75 hardtop

[Ross F.]

I have a 75 roadster. I'm thinking of getting a date correct hardtop for it. I've noticed that it already has the threaded ferrules in the deck lid for the side bolts. But it does not have the third rear mounting hole in the deck. Did all roadsters come this way?
Does this mean it did or didn't come with a hardtop? I have the tank sticker, but I can't see C07 on it. But I can't see much on it as it is really faded.

[Joe L.]

Re: 75 hardtop

I have a 75 roadster. I'm thinking of getting a date correct hardtop for it. I've noticed that it already has the threaded ferrules in the deck lid for the side bolts. But it does not have the third rear mounting hole in the deck. Did all roadsters come this way?
Does this mean it did or didn't come with a hardtop? I have the tank sticker, but I can't see C07 on it. But I can't see much on it as it is really faded.

Ross------


The center hole was only drilled if the car was originally equipped with the optional C-07 hard-top. The fact that your car does not have the hole is proof that it was not delivered with the C-07 option.

[Ross F.]

Re: 75 hardtop

Thanks Joe. That's what I thought. I was just confused by the side bolt mountings that are installed on my deck lid. I guess all roadsters must come with those . I read somewhere that, instead of the rear bolts, I could use the soft top barbed studs in the hardtop and mount it basically like a soft top. Is that true?

[Joe L.]

Re: 75 hardtop

Thanks Joe. That's what I thought. I was just confused by the side bolt mountings that are installed on my deck lid. I guess all roadsters must come with those . I read somewhere that, instead of the rear bolts, I could use the soft top barbed studs in the hardtop and mount it basically like a soft top. Is that true?

Ross------

Yes, I believe that all 68-75 convertibles had the mounting nuts on the sides of the deck lid, whether or not the car was originally equipped with a hard top.

The barbed studs were used for the rear mounting points for hardtops during the 1968 model year. I suppose they could also be used for 1975. Would I use them? Not a chance. The studs with special washers and nuts are WAY better and more secure. GM didn't abandon the use of the barbed studs after 1968 because they worked as good or better than the conventional studs.

Also, you don't absolutely need to use the center rear hard-top mounting point if you'd rather not drill the deck lid. 1968-69 did not use the center mounting point. Of course, GM did not add the center mount point because it worked just as well without it but I never experienced any problems with my 1969 which doesn't have it.

[Don L.]

Re: 75 hardtop

Ross------

Yes, I believe that all 68-75 convertibles had the mounting nuts on the sides of the deck lid, whether or not the car was originally equipped with a hard top.
The barbed studs were used for the rear mounting points for hardtops during the 1968 model year. I suppose they could also be used for 1975. Would I use them? Not a chance. The studs with special washers and nuts are WAY better and more secure. GM didn't abandon the use of the barbed studs after 1968 because they worked as good or better than the conventional studs.

Also, you don't absolutely need to use the center rear hard-top mounting point if you'd rather not drill the deck lid. 1968-69 did not use the center mounting point. Of course, GM did not add the center mount point because it worked just as well without it but I never experienced any problems with my 1969 which doesn't have it.

Are we sure about this? I thought for sure I've seen soft-top-only cars without the side mounting hardware...

[Joe L.]

Re: 75 hardtop

Are we sure about this? I thought for sure I've seen soft-top-only cars without the side mounting hardware...

Don-------


No, I'm not sure about this. That's why I used the term "I believe". Anybody out there have a non-C-07 convertible with or without the special nuts?

[Don L.]

Re: 75 hardtop

Hi Joe. Perhaps a poor choice of words in my reply. I really think that only hard top equipped cars had mounting hardware, but I'm not 100% certain, especially when you say you believe all cars had the hardware. I know you know a lot about these things and respect your knowledge, therefore, my soft challenge earlier.

Let's see what other say about the hardware.

[Ross F.]

Re: 75 hardtop

My wife says I'm a "special kind of nuts"
Like I said originally, I have no center hole, nor do I have any documentation that my car ever was equipped with a hardtop.
But I definitely have the special nuts mounted in the edges of the deck.
Now, I have no idea what a previous owner may have done, or even if the deck lid is original.
The car looks like it's been painted at least once. But I do not see any sign of someone filling in the center mounting hole.

[Edward B.]

Re: 75 hardtop

I can add to the thread, but the AIM really isn't that helpful with the location! Can someone post a picture showing where to look and exactly what I'm looking for with regards to the side mounts?

Ed

[Joe L.]

Re: 75 hardtop

I can add to the thread, but the AIM really isn't that helpful with the location! Can someone post a picture showing where to look and exactly what I'm looking for with regards to the side mounts?

Ed

Ed-------


Not the best pictures, but this illustrates the location of the side mount special nuts.


DSCN3150.jpgDSCN3151.jpg

[Edward B.]

Re: 75 hardtop

Well, I don't see anything at all there, so I'm not sure if my contribution will help (see the attached pictures).

But anyway, the car was assembled on October 21st, 1969 and as far as I know, only came with the soft top.

Ed

[Joe L.]

Re: 75 hardtop

Well, I don't see anything at all there, so I'm not sure if my contribution will help (see the attached pictures).

But anyway, the car was assembled on October 21st, 1969 and as far as I know, only came with the soft top.

Ed

Ed--------



I don't see the "wings" of the deck lid in these photos.

[Edward B.]

Re: 75 hardtop

OH!!! they're on the DECK LID! I thought they were on the body itself.

Here's the pictures (not great, but they should give you the idea), and you can see there's nothing there. Not even any pre-drilled holes. I also checked the inside for filler and found nothing so it looks like my deck lid didn't have the nuts, or even the holes to put them in. And by the way, no center deck lid hole either.

Ed

[Joe L.]

Re: 75 hardtop

Here's an interesting thing:

The installation of the CENTER hold-down is shown in the C-07 section of the AIM. This page shows the size of the hole in the deck lid and implies that the hole is to be drilled at St. Louis.

The installation of the SIDE MOUNT special nuts is also shown in the C-07 section of the AIM. However, there is no reference as to the size of the hole or instruction that it be drilled.

[Edward B.]

Re: 75 hardtop

The installation of the SIDE MOUNT special nuts is also shown in the C-07 section of the AIM. However, there is no reference as to the size of the hole or instruction that it be drilled.

Which indicates that the holes should already be there by the time the car comes down the line!

Ed