Thought this might make a good sticky. Mods if you feel it worthy please feel free to make it one.


List of convertible top dealers and their prices

Chevrolet: http://www.topsonline.com/index.php?...100&CarID=2700
Pontiac: http://www.topsonline.com/index.php?...00&CarID=12100
Cost - $209.00 (Vinyl with plastic window)
Cost - $319.00 (Vinyl with glass window)
Cost - $339.00 (Stayfast with plastic window)
Cost - $449.00 (Stayfast with glass window)
Material - Vinyl, Stayfast
Probably best prices. Also carry’s tension cables for the top.

Http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Convertible...evrolet/Camaro
Cost - $206.95 to $414.95
Material – Vinyl & Stayfast


Http://www.convertibletopguys.com
Cost - $249.00 to $439.00
Material – Vinyl & Stayfast

http://www.jcwhitney.com/KEE-CONVERT...=&mediaCode=ZX
Cost - $379.99
Material – Vinyl plastic Window

http://www.classicindustries.com
Cost- $439.99
Material – Vinyl plastic window

Http://www.shadetreeonline.com
BIG money! - Note by okfoz - I could not find any tops on this site, only cleaners etc.

Hope it helps.

James

 

heres another in so cal http://robbinsautotopco.com/
i heard theirs is high quality.

 

I put on a robins top. very hi quality and it only took a long afternoon. Not bad for the 500 people around here wanted to put it on.

Any questions ask
it isnt hard

Ryan

 

how much was it?pics?

 

I put a Robbins top many years back on my '65 Le Mans. Outstanding quality, very heavy weight vinyl. It even had the provision for the 'zippered' rear window which, unfortunately, our 3rd gens. do not have.

 

There is a quote for a glass rear window at the top here. Has anyone seen this done?? I was always told that because of the fold in the middle of the window, we can't do that. Mine does fold right in the middle, so obviously glass wouldn't work.

 

the glass is narrower..... IE the window isnt as tall as the plastic..


it then folds just above and just below the window... the window itself never folds.

 

How close to cloth is Stayfast? I'm gonna need a new top this summer, so I will be seriously hunting with both fingers crossed. My budget being tight is an understatement!

-B

 

Stayfast is the name of the same, high quality stuff, as the orignal canvas (aka cloth) top

 

Originally my back seal (top to frame seam) came unglued, I'm told from shrinking, due to water, which I find strange, but also see this happening on another convertible (Camaro) in town, must be somewhat common. To my knowledge, having had the car when low miles, my top is original. It also suffered from snow and ice on the back window causing a brittle crack and then becoming too large to tape, I used clear vinyl on the inside for a second layer... to ebate immediate replacement, it has worked quite well. I never would have expected. Also below the tonneau cover, I keep towel and or chammois for any leaks, also does the job needed on a budget.

Getting OT, sorry
Bill

 

my top wasn't in bad shape but the linkage rubbed through in one spot on both sides. do any of these tops compensate for that with padding? and no ,i refuse to "just leave the top up".what's the point of having a convertible if you don't put the top down? ideas/input ,guys?

 

By linkage... are you referring to the folding parts on either side of the sail panels?
I had a bolt break just behind the top pass window portion...this was a bit of a hassle, but my mech tackled it with aplumb. I needed a special order via Chev dealership though IIRC
I have a pic of the area:
My top is stuck up as the trunk got hit..damn, eh?!?
Bill

 

I think I posted these here before but wasn't this board revamped and lost the old stuff? Seems page light where I've been
haha
Here's the front locking portion...with the flimsy plastic trim!

 

those holes make it look exactly like my top,i got my new top from a place called robbins top in camarillo,ca

 

mine with my zr1's

 

mine now with my zo6's

 

My inner plastic 'catch' sheet has holes and cracks now. The car WAS/IS covered but the snow rain predicted never happened...Yet. It's damn cold here though...fun working weather. The holes in the pass. sail panel area were patched up when purchased but they came off. Believe it or not, it never leaked in there too much. Problem area is around the trunk lid somewhere...appears to be the middle...and the left and right side near the front latches...where the top seam/ weatherstrip meets the bodywork/windshield.
This is a major problem during most and all rain events. It builds up in the center of the top and leaks down both sides... most notebly when clearing the collected water!
I would like to hear of similar experiences with verts. I had trouble with poor sunroof weatherstrip leaks too, but unlike my mom, who would swear off them, I love 'em to death! I'd take the opportunity to throw a factory one in my new Deville but it is not cost effective nor easy. It's a sim-con top! There is one example of a 87/88 Deville coupe as an actual 'vert! I was astounded at this find too. Lotsa oddball stuff out there
Bill

 

i'm ordering my EZ top this weekend. stay fast with glass. i'll let y'all know how it turns out. i think i'm having a shop put it on b/c i dont want to screw anything up

 

well some a-hole just knifed my top this past saturday, and stole my radio out of her... so I need to know how hard it is to get a new top put on, if I were to do it myself with say a stayfast and glass back window.. any info is a help. thanks.
-steve

 

I purchased a top from topsonline , seems to be the best deal. The top was 423.00 w/ Stayfast and the glass rear window vs. 679.00 from Robbins. It took about 2 weeks to get it but it arrived unhurt and was very well packaged. I'm happy.

