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I'm contemplating a hardtop to add value to my '65. I may not put it on, I really enjoy the open driving. I'm wondering if a $ 1,500 hardtop is worth purchasing. It's painted the right color and is in good condition, according to the owner. Thanks for your replies. Chuck
I'm contemplating a hardtop to add value to my '65. I may not put it on, I really enjoy the open driving. I'm wondering if a $ 1,500 hardtop is worth purchasing. It's painted the right color and is in good condition, according to the owner. Thanks for your replies. Chuck
People try to sell a c-2 hardtop for 1900 to 2200 but in reality they sell for 900 to 1200 I just bought a cherry c-2 hardtop for a 1000 and it was for sale for a good while . If that paint is correct for your car; that saves you time and some money. I would offer 1,250.00 if it is cherry if it is so so 900.00 I think a lot of people see the prices of a c-1 hardtop and they figure it should be the same or close to the same price. A c-1 hardtop is 4 times the price, c-1 hardtop whole deferent world. Hope this helps!
People try to sell a c-2 hardtop 1900 to 2200 but in reality they sell for 900 to 1200 I just bought a cherry c-2 hardtop for a 1000 and it was for sale for a good while . If that paint is correct for your car; that saves you time and some money. I would offer 1,250.00
I already offered $ 1,000. He countered with $ 1500.
Originally wanted $ 1,700.
If I were in the market again for a C2 convertible and a candidate car had a hardtop that went with it, I personally don't think I'd value and pay more for the car because of it. Would it be a nice extra? Sure. But the hard top would likely just sit in my basement collecting dust. Based on your remarks, it may be a dust collector in your basement too.
If I were in the market again for a C2 convertible and a candidate car had a hardtop that went with it, I personally don't think I'd value and pay more for the car because of it. Would it be a nice extra? Sure. But the hard top would likely just sit in my basement collecting dust. Based on your remarks, it may be a dust collector in your basement too.
Correct. The c-2 hardtops are not that desirable ; I love them and I some c-2 and c-1 Hard tops NOT FOR SALE but most people that have them never use them and I am not sure why they give the corvette a whole new beautiful look
I hate to say it but I bought a nearly perfect original '67 black vinyl top for $3000. Weatherstripping great, window clear and great.
I probably paid too much but it was local to me and I really wanted it for my car.
OP, I'm an admirer of your car, and would agree that a hardtop would look great on it.
FWIW, I spent about three years (I'm both patient and frugal - read: cheap) looking for a hardtop for my '65 rally red that was originally built with one.
I saw tops from $500 to $3,300 - gorgeous but too spendy.
My patience paid off - I bought a paint color matching top with no significant defects for $1300 ( thanks, Pancho aka Provette67).
The moral of my story, be patient and hold out for a no-excuses matching top, and you'll be ahead in the long run.
There are lots of crappy tops in the $1K range, and beautiful tops for upwards and over $3K.
If I were in the market again for a C2 convertible and a candidate car had a hardtop that went with it, I personally don't think I'd value and pay more for the car because of it. Would it be a nice extra? Sure. But the hard top would likely just sit in my basement collecting dust. Based on your remarks, it may be a dust collector in your basement too.
I was pricing a 57 w a hardtop and I asked if he would sell it without the top, answer no.
I ended up buying one with the hardtop and no convertible top,
I drove it home, about 6 miles, and the first thing I did was to remove it and it has been collecting dust ever since! And for some stupid reason, it's not for sale!
I never drive it in the rain and if it should rain, neither glass nor *** ever rusts.
Last edited by Roger Walling; 12-18-2017 at 10:48 AM.
I bought a hardtop for my '63 back in the 80's. The car was in storage at the time and I didn't need it, but I knew I would want one when I took it out of storage some day. I paid about $500 and it was in good condition but not'like new'. The headliner had fallen and it would need a new one and eventually new weatherstripping as well. I had been looking by then for about 10 years to find one that I was satisfied with.
I began the restoration project on the '63 in 2008 and it cost me close to $3000 to have the top professionally restored. We painted the top with the car, before sending it off to be restored. It looks better than new and odds are I will hardly ever use it.
My advice Chuck is, if the top is nice, not necessarily pristine, but looks about as nice as the rest of the car, and you want it, $1500 is not too much for a good top. Nice stainless trim for these is very difficult to find. It can be buffed, but it is very thin and can not sustain a lot of buffing before it becomes too thin.
My hardtop came with the car when I bought it in 2000, but it was missing a latch, all the inside trim pieces and needed a new headliner (came with the car) and weather-strip installed. I acquired perfect trim pieces and latch for an excellent price ($300 for everything!) but the hardtop stayed in my basement until I retired in 2015. Once I got it back together, I put it back on the car and love it. I now put it on in the fall and take it off in the spring. I drive my car on good days year round so the top helps keep things warm and more enjoyable on very cold days. I also love the different look.
My '61 came with a hardtop, and as soon as I got the car running and sorted out, it came off. I put it back on about 8 months later for the winter and for the heck of it, and it's been on ever since. I prefer the look of a C1 with a hardtop, and a C2 looks pretty good with one, too. I was going to get the soft top re-installed, but for now, I'm just leaving the hard top on. If I were looking for one, and it was the right color and in good shape, $1500 would be a deal. Just getting it painted professionally would cost over $700 where I am. If you want it, go for it.
I needed to buy one for my high speed exploits. The soft top was getting pretty funky up around 200 MPH!
I found this one from a Forum member. The original lacquer paint matches pretty darn close to my 25 year old base coat clear. Picture makes it look a little off...but in person it's near dead on.
It needed new latches and a headliner...but otherwise was great. $1300.
I guess the use of a hardtop depends to some degree on where you live. Northern Nevada is officially a desert, high heat in the summer (100* common) and cold in the winter (below 32* common). A hardtop makes driving in either extreme much more comfortable, but there’s nothing like cruising topless on warm summer nights.
Installing and removing a hardtop isn’t that big of a deal. Most midyear owners go overboard on maintenance and repairs anyway - like removing the seats to work under the dash. Over time, you’ll come up with short-cuts like using wing nuts on the deck lid bolts to save time. Bottom line, the top can be changed in the time it takes to wipe the car down.
Like others have said, I like the look with the top on and I’m glad I have it. I believe it will add value to your car - Hagerty's price guide says it's a +$3700 on a '67.
10-25-2017, 10:06 AM
Hardtop for a C2 - Going price?
I think a lot of people see the prices of a c-1 hardtop and they figure it should be the same or close to the same price. A c-1 hardtop is 4 times the price, c-1 hardtop whole deferent world. Hope this helps!
to $3,300 - gorgeous but too spendy.
