C2 Convertible Top "Warning" Tag Protection???

[James W.]

Okay, this not really a technical question, but I does have to do with Corvettes.

I had a new Al Knoch convertible top installed on my '64 convertible over in Bloomington this year. I drive my car to most of the meets I go to and want to know what the best method is to protect the paper "Dealer Do Not Remove" tag from being torn off when the car is driven and when it is stored under the deck lid. Does anyone have a way to preserve this tag on a driven car??? I plan to have the car judged again next year in St. Louis and want to keep it from getting torn off. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

James West

[Gerard F.]

Re: C2 Convertible Top "Warning" Tag Protection???

James,

The first time the seam gets wet, it is a goner. I tried to preserve mine on a new top by making a see-through envelope out of two event namebadge envelopes. The first time I drove it (oh heavens ) in a little rain (oh heavens ), the envelope leaked at the seam and I almost lost the tag and the envelope.

The only way I see to preserve it on the top would be to lay it flat against the top and cover the perphery around it with waterproof tape. Not only will this look unsightly, it might damage the finish of the top material around the tag.

The other option is to never drive it in the rain But then you'll worry about wind damage to it, if you drive too fast.

It is only 4 points at flight judging. I put mine in my glove box envelope. Maybe I'll recoup a few points by taping it back on just prior to the judging event.

Otherwise, I'll take the 4 points and be able to say "Tags! We don't need no stinkin' Tags", because we drive the car. Afterall, isn't 4 points like driving 9 miles to an event.

Just having fun. Seriously, there is someone out there that makes a tag protector. I found him on a similar post as yours, but was too busy driving my 67 to check into it.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Ray G.]

Re: C2 Convertible Top "Warning" Tag Protection???

Hello;
Have had success masking surronding area and spraying w/ clear laquer.
Hope this helps.
Ray

[Tom S.]

Re: C2 Convertible Top "Warning" Tag Protection???

How about clear packing tape just a little bigger than the tag? I think that tape is about 2" wide an it stick pretty good . Then for clean up a little oops on a rag. Tom

[John M.]

Re: C2 Convertible Top "Warning" Tag Protection???

On my 60, the tag went away the first time I got caught in a rain. I ordered several new tags from Al, and before judging, I would take a glue stick, and glue the edge of the tag and stick it under the little flap where the tag was sewn through. No judge ever detected that it was not sewn in, and it removed easily to store for the next meet.

Regards, John McGraw

[Jack H.]

The best solution...

I've seen is owners who've cut a small piece of clear mylar to lay over the soft top label and held it in place with a modified clip. The clips I've seen used were simply the large plastic potatoe chip package re-sealing clips you can buy at any grocery store with one of the release handles cut short to prevent the clip from rubbing against the deck lid when installed...

[Garry Barnes]

Re: The best solution...

Be careful with the tape idea. If you get the tape on the clear glass area and leave it for awhile, the adhesive on the tape will begin to eat away at your plastic window. It leaves a deep impression mark. Don't ask how I know......
Garry
#18531

[Alan Drake]

Re: A solution

I found a small plasic bag that goes over tag then clear packing tape across bag about 3" on each side. Seems to work so far, HOWEVER I have not driven very far (under 100 miles this year)

[James W.]

Re: The best solution...

I'd like to see a picture of that set up.

James West

[Gary D.]

Re: The best solution...

My tag came off my 71 the first time out in rain. I found the tag at the back of the fender. Dried the tag and placed double face tape on the back side. Keep the tag on the back page of my photo album and place it on the top for judging only, then replace to photo album, works good and so far no point deduct.

[Roy B.]

Re: C2 "Warning" Tag mising???

I think it's safe to say GM never water tested the Corvette and dint the dealer have them washed when receiving new ones??
That said how many had them on when sold??

[Gerard F.]

Good point, Roy

The AIM, (at least my 67 Aim) shows a water test, sheet F2, for both the hardtop and convertible top. For hardtop optioned cars, did they do the water test twice with both the hardtop and the convertible top? I think highly not likely. Maybe the convertible only came without the tags unless they did something to specially protect the tag. Or they didn't water test the convertible top. (as you know they all leak)

What do you think, John H.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[John H.]

Re: Good point, Roy

Jerry -

Yes, every Corvette was water-tested, and 2-top cars were water-tested twice - first with the soft top, and again with the soft top stowed and the hardtop installed. The production process was laid out intentionally so that none of the interior soft trim (carpets, seats, door trim panels, quarter trim panels, shifter console plate, etc.) was installed until AFTER water test, to simplify finding the source of water leaks and repairing them without damaging trim or having to remove trim parts. When the car was driven off the Final Line to Roll-Test and Toe-In, it had NO interior trim below the belt line.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Good point, Roy

Thanks John,

I learn something every day. How did they protect the convertible top tag from water damage? Or was the tag of a different type material then you see in repros today.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Roy B.]

Re: Good point,BUT

Other protections like the white soft top cover they used to keep the material clean in shipping .warning tags/ paper work on the glass area. Things that were on the Corvettes during shipping. Ant the Corvettes to be judged as they left the plant not the dealer. I have to wonder why the soft top tag only is required in judging and not others/ I suppose it don't matter Oh well!!