 

+1 topsonline is the best deal out there!

 

That's the new top, right?

How does it fold down? Easy enough? Did you resue your old weather striping?

 

Yes, this is the new top (has the glass window). please NOTE: youhave to fold the rear seats down in order to put the top up or down. If you don't do that, then you will risk cracking the glass window. Once the rear seats are folded down it's as simple as pie...VERY EASY to do. sometimes you gotta give it a little bit of help getting the rear portion of the top down into it's compartment when you're putting it down, but like i said it's really easy. and yes, i reused the old weather stripping, i plan to buy new stuff once hawks gets the pieces that i need. currently they dont carry thepiece that i'm in need of

 

So if the top is down, you cannot have passengers in the back seat?

 

No, i should had worded that differently lol. You must only have the seats folded down while you're in the process of putting the top up or down. Once it's in place (either up or down) you can put the seats back up. It's just a matter of the rear part of the top not being able to move freely because the top of the rear seats are blocking it's path. sorry i hope that makes more sense...

 

Much more sense.

Thanks.

 

With the topsonline top and the glass window in the pics do you have to unzip it when you put it down? Is the top in the pics stayfast or vinyl?

 

Nope. There is no zipping on these tops whatsoever. I think BlueZee's is black stayfast but I can't be sure.

 

correct, no zipping whatsoever. and yes mine is a Stayfast top...which is just cloth..i dont really know why they called it stayfast though

 

Well, my new top was finally installed. I really like it and the fold down is easy.

I'll post pics soon.

 

how much of a difference is the top with a glass window compared to a plastic window as far as being able to see out the back? i know that the glass window is smaller but is it a big difference going from the plastic window to the glass window?

 

i need a new top to there is a crack in the plastic and has this rust crap from whre the top rubs onto the plastic when folded down...so the best price and quality would be topsonline, with stayfast and glass window? because i really want to get rid of the plastic, how much was it to get it installed bluezee28?

 

Has anybody replaced a headliner?? I have a 88 Iroc vert and am going to replace the top. I want to cover the frame at the same time.

 

With the top up, and looking in the rear view mirror, you will only be able to see MAYBE 1/2" of the top itself around the window. So 99% of your view will be through the glass. So basically, there's a small change in size but nothing too noticable that will hurt your driving ability.

 

I have had the topsonline stayfast with glass rear installed on mine since about 2001 or so. never had any problems and never had to worry about folding down the rear seats. I originally planned on wiring up a rear defrost but i went to college instead and put the car on hold. Hopefully soon i will have it done and let you know how it works.

 

When you buy a new top, does it come with just the cloth top or does it come with all new hardware, latches, etc... ? If it doesn't come with new latches/hardware and stuff, where can I get that stuff from?

 

Mine came with just the material, no hardware. I don't know where you can get it all as a package deal. Your best bet on hardware and such is going to be a junk yard or parts car.

 

Did you ever try to install a defrost on the window? Is there a kit that can be installed on the window ?

 

Has anyone seen a top from autotops.net the webpage with the firebirds are located at http://www.autotops.net/EBAY%20PAGES...ontiacpage.htm I am going to have to replace my top soon and wanted to know if anyone had tried this company. They are only asking $401 for a stayfast top with tinted glass back window, which is cheaper than other companies I have been able to locate. It's up to $425 for topsonline not the $399 this page lists.

 

Tampa Hurricane, how did your top work out, was the "autotop" a nice product?

 

Any one know who carries a replacement top for an Autoform 2 seater?

 

I doubt anyone, a Good upholstery shop should be able to make you a new one if you have one on there to copy... Its no different than seat covers, just different material...

John

 

BlueZee28: It's been a couple years since you've installed the topsonline vert top. How's it holding up? Has the glass been scratched or damaged? Are you still satisfied with it? I'm wanting a new top and I would like to go with the glass, but the top shops around here are trying to discourage the use of a glass window top, they say the glass gets scratched or damaged easily.

 

Thank you for all this information. It was very helpful for me.

 

Yea it's been a few years since I had it installed and it still looks brand new. I don't know why a shop would say glass would stretch? It can be broken easily if not operated correctly, like how myself and others have explained in various threads in this forum. But if you take our advice when opening and closing the top you will be just fine.


I still recommend the glass window StayFast top. I will support it till the day I die. It's a great piece and well worth the (relatively low) cost.

 

Hey the links in the first post for topsonline dont work

 

Well, I read this sticky through and went with the topsonline.com stayfast with the glass window recommended by bluezee28. What a great top! High quality, great fit, and great view through that back window. It's the top I recommend now also.

 

anyone have a suggestion for the material for a new top if its going to see snow? and have to be stored outside? thanks for the help

 

Welcome to the site.You should be fine with the pinpoint vinyl.Here's a link to them on our site if you would like to check out options.

If you need help,let the sales rep know your from Thirdgen.org

Camaro Convertible Top

 

does anyone know the technical name for the plastic piece that goes around the convertible top, right next to the latches to roll down the top its u shaped.....and where can i find it???thanks!!!