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t-top bag type question

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Old May 27, 2006 | 07:24 PM
  #1  
Z's r Best's Avatar
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From: Chesterfield, VA
Car: '86 IROC, black and sharp
Engine: 305 tpi, bone stock
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 pos w/rear db
t-top bag type question

Why is there a difference in t-top bags? My 83 Z28 and my son's 91 RS have the envelop type bag with the velcro at the top to hold the flap shut (I don't lilke this type of bag as the t-tops are more difficult to get in/out of the bag). Both 86 Irocs and a wrecked 88 Formula I bought for parts have the zipper style t-top bags (which work great till a zipper gives up). Anyone know why there is a difference, or if one type was "early" and one "later", etc.
I know, curious about something that really doesn't matter, but curious still.
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Old Jun 1, 2006 | 09:41 PM
  #2  
Z's r Best's Avatar
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From: Chesterfield, VA
Car: '86 IROC, black and sharp
Engine: 305 tpi, bone stock
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 pos w/rear db
Did I put this in the wrong place?
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Old Jun 2, 2006 | 12:26 AM
  #3  
Belker's Avatar
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From: Morgantown, WV
I bought a used '91 RS. It came with a zippered T-top bag. The bag looks original and has the instructions inside but doesn't have the GM logo on the outside (like I usually see). I haven't seen the velcro design.
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Old Jun 2, 2006 | 12:33 AM
  #4  
xlwhellraiser's Avatar
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From: colorado
Car: 1992 Trans/am convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 drum WS6
There is a way to fix those zippers. Pm me if you need to know how to do it.
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Old Jun 2, 2006 | 11:40 PM
  #5  
lonsal's Avatar
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From: Hacienda Heights, CA
Car: 90 RS 'Vert, 88 IROC-Z, 88 Firebird
Engine: 305 ci tbi, 305 ci tpi, 350 ci tpi
Transmission: WC-T5, WC-T5, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.45, 3.27, 3.27
In my case the threads holding the zipper to the bag went bad from age and heat. The zipper itself was fine as was the bag. I had mine repaired at a Dry Cleaners. They often have the heavy-duty sewing machine that is needed to sew the zipper back to the naugahide bag.

Lon
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 08:29 AM
  #6  
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From: Dallas/Fort-Worth
Car: 1988 Camaro IROC-Z
Engine: 350 TPI (L98)
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt 3.45
Originally Posted by lonsal
In my case the threads holding the zipper to the bag went bad from age and heat. The zipper itself was fine as was the bag. I had mine repaired at a Dry Cleaners. They often have the heavy-duty sewing machine that is needed to sew the zipper back to the naugahide bag.

Lon
My bag did the same thing. Thanks for the good idea about having the dry cleaners sew it on.
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 09:03 AM
  #7  
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From: Rockledge, PA
Maybe the velcro bags came with the aftermarket Cars and Customs t-tops.

-Jim
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 10:09 AM
  #8  
lonsal's Avatar
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From: Hacienda Heights, CA
Car: 90 RS 'Vert, 88 IROC-Z, 88 Firebird
Engine: 305 ci tbi, 305 ci tpi, 350 ci tpi
Transmission: WC-T5, WC-T5, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.45, 3.27, 3.27
Originally Posted by conlinj
Maybe the velcro bags came with the aftermarket Cars and Customs t-tops.

-Jim
Nope. GM had two versions velcro and zippered (actually more than two if you count the various different embossed logos on the outside). I have both a factory t-top and a C&C aftermarket t-top car. The C&C lacks several important things that a factory t-top car have such as the clips to secure the bag to the car. C&C conversions also don't have the wedge blocks in the door frame that factory t-top and convertibles have. These help to limit flexing of the chassis. I've since added them to my aftermarket car.

Lon
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 09:38 PM
  #9  
Z's r Best's Avatar
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From: Chesterfield, VA
Car: '86 IROC, black and sharp
Engine: 305 tpi, bone stock
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 pos w/rear db
I had been thinking about taking one of the zipper bags (busted zipper on both sides) to a shoe repair shop to see if they could replace the zipper. I hadn't thought about a dry cleaning shop, but I'll call a couple of them as well. I like the zipper bag better as it is easier to get the the t-tops in and out of. The velcro bag just won't close on two t-tops either.
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 10:37 PM
  #10  
Zepher's Avatar
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From: Norfolk, VA. USA
Car: 86 Trans Am, 88 Formula
Engine: 95LT4, 305TPI
Transmission: T56, T5
The velcro bag is great for my Lexan tops since they are so light and easy to put into the bag.
i've got a couple of the zippered bags as well and the zippers are coming apart like the ones above.
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