Mid year soft top not fitting right

[Gene M.]

A while back there was some complaints about Al Knoch tops not fitting correctly. I also find this to be true.

Dimensionally outside of main seam to outside of main seam across the car measures 33 3/8 inches. The center section above the side windows is too short and can not be fitted correctly to cover to the bottom of the weatherstrip as it should be. Streaching in this direction is not going to stay since there is no securing along the top of side window weatherstrip. From the outer edge of the main seam to the edge of the fabric above the windows it measures 6 1/4 at the ends and 6 1/2 in the middle. I estimate it to be an inch short on both sides.

Also the front pinch welt bead is way too short by an inch and a half at each end. And the pinch welt ends are not sewn correctly.

The under side pads are cut way too short length wise and require stapling at the edges of the bows just to fit on the frame. The dimensions on the bow positions in the literature are not accurate and do not agree with the short cut length of the pads.

Someone stated that there was a "John Kennedy Pattern" for soft tops that could be ordered from Al Knoch. The Kennedy pattern is supposed to be bigger to fit correctly above the window side glass and other areas that were too small in Knoch's kits.

Is there any discussion of others finding this problem with Al's tops? Has anybody obtained the "John Kennedy" kit and installed it or measured it against the available Knoch top?

I have a phone call into Knoch today but as this note have not received a reply.

[Dick G.]

Re: Mid year soft top not fitting right

With the help of a friend we installed my softtop onto my 65. Having the knoch softop video was a great help. The installation of the flap above the side windows was not shown clearly in the video. I have an upward curve behind the flap exposing some of the weatherstrip. Trying to get the wireon installed without seeing any staples or edge of fabric afterwards is proving difficult. Seems the wireon is too too narrow when hammered down. Anyone else?? This is a tan top. A black top would hide a lot of these problems. Can someone measure the width of their wireon? Preferably an original car. Thanks DG

[Douglas L.]

Re: Mid year soft top not fitting right

I put the top on this car over 15 years ago and had the same problem with the sides. I recently read an article somewhere on the "fit" of new tops and one of the conclusions was the fit was not as good as the originals, especially above the doors. So I think this situation might be related to re-production tops in general. What you see in the picture is an Al Knoch top from 1993. Also, if the pads are thick on top, that might affect the sides fit.

http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/Jangling427/?action=view&current=DougsCorvette7-2-21-04.jpg

[Gerard F.]

Re: Mid year soft top not fitting right

Dick,

Here's an original wireon on a 67 from the 2007 National (George Weaver's car):


Don't have a dimension of the width but you can probably guess from the trim piece.

I have a 19 year old Zip repro on my 67. The wireon all hammered down is just about 5/8" in width.

[Gerard F.]

Here's how they are supposed to fit

Gene,

This is an original top on a 67 (George Weaver's car from the 2007 Convention)

Side window fit:

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/646/4sidewindowfitsmallky3.jpg

Front windlace:

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/5332/2frontwindlacesmilesmalyi5.jpg

I have a 1989 Zip top on my 67, and the dimensions are about the same as yours, where the sides don't cover the window weatherstrip. Just cut too short.

I was the guy who mentioned the John Kennedy pattern supposedly available from Al Knoch as a special order. That's what John told me himself at the 2007 Las Vegas Regional.

I also wonder if anyone has gotten the John Kennedy pattern from Al Knoch.

Page, where are you on C2 convertible top fits.

PS to the guys: Back in action after a tough time with the surgeon. All clear, and I'm going like a race horse, (or Mustang).

[James W.]

Re: Mid year soft top not fitting right

A while back there was some complaints about Al Knoch tops not fitting correctly. I also find this to be true.

Dimensionally outside of main seam to outside of main seam across the car measures 33 3/8 inches. The center section above the side windows is too short and can not be fitted correctly to cover to the bottom of the weatherstrip as it should be. Streaching in this direction is not going to stay since there is no securing along the top of side window weatherstrip. From the outer edge of the main seam to the edge of the fabric above the windows it measures 6 1/4 at the ends and 6 1/2 in the middle. I estimate it to be an inch short on both sides.

Also the front pinch welt bead is way too short by an inch and a half at each end. And the pinch welt ends are not sewn correctly.

The under side pads are cut way too short length wise and require stapling at the edges of the bows just to fit on the frame. The dimensions on the bow positions in the literature are not accurate and do not agree with the short cut length of the pads.

Someone stated that there was a "John Kennedy Pattern" for soft tops that could be ordered from Al Knoch. The Kennedy pattern is supposed to be bigger to fit correctly above the window side glass and other areas that were too small in Knoch's kits.

