72 Hardtop

[Nick M.]

Does anyone know of a supplier of storage stands for a hardtop for a 72? Also, over the years I remember seeing some type of storage rack that I believe either mounts from the ceiling or is raised up via some type of pulley system in order to get it off the floor. If anyone has had experience with that type system, I would appreciate hearing from you. Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 Hardtop

Does anyone know of a supplier of storage stands for a hardtop for a 72? Also, over the years I remember seeing some type of storage rack that I believe either mounts from the ceiling or is raised up via some type of pulley system in order to get it off the floor. If anyone has had experience with that type system, I would appreciate hearing from you. Thanks

Nick------


I'm almost sure that suppliers like Mid America, Corvette Central and Ecklers carry the hard-top storage stands about which you inquire. I'll bet they are all from the same manufacturing source.

The "rope and pulley" system is also available from the same suppliers. I bought one once and found it to be almost totally useless. I never even used it once; just too awkward and unwieldy. Plus, the thought of having my top suspended and stored from the garage roof with this thing and, for one reason or another, crashing to the floor was too much to worry about.

[Jack H.]

Re: 72 Hardtop

I agree with Joe... Not only are the hoist systems reasonably ackward to use, they suspend the HT via straps whose long term usage 'bites' into the HT weatherstripping.

On the floor stands, they do work. BUT, I really question the value of a stand vs. simply nailing/screwing a 2x4 into the garage floor near a convenient wall to keep the HT from sliding out & falling over!

Plus, you'll find HT dust covers too. But, a used bedsheet that's about to be discarded serves the same purpose with a LOT less out-of-pocket....

[Nick M.]

Re: 72 Hardtop

You can't beat the practical thinking that you guys bring to the table. Although on the surface it seems like a nice concept to suspend the hardtop from the rafters, the thought, as Joe says, of it hanging over your head is not very appealing. An d the reality of it all is that for the most part, once a hardtop is removed from the car, it probably will not be reinstalled until the car is sold so the 2 X 4 concept may be the best approach. Although, I must add that I once had a hardtop for another non - corvette car and with limited room in my garage, it was a blessing having it on wheels so that I could move it around when I needed to.

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 Hardtop

You can't beat the practical thinking that you guys bring to the table. Although on the surface it seems like a nice concept to suspend the hardtop from the rafters, the thought, as Joe says, of it hanging over your head is not very appealing. An d the reality of it all is that for the most part, once a hardtop is removed from the car, it probably will not be reinstalled until the car is sold so the 2 X 4 concept may be the best approach. Although, I must add that I once had a hardtop for another non - corvette car and with limited room in my garage, it was a blessing having it on wheels so that I could move it around when I needed to.

Nick-----


Your last sentence describes the ONLY really good reason for buying one of these hard-top storage racks----the need to move it around regularly. Very few really get into that need unless they have extremely limited storage space.

[Jim T.]

Re: 72 Hardtop

I have stored my 68's hardtop covered by a bedsheet in a bedroom over the garage for over 17 years now. Sure am glad it is not in the garage, there was room for it 17 years ago, but not now.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 72 Hardtop

I never use my hardtop and I set it on top of a plywood frame I built to hold it level and hoist it with a hardware store heavy duty rope fall. I have four chains coming down from the ceiling with two 2X4. One 2X4 on each two chains that are pushed out and swing under the plywood so the rack is supported by the chains not the rope fall. Its out of harms way and been their for years. The way Corvettes are used today the only person who wants a hardtop is someone who hasen't had one in their way a few years.

[R N.]

Re: 72 Hardtop

I took an idea that another member suggested and I believe he also wrote an article for The Restorer about his idea. I'm sorry I don't remember his name.

I screwed two HD hooks 48" apart into the studs in my garage. I then purchase a piece of metal round rod threaded on both ends long enough to pass through the two mounting tabs on the hard top. I double-nutted the threaded rod as so the rod would not be able to slip out of the hard top tabs and then I hung it on the hooks.

IMO, it's better than one of these carts for the hard top as it doesn't take up valuable floor space.

Good luck.

[R N.]

Re: 72 Hardtop

Here's the original post...

Re: Midyear Hardtop Hoist
Jim Weeks <Send E-Mail> -- Wednesday, 22 June 2005, at 12:40 p.m.

Chris, I wrote an article back in the 1980's for the NCRS Restorer about my method of storing the hardtop. Simply put, I took a 5/16" or 3/8" steel rod about 50" long threaded at both ends and ran it through both side brackets of the hardtop. I then put flat washers and nuts on both ends to hold the rod in place. Next I installed 3/8" hooks in the wall at a reasonable height and apart enough to catch the rod just inside the hardtop brackets to safely support it. Then with the top standing on its header and the window facing out, I hung the rod on the hooks. I've used this method for almost 30 years with several tops because it keeps the top safely out of the way. Good luck. Jim - Member #2978