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Astro Tops - T top replacements?

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Old 11-25-2010, 11:57 AM
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chrisd0729
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Default Astro Tops - T top replacements?

Anyone use these guys or know anything about their quality? My '80 is more of a driver and doesn't need factory original glass and I need to fix a cracked passenger side mirrored top. Price doesn't look bad but, want to hear from someone who has used them before trying them.

http://www.astrotops.com/gmtops.html#

Thanks,
Old 11-25-2010, 12:00 PM
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Vettekid1992
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never used them but damn i think i may want them
Old 11-25-2010, 01:03 PM
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HamadUP
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one word : EXPENSIVE!
Old 11-25-2010, 01:19 PM
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chrisd0729
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Originally Posted by HamadUP
one word : EXPENSIVE!
Wow, I'm surprised you say that.... I've only been shopping since last night and this is the cheapest I've seen so far. Do you have any suggestions on where else to get them? I'm searching ebay, CL and the forum here and I am finding some stuff but, no solid solution yet.

If possible, I'm only looking for passenger side.

Thanks,
Chris
Old 11-25-2010, 04:04 PM
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BPHORSEGUY
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Anyone know what the slight mod is for '68-'77, and yes the price is good if the quality is there.
Old 11-25-2010, 05:56 PM
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3rd_Vette
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About 4 years ago, I tried to buy one for my 80.. I contacted them twice and never got a reply.. Not what i would call a reputable company.. I likes the One Piece idea rather than the T-top. I gave up. I guess they didn't need my business!
Old 11-25-2010, 06:21 PM
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blitz10
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I bought the one piece top off ebay. $350 plus $90 shipping. I remembered when they came out in the 70's. Thought I would give it a try, a change from factory, with the smoke grey for my Elkhart green 72.
Old 11-25-2010, 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by blitz10
I bought the one piece top off ebay. $350 plus $90 shipping. I remembered when they came out in the 70's. Thought I would give it a try, a change from factory, with the smoke grey for my Elkhart green 72.
I had responded to them through their add in Corvette Fever.. They were only $399 directly from them at the time, but i guess that doesn't matter since they don't respond to anyone inquiring!
Old 11-25-2010, 07:06 PM
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blitz10
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Their site is $499 price, if I remembered correctly. The ebay price was $389 or make offer. I made $350 offer and they accepted. Afterwards you can tell what others had offered. Most offers that were accepted were $350, one guy got it for $345. Other offers lower were not accepted.I like the idea of being to see through it, reminds me of a 1982 280z we had with smoke tops.
Old 11-25-2010, 07:32 PM
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HamadUP
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Originally Posted by chrisd0729
Wow, I'm surprised you say that.... I've only been shopping since last night and this is the cheapest I've seen so far. Do you have any suggestions on where else to get them? I'm searching ebay, CL and the forum here and I am finding some stuff but, no solid solution yet.

If possible, I'm only looking for passenger side.

Thanks,
Chris
$769 is really too much for T-tops, I just made a quick search in ebay and there are lots of good deals, did you consider the 1-piece top? .. I feel its much more convenient that the T-tops and much cheaper, too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/68-82...item2c58fbc7f5
Old 11-25-2010, 07:59 PM
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tim bob
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i bought one from them years ago for my 80 i loved it car is long gone considering buying one for my 76
Old 11-25-2010, 08:46 PM
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You might want to check out jaxed.com there is a set for sale on that site for $175.00!
Old 11-25-2010, 09:06 PM
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I have one on my 75 and haven't had any
problems I put foam inside the weather striping
and it seals much better
Old 11-26-2010, 01:03 AM
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Originally Posted by BPHORSEGUY
Anyone know what the slight mod is for '68-'77, and yes the price is good if the quality is there.
A few years ago I looked into installing a set of glass tops on my 68, and found that the T-shaped bolt that locates the rear of the top needs to be removed and the threads drilled out to accept the locating pin on the glass top. I couldn't seem to find a good set locally (seemed one side was always broken), so I scrapped that idea and bought the one-piece instead. I don't recall the T-tops the OP is asking about being offered at that time
Old 11-26-2010, 02:24 AM
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Well, I guess they raised their price like everyone else.. Its the American way!
Old 11-27-2010, 01:25 PM
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glen242
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Look on EBay, Corvette, boards, etc. for AMTOPS. These are a folding 2 piece top. I picked up a set, from EBay, I don't remember, about 7 years ago. They are made with convertible top material and came with mounting pins for the early and late C3s.

They work very well for what they are.

They are scarce, since they have been out of production for years, but they are much better than the Astro tops.

I believe I paid about $200 for a like new pair.
Old 11-27-2010, 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by glen242
Look on EBay, Corvette, boards, etc. for AMTOPS. These are a folding 2 piece top. I picked up a set, from EBay, I don't remember, about 7 years ago. They are made with convertible top material and came with mounting pins for the early and late C3s.

They work very well for what they are.

They are scarce, since they have been out of production for years, but they are much better than the Astro tops.

I believe I paid about $200 for a like new pair.
What's nice about the Astro tops you can see out them .with
those it's just black and now they sell for more then $200
I don't see what makes them better then the Astro top. Seems like
it would be easer to break into the car.

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Old 11-28-2010, 07:50 PM
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I'd avoid Astro Top and Melrose when looking for a top. Both have ****ty customer service, and make junk tops. Melrose appears to use a little better materials than Astro Top, but it doesn't matter when your Melrose top warps and cracks in a few months because it can't stand up to the heat from the sun.

These top companies like to blame the customer anytime you call with a problem with one of their tops. I guess that increases their profit margin by not having to fix/replace the bad tops that get out.
Old 11-28-2010, 08:15 PM
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76vette1
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I bought a one piece Astro top for my 76. It squeaked and rattled and did not seal at all. I attribute these problems to a very large acrylic top with no structural strength. The T-tops may be better, but these acrylic tops scratch easily and will not look good in a short period of time.
Old 11-28-2010, 11:25 PM
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d555
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Default 1 piece Astro 1

Originally Posted by 76vette1
I bought a one piece Astro top for my 76. It squeaked and rattled and did not seal at all. I attribute these problems to a very large acrylic top with no structural strength. The T-tops may be better, but these acrylic tops scratch easily and will not look good in a short period of time.
I've had the 1 piece top on for over 5 years, still looks new! Mine has never rattled or squeaked. Fit is just ok, but looks good on the car. I have know idea if it leaks as I never drive in the rain and the windows are always down in the summer. But looking at the window to seal fitment when the windows are up, doesn't inspire confidence in their ability to keep out the rain.

What I really like is the extra head room. So much so that the original T-tops are rarely used....and so far they've stayed attached, even at very high speeds.

Dave,


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