My question is:

Can a glass repair shop replace the T-Top glass with the same type of glass? I think the stamp on the glass is called Lexmar or something. I'm trying to keep it as original as possible.

 

The key fobs shouldn't be hard to change if I remember right I changed both mine when I had my 87 camaro in 30 min total

 

That top is a Lexan (I know John is guna kill me on the correct name of it) type Top, not glass. Glass would have made a mess because they are safety glass and wont crack they shatter into tiny pieces.
You will prolly need to find a new one. The lock is a easy swap to the new Top.
I saw a set of new in boxs NOS ones forsale not to long ago.

 

I know the car is low miles, but if it were me, I would replace them with the glass tops. They are easier to maintain and easier to keep looking perfect. The glass tops are an exact fit. Just move your lock assembly over to the glass set and call it a day.

 

Are the lexan t-tops even factory? I thought they where all glass and if he's wanting to keep it original go back to glass

 

yes they were factory

 

So let me get this right...
They made two different type's of T-Tops?
1. Glass
2. Lexan ??


Where can I find new NOS T-Tops for sale?

 

I thought acrylic tops were exclusive only to '91-'92 cars?? This is the first pre-'91 car I've heard of with original acrylic tops.

 

My memory is fading as I age and I can't remember when the "plastic" tops were available. The thing is, the car has the RPO code CC1 for the TTops. It does not state anywhere on your window sticker or SPID sheet that the TTops are plastic, so for peace of mind, you could get the glass tops, and still consider the car original. Who would know, other than you.

Since both options were GM, the body is the exact same. GM had the "plastic" tops built to the specifications of the glass tops, so transferring the latch/lock assembly should be straightforward

 

I think the word i was looking for was Acrylic. Thats what they were made of.
starting in 89 on the TTAs, formula 350s,birds with 350s and maybe 305 5speeds got the Acrylic Ttops?
I'm not sure about the camaros?
Glass is easier to take care of for sure, I have cars with both types but I would still try and find a NOS set of plastic tops since its not your daily driver.. I'll see if I can find them.. Just search and search..

I'm sending you a PM found a old post of NOS stuff 4 sale, dont know if he still has em or not tho..

 

You're correct, they are acrylic, not Lexan, as Lexan is the GE name brand for acrylic. I will edit my post above.

I'm really curious about these being acrylic tops though, as even my '90 has the glass ones and this is the first pre-'91 Camaro I've heard of with acrylic tops.

 

They also had some cars sent to cars and customs to get ttops installed. Noticable difference though, the tops are a different size. I have a set of them in my garage.

 

Well these cars were made on the same line. The birds were getting the parts sooo I'm thinking it could have happened and prolly 2 more than 1 camaro ?!?! I think a bunch got swapped out with glass under warranty..

TrueIroc I pm'd ya a link to a guy selling 2 NOS sets still n boxes, one glass an one plastic..

 

The stamping on the T-top is as follows:

Pt. No. 10141490
LexAR Coat 100 TM
DOT 435 AS5
M-189 0489
LEXAMAR CORP.

So these are the acrylic type T-tops.

All camaro's from 82-92 are the same size T-Tops and would fit, but come in Glass and LexAR Coat Acrylic.
But what about Firebirds, are Firebirds T-tops the same size and compatible as the camaro T-tops or are they any different?

 

I checked out that link.. but it says there's small pins and large pins.

What years were the small pins and what years are the large pins??
Not sure which one I got...

 

Like my post above says both cars were made on the same line and they use the same Tops..
All the plastic tops are large pins.. that I've seen. They will all interchange. until you get a older latch type..

 

Ok thanks TTOP350.

So in your own opinion which T-tops are the better pair?

The Glass or the Plastic?

I'd hate to get one pair, when the other one will hold up better.
Which is stronger and less likely to crack the glass or plastic?

 

The glass is stronger and cleaner looking but I like the look of the plastic even if the center of them suck out from under the TTop center support at 160mph or so.. lol

 

Just think logically. You want to keep the parts original on your car for as long as possible. The plastic tops WILL fade/crack/warp/ect over time. (sorry, thats just what plastic does) If you were to spend the same money on BRAND NEW glass tops (given you can find them) you can take very special care of them and they will never go bad or need replacing. Just think about the long run.
Personally, I love my glass tops. Couldn't imagine for one second having plastic.
keo

 

The dealers replaced the acrylic ones with glass ones when they came in under warranty. Get the glass ones. Sunroof doctor sells the glass brand new.

 

I know a guy with a virgin '91 RS LO3 / 700R-4, his tops are acrylic.

 

Thanks Keo.

I think you said it the best way for me to understand.
Glass it is....
Tim

 

Thank you

 

Tim, be sure you look for a set that does not have a plastic frame around the edge of the glass. The early TTop cars had that plastic door edging along the sides of the ttops for extra edge protection. The 89s didn't have that edge. Look on eBay for some pics to see what I'm talking about.

Also, don't worry about the pin style. You can swap the entire latch and lock system from your existing to whatever set you get. This will allow you to leave the latching parts at the correct setting on the body.

 

.

 

From my understanding...

Part # 10141490 is Acrylic T-top

And

Part # 10119997 is Glass T-top

 

Don't forget about Craig's List. I've seen several listings for very nice T-tops near where I live for $75-$100 for the pair. I've found that for items that are expensive to ship (T-tops, bumpers, dash pads, etc), not only do you obviously save on shipping but the price is cheaper too than on Ebay. You've got to be more patient, but items will come up over time.

 

This is my understanding too at least from what I have read on here. The way I remember is all f-bodies from 89 on got plastic tops and there was a tsb and whenever there was a problem the fix was to put glass tops in, apparently this was pretty common since there are a lot of 89-92 cars with glass tops. Also for what it's worth good call on the glass tops I have plastic in mine and they look horrible although completely original they still don't leak but they look horrible. I have heard that the reason they went with plastic tops was because they sealed better due to them flexing a little bit, I really don't know if this is true or not but I did hear that (must not have worked that great if they replaced them with glass anyway), there's a good possibility they were cheaper to produce too. I did see one thread on here a while back where a guy did get his plastic tops looking good but it took a lot of work with buffing with several different polishes and when he was all done they still looked like they were shattered from the inside.

 

If you can, why not get a NOS set of each? Glass for driving, acrylic for originality/shows. If I had such a clean, original car, I'd probably be slightly bothered if I switched to the glass tops, knowing the car didn't actually come with them, even if they are the better top.

 

I called sunroof doctor the other day and they DO NOT sell Factory glass T-tops. They Only sell aftermarket T-tops, which are a totally different size and will not fit factory styles.

 

Look at the edge of this ttop. You can see the "door edge" molding that protects the edge of the glass. You do not want these for your car to be correct.

 

Are you talking about the side where it meets the passenger window...or

the sides where it meets the front and back of the roof?

 

Sounds like a good idea.. but I don't have that kind of money. And I know for a fact that acrylic will crack in time.

 

The front and back. Look carefully at the picture I posted and you'll see that the glass is trimmed. You will want the solid glass without the trim.

 

That sucks - they should change their website because it is misleading. Sorry about the bad lead.

 

My 1989 Acrylic T-tops have the plastic trim on them.
Why would 1989 have trim on the acrylic tops, but not the glass?

 

The acrylic tops need the trim for support and strength, the glass doesn't.

The trim on the acrylic tops isn't the same kind of trim as on the glass. The glass trim is more of an edge protector. The 89s didn't have the edge protector on the glass tops.

 

My car came with the acrylic tops but I changed to the glass ones. They look much better imo and I shattered my passenger top.