Convertibles Discussed here are problems and solutions to convertible specific questions, including difficult to find part numbers and other convertible tech help.

Convertible top replacement

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 7, 2023 | 02:52 PM
  #1  
PTS's Avatar
PTS
Thread Starter
Junior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 69
Likes: 6
From: Media, PA
Car: 89 Vert Camaro
Engine: 3.8SFI Turbo
Transmission: 200R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Convertible top replacement

http://www.germanexinc.com/convertib...ast-p-126.html

Anyone know anything about this company? Looking for a new top, Half the cost of TOPSONLINE.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2023 | 03:29 PM
  #2  
chazman's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 9,937
Likes: 636
From: Chicagoland
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: Convertible top replacement

Following...
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2023 | 03:51 PM
  #3  
Roorancher's Avatar
Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 354
Likes: 142
From: central Texas
Car: 91 TA Vert WS6-94 TA Vert
Engine: 5.0/5.7 LT1
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73-3.42
Re: Convertible top replacement

The small blue print up at the top of the page in the link to the website says "Twillfast."
Both my tops (on my 91 TA Vert and my 94 TA Vert,) are Haartz "Stayfast" Cloth, and I wonder if "twillfast" might be the cheaper alternative. Worth looking in to.

I cannot tell you what it cost to put the top on the 91, because I'd have to do it when I got home this evening and look at the records, but in November I paid $1575 out the door with a glass defog window, 2 piece top on my 94. Haartz Stayfast Cloth.

Just a word of advice.....There are some YT videos that make it look easy to do....but IMO, this is a job best left to the experts.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2023 | 01:52 AM
  #4  
yankeecarman's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 21
From: Melbourne Australia but from South Carolina
Car: 1991 Trans Am convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto
Re: Convertible top replacement

I have the stayfast top from Tops on Line and I think you couldn't do better that theirs. I have had my top for approx 12 years. No problems.
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2023 | 07:44 PM
  #5  
84 1LE's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 6,643
Likes: 403
From: Oyth
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Re: Convertible top replacement

How much did they quote you? (PM if you dont wanna post). I like they have a blue (color) option.
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2023 | 08:11 PM
  #6  
PTS's Avatar
PTS
Thread Starter
Junior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 69
Likes: 6
From: Media, PA
Car: 89 Vert Camaro
Engine: 3.8SFI Turbo
Transmission: 200R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Convertible top replacement

https://www.ebay.com/itm/29548027735...mis&media=COPY
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2023 | 07:39 AM
  #7  
okfoz's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,293
Likes: 195
From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: Convertible top replacement

If you are looking for originality, that one does not quite look right.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2023 | 12:10 PM
  #8  
84 1LE's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 6,643
Likes: 403
From: Oyth
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Re: Convertible top replacement

What makes it not quite right? Is it a cosmetic or quality issue, or both?

Last edited by 84 1LE; Sep 13, 2023 at 12:56 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2023 | 12:27 PM
  #9  
Roorancher's Avatar
Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 354
Likes: 142
From: central Texas
Car: 91 TA Vert WS6-94 TA Vert
Engine: 5.0/5.7 LT1
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73-3.42
Re: Convertible top replacement

I'd have to say both. From the picture, it looks too shiny, the cutout for the rear window looks kinda funky in the corners, and the seams are only single stiched.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2023 | 12:58 PM
  #10  
84 1LE's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 6,643
Likes: 403
From: Oyth
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Re: Convertible top replacement

Just noticed the seller is called morethantops, but in the first link it's germanex. Are these even the same sellers?
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2023 | 08:43 PM
  #11  
F-body-fan's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 948
Likes: 26
From: Green Bay, WI
Re: Convertible top replacement

I find it odd that the seller has pictures of the "Chinese knock offs" showing all the things wrong with those,
but no good pictures of what they are selling. I would like to install a new top on the 89 someday as it has the rub holes in the sail panel area.
But for how much work it would be to replace, I hope to find as close to original as possible. I installed a Kee top on my 68 GTO, fantastic quality, very happy with how it turned out. Maybe their 3rd gen top is good quality too?




I believe the top on my GTO is a stayfast topline & its a completely different material than the camaro poem top. Very smooth, not cloth like. I'll do some research on that this weekend.

Last edited by F-body-fan; Sep 14, 2023 at 09:04 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2023 | 02:11 PM
  #12  
okfoz's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,293
Likes: 195
From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: Convertible top replacement

The material looks wrong.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2023 | 02:33 PM
  #13  
84 1LE's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 6,643
Likes: 403
From: Oyth
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Re: Convertible top replacement

I think it's twilfast instead of stafast or is it mohair? Twilfast is what I have currently, I'm fine with it if that's what it is. I'm referring to germanex, can't tell what the eBay one is.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2023 | 07:32 AM
  #14  
F-body-fan's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 948
Likes: 26
From: Green Bay, WI
Re: Convertible top replacement

Does anybody here have any good close up pictures of these aftermarket tops?
Sure seems like enough of them sell, so there must be a few members here
that could post some pics of the good & the bad. Likes & dislikes?

