Hardtops flying off convertibles ???

[topless82vette]

I've run across a couple of posts about this whether they are true I don't know. So I thought I'de ask since this is the only roof I plan on using on my car & losing one on the freeways out here would be a very bad thing.

So what are the general causes of this besides the front latches and could you remove the front guide pins and replace them wit a stud to really make sure this won't happen.

Could body flex cause the latches to become undone?

So have any of you actually lost one at freeway speeds and what are some fixes to eliminate this if it is in fact true.

 

[bill81vette]

I think a lot of it would be putting one's hand up near the latch and grabbing it with out thinking about it...hence the top would go flyinghnoeshnoes

I have also heard that people walking by the vettes would just reach in and open the latch...in a parking lot ...eg :ugh :ugh ;squint:

 

[BruceBed]

I haven't lost mine in 34years. Granted I don't put it on every winter but, It never went anywhere. If you bolt down the factory sides and rear pins you'd have to be on the Bonneville Salt Flats to lose a hardtop. I don't think you could steal a hardtop unless you had sufficient time to access the side post and rear attachments. You'd have to be really booging and I think you'd need a second pair of hands to help guide it off. I hope this answers your questions. I'm thinking of putting mine on this winter. It just keeps it quieter at highway speeds when I can't have the top down.

 

[6880 Mike]

I've never heard of it. T-tops, yes. Hard tops, no. The hard tops bolt down in four places and have three latches across the front. Pretty stout.

 

[IrishJoker]

T-Tops don't go flying either unless you forget to lock (close) the latches on the windshield.

 

[topless82vette]

I've never heard of it. T-tops, yes. Hard tops, no. The hard tops bolt down in four places and have three latches across the front. Pretty stout.

bolts down in 5 places

 

[vett boy]

bolts down in 5 places

Correct ,at 143 mph (69) mine stayed on.It would have made one hell of a mess if it didn't

 

[topless82vette]

Correct ,at 143 mph (69) mine stayed on.It would have made one hell of a mess if it didn't

so were the hardtop decklids just drilled out softop decklids? My decklid only has 2 of the 5 mounting holes, I see where my hardtop has 2 outer mounting studs, and it at one time had something in the center as well, the side mounting things are intact as well. However my decklid doesn't have these extra holes.

 

[vett boy]

There should be two holes on the back deck that are also used for the vert top studs.

Two on the windshild left and right also common to the vert top.

You may also have a center latch (center above windshield )

It was a few vetts ago :d but my 69 was a special car ,first one I actually bought rather than stole

 

[KANE]

...but my 69 was a special car ,first one I actually bought rather than stole

Steve- you'll have to create a post and share more about this... I'm sure the statute of limitations has run out- so you are safe!

:L

 

[vett boy]

Steve- you'll have to create a post and share more about this... I'm sure the statute of limitations has run out- so you are safe!

:L

I might see ya at BG next summer and i'll fill ya in.

 

[Crimson Thunder]

bolts down in 5 places

Mine has six.Three latches in the front.Three in the back,although the little post in the middle can't do much to hold it down.I couldn't imagine it ever coming off.

 

[topless82vette]

Mine has six.Three latches in the front.Three in the back,although the little post in the middle can't do much to hold it down.I couldn't imagine it ever coming off.

I was counting 5 as the total rear decklid attaching points.

 

[6880 Mike]

I was counting 5 as the total rear decklid attaching points.

Some tops do not have the center thumb nut.