Rudy's Stingray

Greetings!

I'm reposting from a response I made from a previous thread in order to add photos to the instructions.

On a 1970 hardtop there are (8) Eight attachment locations.
I know for a fact because I currently own a 1970 two top convertible and I do this all the time.

At the front there are (3) three latches-
There is one located at the center between the sun visors (below)


There is one on each side -
At the front drivers' side (below) and passenger side opposite of the drivers' side


At the middle, just behind and to the side of each seat back,
there are (2) hex head mounting bolts. There is one on each side.

Drivers' Side




Passenger Side




First open both doors and leave them open.
Move both of your front seats all the way forward.
Where the vinyl side panels come down in alignment with the rear storage area,
there is a vinyl cover that is tethered to the hardtop.

The cover comes down and snaps around the top of a hex head bolt which secures the
sides of the hardtop to the body.

Simply grab the sides of the approximately 1 inch cover,
pull it towards you. It will unsnap but be sure not to twist it since the tether is made of 42 year old vinyl and cannot be replaced.
Next remove the bolt.

At the rear-
Beneath the hardtop there are (3) bolts.
The first - At the center of the rear window there is a short bolt and
(2) long studs (1) one on each side that comes down through the deck lid.

The (2) Two long studs - One on each side (below)




All three are held down with a washer and a nut.

The bolt in the center (below)


The center bolt is much shorter than the two threaded studs on the sides.
The center bolt washer and nut are out of sight in a recessed hole in the deck lid.

Once you find a way to lay between the back of the seat and above the storage compartments,
you will need a flashlight to see the nut as its small.

It will require a small socket. Off hand I honestly don't remember the sizes,
but you will need an extension or deep socket to reach it.

It's true that removing the nuts in the back especially the one in the center is difficult to reach.
Hopefully you or someone you know is flexible and will be able to contort your body to get back in
there. For your sake, I hope the soft top is not back there with the hardtop on. Its can really become a
challenge to remove. Been there done that.

As previously mentioned in the last thread, the lever at the front/center underside of the
deck lid is the deck lid release lever and pin release mechanism. By pulling on one side will
release the deck-lid, and pulling on the other will release pins. (below)


My step by step procedure differs from the previous thread.

1) Remove your antenna - Trust me you will be glad you did.
2) Open both doors.
3) Release the front three latches.
4) Remove the two bolts at the center sides under the vinyl tether.
5) Remove the three nuts and washers connecting the two studs and the bolt at the center.
6) If you are on the drivers side of car, have someone be ready on the other side.

7) Go to the side best suited to your dexterity. Since I'm left handed,
I'm on the drivers side. Please keep in mind that the top is not that light because
its awkward to move.

8) For me, I place my left hand fingers inside and around the side
handle release cutout and work my right hand fingers under the back of
hardtop, between the window and where the metal pointed ends of the
rear of the hardtop are. The person on the other side will do the same
only with opposite hands.

9) With the doors open and antenna removed, at the count of three,
lift the top up and off at the same time. While continuing to lift the top,
slowly move sideways and rearward until you clear the car. Then carefully place
the top in vehicle position with the header supported.

I hope this helps.

Good luck.

Rudy

scf100

great post....I just bought a 74 convertible that did not originally have a hard top but bought one for it...

couple questions...

1) I will prob use the hard top in winter and drive only occasionally......do I really need the rear center bolt?.........am thinking of taking it off and not using as the earlier c3's did not have it either......won't be driving in the rain and winters in Ga not really that cold so not worried about being totally airtight

2) sounds like you reccomend removing the convertible top when using the hardtop?.....how and why?

thanks,

scf100

ttt

CA-Legal-Vette

1). I don't bother with the center nut most of the time but when I do, I use a wing nut and washer instead. MUCH easier to get on and remove.

2). I would never remove the convertible top. It makes getting at the rear compartments much harder but realigning the top after youvevremoved it is no small chore.

My.02

scf100

good stuff........thanks

Paul L

You have just convinced me not to buy a hard top. The first clue was reluctance of people to ship them.

scf100

what size wingnut have you guys used for the 2 rear long studs?

Rudy's Stingray

Greetings!

Once after having the soft top installed did I try attaching the hard top.
For me, it was impossible to secure the hard top at the rear studs let
alone the center bolt. The soft top was not only in the way, but the
studs coming down from the hard top interfaced with the soft top. Too
much risk having them both on the car at the same time.

Rudy

Paul L

I'll have to think about this. Many would disagree. I just don't know at this point.

I see room in there. What am I missing?

Rudy's Stingray

I had the same thought years ago when I first had the soft top collapsed
in the back storage area. I thought "No problem, I can still attach the
hard top with the soft top installed". NOT!

Two things:
First, I would like to see the "Many" who you claim would disagree.
Second, show me a pictures of the two installed at the same time with
responses from those who say "No problem" or "There's plenty of
room".

Its easy to assume it would work when there is no hard top in the
picture. I made that mistake the first time. I'm just trying to save others
from the grief and aggravation I went through installing the soft top and
then trying to install the hard top. Just remember, never assume.

The Hot Rod Grille

Geez. I must be doing something wrong! I've had the soft top and hard top both on the car for over 42 years with no problems removing and reinstalling the hardtop.

Jim

carriljc

I replaced the studs on my hardtop with the tapered studs like the ones for the convertible top. Probably not the best idea, but I don't think I've had the hardtop on for over 15 years.....

scf100

I removed the center bolt.............

Paul L

Would you have a pic of the rear hold-down bolts installed relative to the folded soft top?

Easy Mike

Nope. You're fine. I don't have any problems, either.

Paul L

Do you use the side mount bolts near the door?

chstitans42

I have no problems either. Now if any of you have extra bolts for the two side tabs, let me know bc I dont have them

scf100

good question Paul.......my car needs to have those holes drilled I assume since my car was not a factory hardtop car....

I have just set the top on....this weekend will bolt down 2 rear pins( took out the center) and am thinking I better use side bolts to keep any movement out of top...

PS I am using clear cling strips under the top on rear deck to keep rub marks off lid

scf100

you guys are great.....finnaly drilled the two side holes and mounted top....used wing nuts over the plates for the two rear pins, side bolts went in no prob...

used the install instruction another member wrote about which is attached the 2 side bolts, had another person lift up the front of the hardtop( released the rear deck lid) so I could reach back and attach 2 wing nuts on the 2 rear bolts ( my convertible top still in car so hard to reach)

now that its done its too nice to keep on so back off for next 6 months and enjoy top down cruising!

Billem

Mine doesn't stay on much of the year, but it is held down with convertible pins, side bolts, and forward latches. No center pin. Rides just fine. Have a great day, Bill