Paul L

Someone is interested in my 1979 glass T-tops. These are not repros or rebuilt. They are original. I have not used them for more than 15 years but they have been stored with GM silicone emulsion on the weatherstripping. It is as new. As is the hardware. The only defect is some dust. Here are pics. I wish to set a fair price. She will be listening. Please provide comments. Thanks!

Blue
Safety Float
L
O
F
Laminated








[Modified by paul79, 8:18 PM 3/18/2003]


[Modified by paul79, 8:23 PM 3/18/2003]


[Modified by paul79, 8:25 PM 3/18/2003]


[Modified by paul79, 8:26 PM 3/18/2003]

BacaBill

I'd be interested in how much you want for them also. For my '79

Paul L

I know the repros go for about $1050-1200US. I am trying to find a price for the real thing. I do not have an asking price at this point.

NHvette

I swear I've seen these on Ebay for $500 each - original blue glass.
You can buy the new black glass at Eckler's for $1100/pr.

I feel that a fair price for good used parts is 50% retail.

These being a notch better than 'good used', I would put the price somewhere
between $500-1000. I'd bet that you could fetch $1k+ on Ebay - if patient.
I'd also bet that you could sell them in a day at $500. Time is money.

Good luck :seeya


[Modified by NHvette, 8:37 PM 3/18/2003]

page62

You have to go with your conscience. They are worth $1000 in a heartbeat because they are numbers-matching originals. But why are you selling them? They are one of the things that make the late-model C3's truly wonderful!

Paul L

That is my estimate also. I am in no hurry to sell: they have been sitting in the basement for a long time. My fear is having them shipped safely. One of the reasons I never use them is the fact that they crack so easily.

Paul L

That is a very good question! But I do not drive my C3 with the tops on. I have three sets: glass, fiberglass and vinyl (pic below). Be it cool or hot I drive topless. I found C3s confining with tops on....The vinyls are packed in the back in case of a rain shower as per pic. The fiberglass are for resting purposes. The glass are in the basement.






[Modified by paul79, 8:50 PM 3/18/2003]


[Modified by paul79, 8:52 PM 3/18/2003]

gq82

I don't know, if it were me I would not sell them ( unless I really needed the cash). If you ever sell your car the new owner would want the correct glass tops with the car. I have an orginal set of 82 Collector Edition tops that I'll be selling on e-bay this spring and I'll be looking for more than a grand for them....a lot more. ;)

CORVETTE CRAIG

If I were you, I'd keep them. Their for your car, and someday you'll be glad you kept them.
I've had my Vette for 9 years now, and the T-Tops have always been in the basement. I bought the canvass one-piece top, and the one-piece Astro-top to use instead. Someday when I get time and $$$, I need to have the driver side T re-glassed, which BTW - is way down the road. Paying $500.00 or more for something I won't use or need untill I sell, doesn't make sense. Afterall, I drive topless 99% of the time.
But, if you do sell, your asking price should start at $1000.00 or even more.

81ZZ4

LOF Blue tint are the rarest of all. Worth the most.
Easy $1,500. Seen them go up to $2,000
Dont sell them unless you need to.
Mine are also original factory Blue LOF.
Hunted down a mint pair at carlisle a few years back. Really hard to find.


[Modified by 81ZZ4, 8:35 AM 3/19/2003]

Binnie77

Don't sell them Paul...you will regret it later I assure you.

Paul L

Thanks to All for the comments. I am lukewarm about selling and I do not need the money. I will wait for awhile and think the matter over.

*Edit*-I have informed the prospective buyers that I will not be selling the tops.


[Modified by paul79, 5:37 PM 3/19/2003]

Paul L

That is an interesting comment. I thought the blue LOFs were the most common. Just as an example some 14,480 1979s came with the RPO CC1 Removable Glass Roof Panels. Perhaps so many have been broken over time that the LOF versions are becoming rare? What did you learn from your search for a pair?

page62

I have original, matching blue LOFs. They're not as fragile as you imply. Just don't jack or lift the car without loosening the t-top latches first. And buy a t-top suitcase from Mid-America or Ecklers. Well worth the price :yesnod:

I don't think it's a matter of rarity. I think it's just that people are very unwilling to sell them ... unless you buy the whole car with it!

Paul L

I guess that has been my conclusion also ;) . But they will stay in the basement under blankets. I have no real use for them. They are included in my car appraisal for insurance purposes. Something I just thought of today.

Tom T

Paul,

How can I tell if my glass tops for my '79 are GM Original or not?

Thanks!

isosceles

How well do you like the vinyls? I was thinking of getting a pair for rain showers and for parking the car while at work (safe environment) have you ever had to use them at highway speeds? How easy are they to take on and off? Last, where did you get them, I've seen something similar in the Eckler's cat.
Thanks,

Paul L

Tom,
GM never made a top with green glass. Glass tops on all 1978-early 1981 Corvettes assembled in St. Louis were laminated. Glass tops on 1981s assembled in Bowling Green were solid tempered. Laminated tops have a bluish tinge while solid tempered tops have a grayish tint. The 1982 CE tops have a bronze tint. The glass will have a code on it if it is GM: LOF (Libby-Owens-Ford) followed by a date code. I will post a pic of the glass codes a little later.

*Edit*-Here are the C3 date codes. I have never been able to decipher them as there was 15 years of C3 production, not 16!
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/pau...scodes_004.jpg



[Modified by paul79, 5:35 PM 3/20/2003]

Paul L

Here is a discussion from some time ago on that subject. I have the vinyl t-tops with fiberglass top-type hardware. No velcro on mine.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zero...922118#3922118

Tom T

agreed that there are 15 years of C-3's... not 16

So what are the right codes?

thanks Paul