C1:Where were Soft Top fabrics attached to frames?

[Richard M.]

Were the 62 soft tops attached to frames at St Louis? Was there an upholstery shop there, fabricating and assembling all of the interior goods?

JG has no info about dates for tops.

If I have a early 62 car, built apx Sep 6 1961, is it feasible that the soft top could be dated "961" Sep 61? That would mean the top would have been attached to the frame within a week of the build date of the car, and then installed on it too. What is the typical range of build/assy? I've heard 3 months. It's probably unlikely anyone still has their original tops on their 62's, but if you do please let me know your top date and car build date.

BTW, Sep 1 1961 was a Friday, the 4th was Labor Day, and the 6th was Wednesday.

Thanks,
Rich Mozzetta #13499
62 #483

[Dave Suesz]

My understanding

(while I can not specifically cite St Louis procedure) is it was common practice for soft tops to be delivered assembled to assembly line, and simply bolted onto the car.

[Dave Suesz]

My understanding

(while I can not specifically cite St Louis procedure) is it was common practice for soft tops to be delivered assembled to assembly line, and simply bolted onto the car.

[Mike E.]

Re: My understanding

The October/November 1970 Corvette News, p.10, has a picture of a worker assembling a soft top at the St. Louis plant. One has to assume that had been the practice since the 50's. Regarding the dating--it would be a MAJOR stretch to believe that a September top would be on a September 6th car. From wherever the fabric and back window were made and stitched together. they then had to be transported to St. Louis, and then assembled to the frame, and then installed on the car. Especially with labor day factored in--if I were judging the car, I'd have a significant concern with that date.

[Mike E.]

Re: My understanding

The October/November 1970 Corvette News, p.10, has a picture of a worker assembling a soft top at the St. Louis plant. One has to assume that had been the practice since the 50's. Regarding the dating--it would be a MAJOR stretch to believe that a September top would be on a September 6th car. From wherever the fabric and back window were made and stitched together. they then had to be transported to St. Louis, and then assembled to the frame, and then installed on the car. Especially with labor day factored in--if I were judging the car, I'd have a significant concern with that date.

[John H.]

Re: C1:Where were Soft Top fabrics attached to fra

Rich -

C1 soft tops were built up as a complete assembly by an outside supplier (Findlay Industries, as I recall) and delivered to St. Louis ready for installation on the Final Line.

No soft trim was fabricated at St. Louis - it was strictly an assembly plant.

[John H.]

Re: C1:Where were Soft Top fabrics attached to fra

Rich -

C1 soft tops were built up as a complete assembly by an outside supplier (Findlay Industries, as I recall) and delivered to St. Louis ready for installation on the Final Line.

No soft trim was fabricated at St. Louis - it was strictly an assembly plant.

[Richard M.]

Re: C1:Where were Soft Top fabrics attached to fra

John,Mike,Dave,

Thanks for clearing this up for me. It appears that I need a dated top prior to September.

Probably May or June makes sense???

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: C1:Where were Soft Top fabrics attached to fra

John,Mike,Dave,

Thanks for clearing this up for me. It appears that I need a dated top prior to September.

Probably May or June makes sense???

Rich

[Dennis C.]

July, August makes more sense to me... DC *NM*

[Dennis C.]

July, August makes more sense to me... DC *NM*

[Richard M.]

Re: July, August makes more sense to me... DC

Dennis, Thanks! ....and to all who helped!

Always Learning,
Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: July, August makes more sense to me... DC

Dennis, Thanks! ....and to all who helped!

Always Learning,
Rich