Alright, So it's definitely time to replace my current one. You can't see through the backwindow... well you can if you look through the giant gaping hole in it

So the most obvious place it would seem to get one would be at Hawks.

http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/camarofirebird1990-92convertibletopcloth.aspx

But for $600? It's really expensive!

Fbodymotorsports has em for only $385 (or $485 for matching headliner..not sure what that is)

http://www.youngsfbody.com/inc/sdetail/1725

Some other places I found them at.

YearOne
$399
http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/f...=G20AD403&trk=

Classic Industries
$490
1st
2nd

I guess my question is.. who here has gotten a new top and where from? What were your experiences? And what do you recommend?

I figure you probably get what you pay for though..

 

Is the hawks one even new? (didnt see it saying it was used, but the fact that it uses the word "original" to describe it would make me think so).

 

I decided a new top was something I wouldnt attempt to install myself, even though I was told it wasnt all that tough. I called just about every apolstry shop in the state (Connecticut) and decided to pay through the rear to have them order and install the top for me. (A nice top from a place like Robbins will run you $280-460 depending on whether you want vinyl or cloth.)
Price quotes for top, labor, and taxes (in Connecticut) ranged from $1600-2500 depending on manufacturer and options (headliner, cloth, binding choice, glass window). My top, cloth w/cloth binding and glass window was $2270.00 installed. Not to mention the cost for new weatherstriping... And yes, I checked with many other shops in CT and RI before I got screwed.

 

Man... I've been considering that too.. Just having a shop deal with all the BS. But damn that's a lot of money. I'd rather just buy it myself and then let them do it, maybe save some money that way. I just don't know if i'd be good installing it myself.. Also I'm not exactly sure on some of the measurements they ask for.


I'm gonna try emailing hawks, asking if that's new or not..

 

Again, that was the hassle that I went through with my top, but I seen a guy on here from New Hampshire who bought a top for like $150 online and had a shop put it on for $360! I would call up some shops and look into it before you decide to do it yourself. Maybe labor is cheaper where you live?
The measurements they ask for when ordering are: the length of the rear window as measured from the base (i believe mine was 42 1/2") and then they run the tape measure from drivers window to passengers window across the top. the tape measure is placed at the top corner where the edge of the window glass is located and my measurement was 50". There's 3 different top measurements depending on the year the car was made(as I was told) 86-88, 89, and 91-92. I guess the frames changed 3 times?

 

I'm 17 and I was able to do it myself however I bought the glue off a shop that does tops. I recommend you try these and I have heard that you should go with the glass windows not the vinyl but glass is t expensive for a 17 yo.

https://www.topsonline.com//index.php?DepartmentID=100&CarID=2700&CarmodelID=351000

DO NOT get Vinyl. It looks cheap, ugly and weak. Stayfast is the best way to go...

 

My window must be the vinyl one right now... How does the top work with the window being glass?

 

Here's a link to our top section too. Camaro Convertible tops

If anyone needs a guide emailed to them on how to properly measure the stock top,just PM me with your email address and I shoot it over to yah.

Since these conversions were done all over the place,I realize it may be a little tricky getting the correct top.

T

 

The Vinyl was OEM and from what I understand the glass was not an option. The glass windows, you have to put it down carefully so it does not scratch.

 

I had a shop do my top (MN) and it was just under $1500 out the door. Best money I ever spent. It fits perfect, and I didn't have to do a thing. I was mostly concerned about the fit and quality of the install, so I looked around for a shop that specializes in convertible tops.

Side note: I have seen what an amateur install looks like. One of my drivers had a 1991 redone in FL, and the top didn't fit right afterwards... The top was too tight and wouldn't lay flat on the windshield like it should have, and when released it was crooked to boot (drivers side was an inch above the pass side). Also the rear bow didnt lay right as it should..

 

The rear glass window is smaller than the plastic one. That way the fold that does occur in the plastic window is avoided with the glass one. Rear visibility is slightly less with glass but they do look way better. Other pros for glass . . .
- you can tint it.
- they don't become brittle.
- they don't cloud-up and become hazy.
- they don't scratch nearly as easy.
- they offer a little more security than the plastic.

 

Wow, glass ones sound great. Mine came all foggy and scratched like you said... I might have to look in one of those.

 

I just fitted a new Tops Online stayfast with plastic window and it's perfect. Good quality and service.

Lookup BlueZ28 if you want to see a car that has the glass rear window.. he has one. I think he says that you must fold the seats down to put ths top down..something like that.

Bungle

 

As Bungle said, you do have to fold the rear seats down (or at least unlatch them from the "up" position a few inches), in order to get the glass window top up and down. The window will catch on the top of the backs of the seats and you risk breaking the glass if you don't fold them down just a little bit. It's really not a huge issue at all.

I've got some pictures of the top in my photo album. There's a link to it in my signature. It's the StayFast top from topsonline.com

 

I had a look at your pictures, very nice! I'll definitely consider the glass option now

 

I did mine myself, first try. The top that was on the car when I bought it was too big and never fit ( the windows alway hit it). When I bought my top I had to measure because there were so many sizes. I went with vinyl because it was a daily driver and sat outside. The shop were I bought the top gave me glue. Since it was the correct size it went on very easy. Only took about half a day. Good luck.

 

What kind of shape is the rest of the top in? Replacing just the window is an option if the rest of the top is decent. I had an upholestry shop replace just the window on an 89 Iroc vert I had years back. If I recall correctly it was around $200, although this was 10+ years ago.

 

i have an 88 iroc that im installing a new top on it today myself. its a tops online stayfast top with the plastic window. im also going to be replacing the weatherstripping. theres a install techpage at southeastfbody.org. im doing all the work myself and will take pics and post up.

 

It seems pretty good.. I've thought about that but wasn't sure how viable an option it was. The plastic is toast so it'd have to be new stufff...can they do that?