'66 Soft Top Problems

[Chip Levick]

I just had a new convertible top (Al Knoch) installed on my '66 roadster. I had ordered the top "kit" complete with all weatherstripping from Corvette Central. I also had the frame "blasted" and painted. After I removed the old cloth I found the front top bow to be rusted "beyond repair". As a result, I bought a new front top bow from Eckler's. I picked up the car a few minutes ago from the upholstery shop. The front top bow is setting on the windshield frame on both ends, but has about a half inch gap between the top of the windshield frame and the front top bow in the middle. You can actually see daylight! Also, the pins are barely seated in the windshield frame. The top guy said the problem is with the bow. Does that sound right?

[Chip Levick]

Re: '66 Soft Top Problems

Took the car to Orlando (NCRS event) today and was fortunate enough to meet Al Knoch. What a great guy! He took the time to come out and look at my car and even showed me how to correct the problem. He was extremely helpful!!! I will never have any upholstery/top work done again by anyone but Al Knoch. I was impressed!

[Bruce L.]

Re: '66 Soft Top Problems

Chip, What did Mr. Knoch say? I did exactly what you did and my top has the same problem. Thanks Bruce

[Christopher R.]

Me Too

Tell us what he said.

[Mark F.]

Windshield weatherstrip?

At Monterey last August I saw a guy standing on the seats of a silver C2 convertible fiddling around with the top of the windshield frame/front bow of the top. He said that he was correcting a problem such as described in this thread; the weatherstrip piece was installed backward. Apparently this piece of weatherstrip is not ambidextrous, though it might appear to be. Hope this helps.

[Chip Levick]

Re: Windshield weatherstrip?

After Al inspected my car, he said the problem was with the "reproduction" front bow. Instead of having a gentle arch that mirrors the arch of the windshield frame - my bow is more straight. He said this is a common problem with these bows. He said to correct it I would need to chain down the bow on both corners and jack up the bow in the middle - until I get the correct arch. He also said this step should have been done before the cloth was installed.