targa top replacement comparisons
 

I need to replace my glass targa top for my 88 (bronze tint) and see some vendors like Zip Corvette and Ecklers sell them for around $1250, then I also read people have used other companies like Melrose, (I've read enough negative to stay away from Astro). What has your experience been? Is there a difference in the tops? Who's the best?

Ron

if your frame is good you can get just the lense from melrose, bout $200, they dont advertise it you have to call

My insurance is actually footing the bill (shocking). So I want the best top I can I can bolt in without messing around too much. I have plenty of other projects I need to spend my time on.

If your insurance is covering it put them in touch with Melrose and arrange the ship/payment etc. Any damage/loss etc would be directly between the insurance and the vendor.

Insist on Melrose!

I lucked out when I had to replace my top, the glass one on my car separated from frame, I found a GM painted top that had never been on a car, still boxed up for $200. Wrong color, but I can't complain. Lol

I wouldn't recommend Melrose. My Astro Top was seperating from the frame. So I sent the top to Melrose for them to repaint :ack: the frame and put on a new lense. When it got hot out, I noticed the lense started warping. Then a few months later the top cracked. Had the Astro Top on there for a long time and it never warped or cracked. Just came unglued. I then noticed there were several others who had the same problem with their Melrose top. Melrose response was that their tops will do strange things out in the heat. And that you are on your own once the top leaves their shop. I have never heard that from any other company.

I just ordered my new top. You may or may not be surprised to learn that Melrose is the supplier for most of the retailers that sell tops. Here's a link to Melrose's website showing who they supply to. Shop around, they don't all sell for the same price, but you'll get the same top. I even worked out a deal for shipping and got the new top for $1140 total.

Ron

Brand new, no core needed.

I called Melrose on Friday and asked if I could purchase a replacement lens for one of my spare broken tops. They were quite offended by my asking. He told me the were licensed by GM and have never sold just the lens to the public. He did offer to sell me a unformed piece of glass and I could form it myself. There customer service could use a little work. A simple no would have sufficed. Is there anyone else that sells the lenses?

From Melrose's FAQ: "Can I install my new transparent roof myself?

We strongly recommend all T-Tops and targa tops be installed by a trained professionals, however many customers perform the install themselves. Technical support is available Mon-Fri 8AM-4PM CST at (815) 758-2783 for installation help. "

:willy:

So how do you get them to sell you a lens?

Talk to the right person? Some of the people there aren't with the company program because others have posted here that they have gotten the lenses from Melrose.