Is there any discussion of others finding this problem with Al's tops? Has anybody obtained the "John Kennedy" kit and installed it or measured it against the available Knoch top?

I have a phone call into Knoch today but as this note have not received a reply.

Hello Gene,

I spoke with John Kennedy about 2 months ago regarding the Al Knoch C2 convertible top fit. I had Al Knoch install a top on my '64 last year at Bloomington. It does not fit correctly and is way too tight when you attempt to fasten it down, even after letting it sit in the sun for several day and leaving the top up and fastened for a month per their instructions. I am getting ready to have a convertible top installed on a '65 and do not want the same problem. John Kennedy said that if you call Al Knoch and order a C2 top, that you need to ask for one fabricated using his (John Kennedy's) top pattern. When you call Al Knoch Interiors, ask for Dale, he handles all the convertible top install reservations and should be able to answer your questions.

Hope this helps.

James West

[Tom S.]

Re: Mid year soft top not fitting right

Don't hold your breath waiting for someone to call you back! I am willing to bet it won't happen!

[Gene M.]

Re: Mid year soft top not fitting right

Has anybody installed a "John Kennedy" pattern soft top on a mid year? How does it look? Any photos?
I will try calling Knoch again and ask for Dale.

Ages ago I used a Corvette America (I think them) top on a 67 and it fit good.
I contacted them and they now only market Al Knoch tops.

PS Tom, your right on on the phone call back, going on second day.

Jerry, your pictures didn't come thru.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Mid year soft top not fitting right

Gene,

Try it now, I just edited it.

[Gene M.]

Re: Mid year soft top not fitting right

Just as FYI. I talked to John Kennedy about his pattern. Seems that the tops that Al Knoch made to Johns pattern were not done correctly and John is contacting Knoch about correctly implementing his pattern to the kit Al Knoch offers. So I figure it will be some time yet before we are offered a good fitting C2 soft top. I will wait till the new version is offered.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Mid year soft top not fitting right

Hi Fellows;

I am following this discussion with great interest. I put on a Al Knoch top many years ago and it's fit is crappy, to say the least. I have not done anything to fix it mainly due to the fact that I only use the "top up" position when I run across some unexpected weather or the sun is too hot. It is mainly a top down car. I had reconditioned the frame myself and always thought it was my fault as I took out both pads at the same time and lost my cross bar spacing. But many of the same poor fit areas (sides) you describe are also present with mine. Actually, I think I leave it down at shows mainly because I am ashamed of it. I've also been looking into doing some interior upgrades (particularly the seats as my buns are sagging, etc.), but I am afraid to use Al Knoch as a source. His truck is always present at the shows and I have bought a few items which I have been less than pleased with (clear floor mats w/o nubs to grip carpet).
I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to print your input for my "Replace Top" file.

Thanks guys.

Stu Fox

[Gene M.]

Re: Mid year soft top not fitting right

Stuart,
I have found Corvette America to have real nice c1 seat covers. The foam cushions will require a little bit of clean up work. I find they fit well and look very original. Quality is very good. I have done all my own installs. It does take time to fit them correctly so don't rush. The only thing I don't care for are the reproduction hooks for anchor the covers to the frame, they are very weak metal. Reuse the original hooks.
Gene

[Henry S.]

Re: Mid year soft top not fitting right

Good topic,

Just wondered, does anyone from Al Knoch belong to or respond to anything here on the forum? Or are they selling enough or have the market cornered so they just don't care if customers are happy or not with the fit. I've been thinking of getting a dated black top for my 67 I'm just finishing but if no one is happy with their new ones I may just keep my saddle non-dated top and take the hit when I get it judged. I just can't believe someone wouldn't take enough pride in their product to try and fix it with this many unhappy campers. But that's just my opinion. Good luck to all that have bought and I hope something gets worked out for you.

Take care,
Shooter

[Stuart F.]

Re: Mid year soft top not fitting right

Well, they are from El Paso - so you can read into that what you will, but you probably can get better material and workmanship right across the border in Hoopy Town, least you could years back.

Stu

[Gene M.]

Re: Mid year soft top not fitting right

Shooter,
I would not say that Knoch organization doesn't care but three days later after I have called twice I have not received a response. In all fairness I would assume Knoch is over burden with calls from customers with ill fitting soft tops. It is my opinion that a NCRS team leader would have more success in gaining this suppliers attention than just me as Joe Doe customer. Unfortunate that we as consumers do not have alternate suppliers on soft tops that would attempt to satisfy NCRS judging requirements now.

I hope John Kennedy is successful getting Knoch to correctly implement the proper soft top pattern in timely manor.