I would agree though, that eBay photo shows a material that is a bit glossy. OE fabric is anything but.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2023 | 07:51 AM
  #15  
Roorancher's Avatar
Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 354
Likes: 142
From: central Texas
Car: 91 TA Vert WS6-94 TA Vert
Engine: 5.0/5.7 LT1
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73-3.42
Re: Convertible top replacement

What it all boils down to is that you get what you pay for.
I don't buy car parts on Ebay unless the seller is a GM dealer's "store." I don't buy spark plugs, wires, pumps, etc. on Amazon or Ebay, because chances are they're Chinesium counterfeits.
Both my tops are Robbins Stayfast Cloth, that i had professionally installed by places doing it for 50 years, and it shows. Not a wrinkle anywhere, and the tension is perfect.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2023 | 10:35 AM
  #16  
F-body-fan's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 948
Likes: 26
From: Green Bay, WI
Re: Convertible top replacement

Originally Posted by Roorancher
What it all boils down to is that you get what you pay for.
I don't buy car parts on Ebay unless the seller is a GM dealer's "store." I don't buy spark plugs, wires, pumps, etc. on Amazon or Ebay, because chances are they're Chinesium counterfeits.
Both my tops are Robbins Stayfast Cloth, that i had professionally installed by places doing it for 50 years, and it shows. Not a wrinkle anywhere, and the tension is perfect.

Does Robbins use Haartz Stayfast?

Would really appreciate seeing some pictures of your top if you dont mind sharing them

Reply
Old Sep 18, 2023 | 12:04 PM
  #17  
Roorancher's Avatar
Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 354
Likes: 142
From: central Texas
Car: 91 TA Vert WS6-94 TA Vert
Engine: 5.0/5.7 LT1
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73-3.42
Re: Convertible top replacement

As far as I know the top came from Robbins, and it's stay fast cloth, according g to my records.
Here are some pictures, as requested....

I really wish the previous owner had done a glass back window like is on my 94, but oh well....






Reply
Old Sep 19, 2023 | 09:19 AM
  #18  
PTS's Avatar
PTS
Thread Starter
Junior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 69
Likes: 6
From: Media, PA
Car: 89 Vert Camaro
Engine: 3.8SFI Turbo
Transmission: 200R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Convertible top replacement

https://www.autoberry.com/shop/chevr...ible-soft-top/

Another distributer of the same top. Clearly states "Alternate Materials: Haartz Stayfast Canvas"

My question now is how many manufacturers make tops for these cars?

https://robbinsautotop.com/convertib...l_fitment=5210.

Does not list a Top for our Cars.

Last edited by PTS; Sep 19, 2023 at 09:23 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2023 | 11:57 AM
  #19  
84 1LE's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 6,643
Likes: 403
From: Oyth
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Re: Convertible top replacement

Yeah robbins doesn't even list one for thirdgens. The yr jumps from 1970-94. I was looking there 2 yrs ago and same thing. Autoberry just has them in blk.
Most of the sellers are just that, sellers. Mine is another seller who's escapes me right now, but the top is a topsonline, I believe. It has a tag that says EZon top
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2023 | 06:08 AM
  #20  
F-body-fan's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 948
Likes: 26
From: Green Bay, WI
Re: Convertible top replacement

Roorancher, are these seams glued, or sewn & folded over, or maybe both? Clean look, just curious if you could tell how it was done.
looks like its bonded tight with some type of modern adhesion process?



Reply
Old Sep 22, 2023 | 10:10 AM
  #21  
Roorancher's Avatar
Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 354
Likes: 142
From: central Texas
Car: 91 TA Vert WS6-94 TA Vert
Engine: 5.0/5.7 LT1
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73-3.42
Re: Convertible top replacement

Yes...
there are a multitude of terms used. .....heat sealed, heat fused, heat welded, seam welded.
I had the top replaced on my 94 TA Vert 10 months ago, and it's the same way. (Even though it's a totally different two piece top.)
it's a very clean look, and even though im a fan of the french double stitch, this is much better because it's waterproof, where just sewing 2 pieces together is not.
The only way you're going to get stitched seams these days is if your having a top made for a vintage car from scratch, so to speak, and it has to be sewn together......but even then, they may have invested in the equipment.
The top shop that did my 94, that has done things for me since the early 90s, has been in business continuously since the 1950s, and has a couple of guys that have been there 40 ish years, and they explained it all to me.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2023 | 07:56 PM
  #22  
L98wit's Avatar
Member
15 Year Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: CT
Car: 91 rs
Engine: 350 tbi with EBL
Transmission: t56!
Axle/Gears: 2.733
Re: Convertible top replacement

Looking for a new top as well, germanexinc and the pricing on ebay for the vinyl from more than tops seems to be similar price range as the vinyl top seen on Hawks. Except Hawks states each top is custom made requiring a lead time, whether that is true or they just don't have any of the three sizes for tops in stock and also receive their tops from the same place as the other sellers. More than tops for their vinyl tops shows they have sold 19, a bit strange only one person has left a review with not much detail.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
James Taylor
Convertibles
0
Jun 12, 2020 10:08 PM
VinnyX40
Exterior Parts Wanted
2
Dec 16, 2009 06:56 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:17 AM.