing (besides the price) are cantilever garage doors, shake roofs and the lack of basements.

 

[bobmanx]

I wasnt thinking about hanging it, but storing it in the garage, covered and secured to keep it from moving if the ground does. Being in SoCal. it seems to move when you have something that can fall or be damaged easily if unsecured. It was stored for approx. 10 yrs off and on, and only used on the car when necessary. but since I was lucky enough to get it with the car, why not keep it. It mounted right up when I was getting it ready to be transported to SoCal. so I guess it hasnt been to warpped by all its inactivity, and its being stored as described above.
Thanks Bob

 

[Vetsvette2002]

Bob,
I used to put the hard top on in winter. I didn'r drive it but I'd put it on anyways, even took out the soft top.

Now it sits in a homemade moveable dolly. Its made out of extruded aluminum, rubber caster wheels and foam padding. And the hard top is covered with GI blankets. Once a year I take it out and wax the chrome and polish the vinyl. and the rear window. Its 36 years young and perfect.
Don

PS I guess you got yours home now?

 

[bobmanx]

Don, thats where I was heading with the hardtop storage, covered, clean and supported on foam with the decklid area on the bottom of the support. I installed the hardtop just to get the whole car here since it was being transported by Intercity.

Yes it's in SoCal. but not completely home. My one car garage is full of a slow Meyers Manx F/G Dune Buggy restoration. (work and a knee injury got in the way) So I confiscated part of my mom's two car garage in Orange County. Its close enough that I can work on, transport tools and get any needed parts, but still keep it in a locked and alarmed location till its running. I have to get new Holley float bowl gaskets, fluids, filters and a battery and then we see if it will come alive!
Thanks Bob


Erik, you forgot one, your neighbors house is only six to eight feet away, so they can put more houses on less land. lol
Bob

 

[bobmanx]

Mike, how long till you are ready to put the pieces together and consumate the deal? Looks nice, but I'm sure that you would rather have it done (correctly) and be behind the wheel cruisin the streets, with the soft top down and the hardtop safe and secure in storage!

I can see the look on my wife's face now, when I want to purchase a lift system like Mike's so I can "fix a few things" on the Vette, and we need to "expand" the garage!
Bob