Juhatee

I'm looking for a new convertible top canvas for my 99 vert. is there any good thread or website with pictures about the canvas replacement?

I found one that shows how to adjust rear load against the lid and according to those instructions also window top corners will be adjusted from there.. Is that right? Does window corner adjustment affect also lid pressure?

Is there a big difference between original GM canvas and those for sale on Ebay? Prices vary from $420 to $1500.. Would I get decent quality for that $420?

JimZRyd

I have heard that Robbins tops are the best. Pricey but very well made.

MSG C5

GAHH Automotive also supplies aftermarket, improved tops for Corvettes, Mercedes, Porsche, etc.

When the time comes for me to replace mine, I want to design/order a custom gray color and make sure the rear window is stitched vs. glued on. My friend has a Precision Red C6 and his gray top looks great. I parked my MSG vert next to it and we both agreed the gray would look great with MSG.

I would also like to make the rear window a little larger if possible.

GR8-LIFE

Funny you should mention it. I have a '99 vert too. But My top isnt that bad though so I dont if its justified in replacing it. But a brand new top would make her look nice so I will pay attention to this one. I would need to find someone to install it though, someone who has done many of these before

chris308

I replaced mine not too long ago. Had a light oak top stained on my 99, replaced it with a black one.

I bought my top from corvette recyclers; forum vendors. They were running a top deal for 250 or so. It looked brand new even though it was off a parted out car. So it saved me a ton of cash. Had a shop here put it on for 300, so 6hrs and 550 total invested.

GR8-LIFE

recycled top? hmmm, I wonder how long you get out of them? BTW, I didnt see corvette recyclers in the forum list. Do you have a link ?

Kevin Kuse

I have a 98 and my Top Cloth is great Shape. But my top contacts the rear hatch behind the black band, rubbing the paint is that normal? I would think that black band was to be the seat or wear area? Can that rear bow be adjusted to sit on the black area?

chris308

Well the upholstery shop owner said they 6-10 years depending on exposure to the elements and whatnot. The top i replaced was easily the original top that came on the car(99) so almost 12 yrs old. It showed its age... the new to me top looks like it came off a garage queen. It probably isn't for everyone but i figure it was 5x better shape than the previous and i didn't spend a whole lot so it's a win win for me.

GR8-LIFE

Aside from the elements, regular up and down use wears the top as well
I bought my 99 new and she has only 35K miles on it and is garaged kept and the sides of the top are starting to look bad but the overal top really isn in bad condition so maybe I should wait

chris308

yea, my car is a daily driver and i don't have a garage, just an outdoor car cover. My old top had stains i couldn't get out, mildew stains, and some of the threads were starting to come out, plus i just didn't like the tan top on a black car.

dquagliaroli

Have a 2003 Shale Top. It was taken off the car with less than two months use and replaced with a black top. Top has been wrapped and stored since 03 and is in perfect condition. $450.00 including shipping.

MSG C5

I use Ragg Top cleaner/protectant and it helps get rid of the side markings and storage creases. Mine is a weekend garage queen, however it is also a Florida car so I make sure to keep my dash/top/trim, etc. well maintained and protected. I'm hoping to get 10 years out of my OEM top (6 years already) and by then I should have all my other mods completed so why not get a new top?

Jet-Jock

I use RaggTop too. Plus mine is a daily driver here in FL and I use a TopHat during the day while at work to keep the top protected.

Normally its not this wrinkly, it was just out of the box when I snapped this picture.





I don't insert it under the rear lip of the top, it just lays across the back and seems to do well even if I forget and it goes through a thunderstorm. For long term storage or more secure, you can lift the rear of the top slightly and slide it under (there is a tab along the rear). But for most uses the weight alone holds it in place.

03WhiteConv

Call your dealer and find out who does their installs and then call that person direct. These tops are pretty difficult to install and you want someone who knows what they're doing. You can buy a robbins top online and bring it in unless the installer can do it cheaper as a package.

Robins is the supplier for GM and the fabric is made by Haartz. Don't let them talk you into a cheaper brand.

Juhatee

Well, does anyone have any experience of cheap tops, like $450?

I know people think the more pricey the better but I'd like to hear bad experiences too..

99 vett babycar

[QUOTE=MSG C5;1575654075]GAHH Automotive also supplies aftermarket, improved tops for Corvettes, Mercedes, Porsche, etc.

When the time comes for me to replace mine, I want to design/order a custom gray color and make sure the rear window is stitched vs. glued on. My friend has a Precision Red C6 and his gray top looks great. I parked my MSG vert next to it and we both agreed the gray would look great with MSG.

I would also like to make the rear window a little larger if possible.[/QUOT

see my sigt for pix of pewter with gray top

MSG C5

[QUOTE=99 vett babycar;1575657872]Very nice. Who is the manufacturer? GM didn't offer this color did it?

RJRSW

[QUOTE=99 vett babycar;1575657872]
I have seen C6 machine silver convert's with the factory optional gray top and they looked great and much richer looking then black top does on the silver.

RJRSW

[QUOTE=MSG C5;1575657930]These people offer two different gray colors for C5 converts.

http://www.convertibletopguys.com/in...egory/view/767

Kmcoldcars

I have done upholstery on collector cars for the last 25 years. Robbins makes a good top. I generally use a top made by Electron Top when I get a premade top (I often have to make the top myself for the older cars). Electron can make a top in any color of Stayfast that is available. Stayfast is a great material for tops as it does not fade when exposed to a lot of sun and is the cloth used on most of the tops. German cars often use Sunnenland or Happich. They are also very nice material and come in many colors. Electron can also make the tops in those materials. Typically, vinyl tops are the cheapest, then comes Stayfast, with the German material being more expensive. I would use Stayfast for my convertible tops.