Should I buy a hardtop? 1971

[Peter B.]

Hi Everyone. Me again. Question I have a 71 convertible and have an opportunity to buy a 68 hardtop Glass and trim ok. No inside liner. I probably won't use it but will it help the value of my car? How much should I pay for it max? Asking about $600 at the moment. Latches look good. What do you think?

[Gary R.]

Re: Should I buy a hardtop? 1971

Peter......... The 68 tops didn't have the tips on them like the later years. I'm not sure how much that makes a difference. I only used my hardtop for a year or two when I drove it in the winters. All depends on what you want. My buddy had a 71 365hp car and never took the top off. Then he got a 68 and again never removed the top, I asked why he didn't just buy a coupe but he liked the hardtop lines. They are not worth as much as C1 or C2 tops, I've seen some real nice ones in the $1200-1500 range- these were ready to bolt on a car, no work needed.

[Gary H.]

Re: Should I buy a hardtop? 1971

Hardtops seem to be avail at the big corvette swap meets for $750 to $1000. The thought crossed my mind for my 69, but I have only used the top on my 63 a handful of times.

[Edward B.]

Re: Should I buy a hardtop? 1971

I had a 68 with both tops and I NEVER installed the hard top. It stayed up in the rafters the entire time I owned the car. Living in So Cal, I rarely even used the soft top!

Ed

[Jimmy G.]

Re: Should I buy a hardtop? 1971

One word answer NO

[Michael J.]

Re: Should I buy a hardtop? 1971

I would agree, my first Corvette was a '70 LT1 roadster, top was up in the garage rafters the whole time I had it, heavy, bulky, constricting, and compared to open crusing, superfluous. I now have a '64 convertible, no hard top ever even entered my mind, they were meant to be top down and look better that way. BTW, at the Nationals and the Colorado regionals, mine was the only roadster/convertible there with the top down the whole event.

[Terry B.]

Re: Should I buy a hardtop? 1971

Hi Peter,

I considered buying a hard top for my '68 about a year ago and decided against it. One of the problems I had was finding a nice and correct dated top. I believe that if your going to spend the money,(for the one I was considering, it was priced at 2K) you need to have it correct for the car. Second, I've seen what a hard top can do to nice paint when you do not have the proper help to take it off and on, not pretty.

Depending on how nice it is, it may only increase the valve of the car by about one thousand dollars and sit in storage the entire time. Not a great investment.

Terry

[Rob V.]

Re: Should I buy a hardtop? 1971

Hi Peter--Purely personal preference. Like Gary Ramadei's friend--I love the hardtops because of the look; as well as the fact that they are better weather barriers than a "rag top". For example, I have had seven (7) C-2s; five (5) Convertibles, and two (2) Coupes--all five Convertibles were fitted with hardtops. If the Convertibles did not come with a hardtop, but were originally fitted with one, I got one for the car. Once I put the top on, it never came off. As a matter of fact, the dealership where I buy, sell, and trade these cars asked why I bought Convertibles, and then never took the hardtop off--I responded with the same reasons that I did at the beginning of this email. I would say that if the '68 hardtop is different than the '69 through '72 hardtops, then I would wait to find one that is more correct (and complete). Rob Vanderhoeven

[Robert R.]

Re: Should I buy a hardtop? 1971

Peter
Did your '71 originally come with a hardtop?
if so, that would be a consideration to complete it.
On a personal note, though I usually drive mine with top down, in the fall, it is nice to put on the hardtop and take it out if the weather turns on you.
Plus, with the top on and windows up, it really is a nice quieter ride.

Sorry, I must be getting old for that comment.
Bob

[Bill M.]

Re: Should I buy a hardtop? 1971

I live in New York and take my 66 out in all weather. I put the hard top on in the fall and use all winter. When the hard top is on it gives the car a better feel than even a coupe. On the other hand they are anchors if you are not going to use.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Should I buy a hardtop? 1971

Personally I would not buy one, but if I were I definitely would not buy a 68 to put it on a 71.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Should I buy a hardtop? 1971

Personally I would not buy one, but if I were I definitely would not buy a 68 to put it on a 71.

What he said & also if you get one do NOT store it on the Corvette during the winter. Always have the soft top up to keep it from shrinking.

[Dan D.]

Re: Should I buy a hardtop? 1971

For what it's worth...This is one of those questions that fall under the broad category of[Taste / Preference / Opinion]. One cannot debate these issues because there really is no right or wrong. In fact, a person doesn't even have to have a reason to feel the way they feel about something. Now, with that being said...my opinion is that a removable hardtop is worth having. Will you use it much?...Probably not...Is it worth what you will probably have tied up in it?...that, only you can decide. I bought my '72 convertible in 1985. I pondered that dilemma for 18 years. In 2003 I made up my mind I wanted a hardtop. I located a top, rented a truck, drove from Pittsburgh to Concord, NC, had it painted and restored... and, $3,000.00 later I had the best looking, most unique garage ornament a man could have. Am I sorry?...No. Do I use it much?...No. Would I do it again?...Absolutely. But, I should have done it sooner. When the weather cools down, or, anytime I just want the car to look different...I just pop it on. I think it looks really good. Actually, I had both tops on the 1958 "fuelly" which I bought new in 1958. And yes, I wish I had it now. I only kept it a year. A Corvette is a great second or third car; but as your only car...not good. All I can say is, "If you want a top...go for it...you won't regret it." Good Luck

[Phil W.]

Re: Should I buy a hardtop? 1971

I like the look of my '71 with the hard top installed. Mine was original to the car but I had a '70 which I bought a hardtop for and I would do it again. I agree that top down is most always best but I think a hardtop adds a good look especially for the shark body style.My experience proves out what has already been noted above, hardtops are heavy and hard to handle, your soft top will shrink after long periods of being stored down (mine did) and if not properly installed it will damage your paint. Also, I would try to find one for a '71 and closer to your build date, ready to install and enjoy - they're out there.Good luck in your search.

[Don L.]

Re: Should I buy a hardtop? 1971

FWIW, I agree 100% with Phil's and Rob's comments. Personal preference as to whether this is right for you or not.

While installing, removing and storing the hardtop is certainly a PITA, the look when on, in my opinion, can't be beat. I prefer the body colored top vs. vinyl covered, but that's just me.

I like to put my top on for a change in appearance, typically in early spring and fall when it's too cool here in Michigan for the (favorite) top down look and feel. The car is tighter and quieter with the hard top on, however, this is not to say that the car is quiet with the top on vs. today's rides. BTW, I use the clear vinyl protector strip between the weather strip and the paint to keep from getting that annoying line in the paint and I don't leave the top on for any extended period of time. It lives on a stand in the basement. And oh, installing those retainers and nuts to the top's pin bolts that extend through the deck lid is a real PITA. I've contemplated replacing the hex nuts with self-locking wing nuts, but haven't done so to date.

Photos of my top on:

Double click image to enlarge (I've forgotten how to insert in larger size)

IMG_4398.jpgIMG_4426.jpg