setes

Hi,

I want to buy soft T-tops for my '74 Stingray.
Do you know if signed for '78-'82 wil fit to my car ?
Any modifications needed ? What is the difference between ?

Thanks
Paul,

MikeC

Latching Mechanisms for 78-82 were changed. I think you can modify them to work in earlier ones but I do not know how to.

Stewart's74

What type are said soft tops?
Newer t-tops can be made to work on earlier sharks, therefore I would suppose there soft ones can work too.

PROSOUTH

I recently bought a set myself for my '80. The set I purchased has the pre'78 pins in them. If you buy a set for 78-82 I will swap pins with you. JIM

setes

Thanks :)

I will let you know if I will get them.

Thanks
Paul,

Robert N

So where does one find the soft T-Tops? How easy are they to convert to the earlier style?


[Modified by Robert N, 5:10 PM 9/9/2003]

PROSOUTH

The earlier style basicly have a star that interlocks with the star on the rear mount and the later style has a bayonet pin that goes into the reciever of the '78 up.

I could actually take the star off of the pins I have and use on it. But there is no sense in not sharing with someone who needs them. JIM

OHSIXX

So, what are soft t-tops?

ddecart

There are a couple different types. Generally though, it's like taking a piece of convertible top material and putting it across the top opening. Removes and collapses a lot smaller than the normal t-top. Also leaks a lot more than a normal t-top, too.

Some of them have a strip of velcro across the front to hold them down. Others, like the Am-Top ones that I have use the factory t-top mount position. Mine have a wire frame with tabs that insert into the center t-bar holes, a vertical pin and swiveling 'latch' for the front outer attachment, and a clipy thing on a spring loaded thingy that grabs the rear triangle attachment thing (or is it a thingy?).

They're great for keeping the sun and wind off you when you're motoring around. They suck for keeping water out if it's raining. I think I might get MORE wet with them on than with them off in the rain. :yesnod:

bertmeister

Does anyone have pictures of the soft tops? Where did you get them?

ddecart

Am-tops went out of business a long time ago. They're still on ebay occasionally though.

The one piece velcro kind are carried by most of the Vette part suppliers.

Robert N

How bad do they leak when the car is sitting still (parked)? I want a set for so security (better than the car being wide open) when I do have to park it, and to help keep some rain out when parked at my store. I have covered parking for really strong rain if I get caught, but the car can't be seen when parked there.

Robert

OHSIXX

So, we are talking about the "Raincoat" advertised in many of the catalogs.

I had one on an 80 and it looked so sharp! Never had it in the rain.

My concern: Will it stay on at 85-90 mph? :confused:

Robert N

Living in AZ, I only see 12 inches of rain per year. I don't remember the last time the tops or rear window were in the car. It is rare and generally only when I drive with the temps in the 50s or 60s. For in town driving, the fastest the car would see is 55 if I id drive with them on. I would still use the originals for freeway driving.

ddecart

Theydon't leak as bad. But they provideno security other thasn visual. I can have one side off in under 3 seconds with the windows all the way up, thanks to the spring-loaded catch on the rear triangle thing.