So starting to look into getting my soft top frame restored. Sully's is $800 and Coffman is $3,560. Same service using my top. How is that even possible to have such a wide difference in price? Anyone have experiences with either of these outfits?
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late Oct 1969 L46 350/350, M21 4spd, 3.70 posi convertible --As with life, restoration is a journey, not a destination. Though restored cars provide both journeys AND destinations! -
I've dealt with Coffman and found them very reasonable. Who did you talk to there? You might want to get a list from both detailing exactly what would be done. -
Thanks Terry. AFAIK they would be doing similar work. I talked to Sully but just going off Coffman website. Sully talked about breaking it all down including rivets...powder coat I believe vs paint...tack strips etc.
I am not shooting for perfection; Sully has been around for a while, advertises regularly in Driveline, and was recommended to me by some seasoned person along the way....I forget who. Doing "anything" to my top will make it far better than it is. Being in PA I could drive it to Coffman but $2800 difference pays for a lot of shipping. If Coffman were my only option I would DIY ...at least what I could....before spending that kinda money. This is not like rebuilding a diff, engine, tranny, etc.***************
late Oct 1969 L46 350/350, M21 4spd, 3.70 posi convertible --As with life, restoration is a journey, not a destination. Though restored cars provide both journeys AND destinations!Comment
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late Oct 1969 L46 350/350, M21 4spd, 3.70 posi convertible --As with life, restoration is a journey, not a destination. Though restored cars provide both journeys AND destinations!Comment
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Well if you talked to Sully why not talk to Coffman's and find out why so much higher than SullyComment
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If all your donig is the frame, it's not that hard to do yourself, parts are available. Who were you going to have install the top itself?Comment
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I just have seemingly unlimited tasks on this restore of my total bastahd case project which I began 4 years ago. I am basically rebuilding the ENTIRE car. And being in my early 60s and not yet retired..and want to drive it again at some point.. I just can't do everything. The soft top frame and vinyl are two I do not wish to do.
So to answer your question...I am pretty set on Al Knoch doing the vinyl top. I believe they do frames too so maybe I should call them about the frame too. BTW...I asked Sully about how to ship it ...don't have a ship cost yet....but he said go to a retailer and get a box they ship bicycles in. They put them in the trash every day.
Too bad I am travelling the next few weeks or I would bring the frame/top to Carlisle for Al Knoch.***************
late Oct 1969 L46 350/350, M21 4spd, 3.70 posi convertible --As with life, restoration is a journey, not a destination. Though restored cars provide both journeys AND destinations!Comment
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I believe Sully’s gets their vinyl tops from Al Knoch, or at least that’s how it worked when I bought a top and frame from Sully’s a while ago. I tried to contact Coffman’s to discuss their tops and frames but they never answered the phone or returned my voice messages so after a while I gave up on Coffman (maybe I just caught them at a bad time) and moved forward with Sully’s.
If you are not willing or comfortable with installing the vinyl top I’d be inclined to as you suggested, check with Al Knoch about restoring your frame and installing a top. It seems to me though that in order to get the top to fit correctly, the vinyl top should only be attached to the frame after the frame has been installed on your car and adjusted to fit with the doors and windows. Maybe I’m over thinking it but it would be a concern worth discussing with Al Knoch.
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