Convertible top noise on a '64

[Michael J.]

I have an almost new soft top on my '64. In testing various things for my PV next month, I noticed when I had the side windows down, the wind at 40 mph or so would cause the top material to slap the small diameter front black cross bar under it and make a noise. When the windows were up, no slapping noises. Should there be some kind of material, like felt or something, on top of that bar, or is this normal and nothing to worry about for PV. Thanks, sorry I am new at PV.

[William F.]

Re: Convertible top noise on a '64

Don't know about slapping noise, but all Corvette convertibles I've owned/driven have some kind of top noise. Buy a coupe.

[Mike M.]

Re: Convertible top noise on a '64

no factory noise suppressant but there is a channel that could be stuffed with foam or felt to muffle the slapping sounds. doubt peckerhead would object to the slapping sound but you never know with the augusta midget. good luck, mike

[Michael J.]

[Edward J.]

Re: Convertible top noise on a '64

Mike J. I have the same issue with my 63, I would consider it normal, as these tops even when the installed and taught as mine is. I can see no way to stop them from flapping. On 63/64 's the first small round metal bar has no felt under it, the later years they increased the bar size and put a felt liner on top to stop that noise. Good luck on your PV.

[Tony S.]

Re: Convertible top noise on a '64

Is your front windlace installed in front of your header bar or under it?

[Michael J.]

Re: Convertible top noise on a '64

It's in front, I think, and the wind lace is stapled onto the front under the top. It is the last piece put on and I have the correct, thinner one with the wrap around from Al Knoch.

[Tony S.]

Re: Convertible top noise on a '64

Convertible top front windlace.jpg


Michael. As we all know, driving a C2 convertible with the convertible top in place will never be without wind noise. Period. However, from my experiences, we can lessen the wind noise with a front windlace that is correctly configured and installed. It sounds like you have the right windlace but it is installed incorrectly if it is installed in front of the header bar instead of under the header bar. That thin windlace was intended to serve as a seal between the header bar and the upper birdcase window surround. When the front windlace is installed in front of the header bar, it doesn't provide the wind sealing that the correctly installed windlaces are intended to provide. Here's a photo of a correctly installed windlace. You can see and imagine how this seal might help limit wind noise.

For years, I would see those big fat windlaces on the front of the C2 header bars at NCRS judging events. They stick out like a big unibrow. As our judging schools have advanced, information has been spread through our classes on how a front windlace should be correctly configured. Now at NCRS events, I see more and more correctly configured and installed front windlaces. If you reconfigure your front windlace installation, perhaps your wind noise may lessen.

Good luck.

[Michael J.]

Re: Convertible top noise on a '64

Thanks yes, that is exactly the way mine is installed, Al Knoch did the installation that way, I couldn't follow your previous description. Wind is not getting under the top, it is rippling over the top of the top as it gusts and 18 wheelers pass, and with the windows down at 60+ MPH the pressure differentials inside the car cause the noise, again no noise or flapping with the windows up as there is no air getting under the front of the top.

[Edward J.]

Re: Convertible top noise on a '64

Mike, You might be able to look for some felt liner to glue in place under the first bow. Is this were the flapping is happening? My 63 tends to flap over bumps and at hwy. speed. This is my plan on my 63 after I go through judging in Sept. at Marlboro, Mass.

[Michael J.]

Re: Convertible top noise on a '64

Thanks Ed, I may try that.