1960 Soft Top Latch problem

[Ruedi K.]

Hello together,

I have a problem, that one original soft top latch doesn't stay down anymore. (1960 Corvette).

(my 60 convertible top already has a tear, but that's another story - by the way: heard that there are new reproduction tops out there that are not that "tight")

working.jpg--> This is OK and works great

not working.jpg --> This does not work.

So I thought, well, I order an original one on Ebay. Now the one I got (in GM box) is not exactly the same as the one I had before. The Chinese reproduction ones I ordered a long time ago, didn't work as well...

On one side it goes down much more than on the other side. The one where it doesn't go down that far works great. But I am experiencing problems with the one I bought on Ebay.

Could somebody please help me, regarding part number of the original, how it should look like and if there is a repair kit available for These soft top latches?

Is there even a person outside that I can trust and order an original, working soft top latch from? I really need a good source for one of these. I can't hook in my convertible top anymore.

Thank you very much for any help and for tips where to get the right Thing (not willing to pay big bucks for Chinese or Repro stuff that just doesn't work here).

It is quite annoying that on these top latches there are no stamped numbers. Makes it much more difficult to find the right thing I need.

Best regards from Switzerland and thank you in advance for help regarding this problem.

Ruedi

[Mark E.]

Re: 1960 Soft Top Latch problem

I'm not familiar with these so I can't help directly. But there are several threads on this forum discussing these latches which may help you. One post mentions a repair kit available from parts houses, which may be an option.

Good luck.

[Ruedi K.]

Re: 1960 Soft Top Latch problem

Hello Mark. Thank you for your answer. I will try to look over the other threads regarding rear soft top latches. This issue is really confusing me. It seems that on Ebay is not a single, original one.

Ruedi

[Richard M.]

Re: 1960 Soft Top Latch problem

Ruedi,

Unfortunately, the reproductions clamp down too far and typically hit the mount screw. This makes it nearly impossible to clamp down completely. I have had to modify the swing latches to accommodate the repros. This involves grinding the slots so the swing latch goes down further.

Originals are hard to find, and they are difficult to re-chrome due to the rivets. They have to come apart completely for the chrome process.

I had 2 NOS a few years ago, now sold. I wish I kept them.

Rich

[Ruedi K.]

Re: 1960 Soft Top Latch problem

Hello Richard

Yes, that's true, they come down too far. Maybe I will try modifying them a bit. But I think I will just wait and see if I can find others that I could use.

Thank you. Have a good week.

Ruedi

Ruedi