New convertible top

[D S.]

I need a new soft top for my '70 so I called Al Knoch and they have a soft top kit for around $250. I then called a local trim shop to get a quote on installing it. $450-$550 was the quote. Is that a standard installation fee? How hard is it to do myself?

Thanks,
Scott Sims
Texas Chapter

[Don L.]

Re: New convertible top

Sounds a lot like what I paid 8 years ago, so I think it's fair.

If you are planning on having the car judged, spend the extra $$$ and get the SMALL bead/seal across the front. I think it's called the "Kennedy Top"(?). In essence, the vinyl bead/seal across the front at the w/shield header is significantly smaller in diameter than Knoch's standard top. The standard top comes with deductions. I took a 3 point hit for the bead and another 2 point deduct for a non-paper care tag at the 2011 National Convention.

[Joe L.]

Re: New convertible top

I need a new soft top for my '70 so I called Al Knoch and they have a soft top kit for around $250. I then called a local trim shop to get a quote on installing it. $450-$550 was the quote. Is that a standard installation fee? How hard is it to do myself?

Thanks,
Scott Sims
Texas Chapter

Scott-----


I'd be surprised if you could get someone to install one of these tops for less than $450. Personally, I would not even attempt to install one of these tops myself. The only way one gets good at this is through experience and you're not likely to do enough of these to get the experience you need to get yours done right.

[D S.]

Re: New convertible top

I'll bet the coupe owners are smiling. I agree that it is not something I would want to take on. I'm at the point in my life that the most difficult thing I want to do is decide the color of the top. I just didn't think it would be that expensive to just have a new top installed.
Thanks, all, for your input.

[Ken C.]

Re: New convertible top

decent price quoted. Looking at doing my top and getting quotes in the 600 plus range. Going to see what Al. charges when i does 2014 Regionals here in Fl.

[D S.]

Re: New convertible top

The good things about posting questions and comments on the TDB is that across-the-board opinions, suggestions, and comments are offered. Don mentioned a care tag and small bead at the header. All seem to agree that the installation cost is reasonable. Those are helpful comments.
I was going to get the optional tag mentioned in Al Knoch's Web site but I thought that was a date code tag. I am not so much driven at this time to have the car judged as to having things be correct on it. Just in case I do have a momentary lapse of sanity and have it judged.

[Michael G.]

Re: New convertible top

Nothing ventured............I did my own 2 years ago after getting guotes from $450 to $650. Most shops don't see one these (mid year) tops once in a 'blue moon' so the decision was made to install my own. After purchasing a Knoch top, rented his top install video (invaluable). Two days later...botta boom, botta bing, done! If you have the skill set, it's a doable project. Take your time, measure twice, cut once. During judging my top compared equally with any of the "professionally" installed tops. As mentioned when purchasing you'll be getting the 1/2" bead piping across front of top. If you want "correct" you'll need to ask to the 3/8" piping considered correct during judging.

[Don L.]

Re: New convertible top

The good things about posting questions and comments on the TDB is that across-the-board opinions, suggestions, and comments are offered. Don mentioned a care tag and small bead at the header. All seem to agree that the installation cost is reasonable. Those are helpful comments.
I was going to get the optional tag mentioned in Al Knoch's Web site but I thought that was a date code tag. I am not so much driven at this time to have the car judged as to having things be correct on it. Just in case I do have a momentary lapse of sanity and have it judged.

The tag I mentioned is the "Care Instructions" tag. The date stamping is in the rear window. It has a similar format to the side glass and windshield. Of course you'll have to communicate what date you want when ordering.

Hope this helps!

[D S.]

Re: New convertible top

Thanks, Michael, for the do-it-yourself encouragement and photos. Nice Corvette! Since mine is green I considered a tan top (currently black) but am concerned about upkeep so I may stay with black. Yours looks great with that color of top. Where was the Corvette event in that photo?

[Michael G.]

Re: New convertible top

Thanks, Michael, for the do-it-yourself encouragement and photos. Nice Corvette! Since mine is green I considered a tan top (currently black) but am concerned about upkeep so I may stay with black. Yours looks great with that color of top. Where was the Corvette event in that photo?

Thank you for the compliment. Let me encourage you to go with tan, less than 500 got the color in '66, probably the same for your year. Minimal upkeep. Tan would look great with green. Black being dark would feel it's going to show most everything being (no disrespect to you dark top guys ). It's been a novelity to have a top this color as most are white, then black.

Pics were taken at the Joplin, MO Regional 2011. 1st time held there in many years....unsure if event center was wiped out in the Joplin '11 tornado. So that you can get the gist of top installation realizing you can do the same for yours, here's a few taken at the Frisco, TX Regional Oct. '11.

[Terry M.]

Re: New convertible top

The Joplin Convention Center survived the tornado of 2011. That tornado, about two weeks after our meet, passed about three miles north of the Convention Center -- right through the heart of the town.

[D S.]

Re: New convertible top

Thank you for the compliment. Let me encourage you to go with tan, less than 500 got the color in '66, probably the same for your year. Minimal upkeep. Tan would look great with green. Black being dark would feel it's going to show most everything being (no disrespect to you dark top guys ). It's been a novelity to have a top this color as most are white, then black.

Pics were taken at the Joplin, MO Regional 2011. 1st time held there in many years....unsure if event center was wiped out in the Joplin '11 tornado. So that you can get the gist of top installation realizing you can do the same for yours, here's a few taken at the Frisco, TX Regional Oct. '11.

I was at the Frisco event in 2011. Me, not the Corvette. I was in one of Terry's seminars. From the photos you sent you look familiar. Here is a photo I took of a C-3 and the Corvette behind it appears to look like yours.
Frisco 2011.JPG

[Michael G.]

Re: New convertible top

I was at the Frisco event in 2011. Me, not the Corvette. I was in one of Terry's seminars. From the photos you sent you look familiar. Here is a photo I took of a C-3 and the Corvette behind it appears to look like yours.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]45364[/ATTACH]

Good memories, nice facility. The RED carpet was something else! I managed to make it back to Frisco Oct '12 as an observer......much less pressure.

[D S.]

Re: New convertible top

Good memories, nice facility. The RED carpet was something else! I managed to make it back to Frisco Oct '12 as an observer......much less pressure.

Because I live in the metroplex I have been attending the NCRS Texas Chapter shows for years from Waco to Killeen to Frisco. They put on great presentations!

[Edward J.]

Re: New convertible top

Scott, I like Mike did my C2, The convertible tops are not to bad to do when you watch Al Knoch video, I watched about 4 or 5 times, only because I wanted to be sure I knew what I was doing. I have NEVER done this type of job before, I can tell you I was pleased with the results. and I was in no way rushed to do it, So I made sure the I painted the frame, replaced all w/strips and adjusted the windows to seal properly.And as it was posted there really are not alot of people around that have the know how of experience, so there maybe some sub par jobs done on the tops.

Also, Al Konch does put the step by step instrutions and measurements of the bows in the box with top materials.