Bit the bullet and dropped $1800 on a new top install. Ugh. Oh well, the car will be that much more complete. The existing top looked great but had shrunk and apparently was no longer save-able.

 

if you can get the old top. I need one for measurement purposes.

let me know.

Thanks,
Chris

 

No idea if that price is in-line or not, but years ago, I helped my late older brother install a new convertible top on the '67 Corvette roadster he was frame-off restoring. And while he was an extreme perfectionist, I was still very surprised at all the measuring/fitting/re-measuring/re-fitting/fiddling involved in getting the top to fit correctly and look just-right; certainly not a job for the average do-it-yourselfer.

 

If that's for the top and the install, i'd say it's on the low side.....

 

Top and install. Glass window and reputable shop. It sounded high to me too. I found the tops for $800. $1,000 to install but I do know it is not a typical DIY job.

Chris84TA, I will ask to retain the old top FYI.

 

Are you happy w/ the job? I see a lot of 3Rd gen F Bodies have tops pulling up where the rear bow meets the body. How is yours? What, if any, other parts were replaced w/ the top? IE Weatherstrip. Did the frame need painting? My 89 needs a top and I am considering doing it myself, w/ a helper (wife). Approx. $1000 labor, two guy, 8 hours, I suppose? Not too bad for cali. Photos would be nice.

 

Thanks, I am hoping that just a few mods will make it fit my 84, but don't wanna drop full price for an experiment. If it works, I will purchase a new one to do the final mods to.

Thanks,
Chris

 

Pics!

 

That's what it costs for the top and install? Ouch, I didn't expect that much!

 

It goes in Monday and will take 3-days to a week. I will put up plenty of pics. The shop has a lot of experience so I am hopeful they will get it right. My current top looks like it shrunk all over. The sides behind the door windows is pulled up and curled at the bottom and pulled apart on both sides at the stitched seams. Also, to close the top there is a lot of tension between the front and back and often when I drive the back pops out of its latch. I did try to stretch it in the sun with some improvement.

 

I did most of the prep/removal during the week after work. Maybe 1-2 hrs a day and it still took me all weekend (8-10 hrs/day) to install mine, but it is do-able.The top comes oversized so you have to trim it where it attaches/glues to the frame. Installing the headliner was slightly easier.

 

Best top video, IMO. What say yous?