C1 How difficult would it be to put a power top in

[Larry Parylla #41143]

How difficult would it be to put a power top in my 62.

The power tops in the C1s still make you do most of the work manually and are probably a lot slower but there would be a cool factor in having a power top. Assuming that I can find the parts how hard would it be to install it? Are there any drawbacks in having a power top?

[Dick W.]

Re: C1 How difficult would it be to put a power to

The main drawback that I know of is the lack or reliability. They are a nightmare to get operating correctly, and with the mirad of 50's electrical components, very unreliable.

[Mike M.]

Re: C1 How difficult would it be to put a power to

Difficult to identify what year c-1 the parts to puchase came off of and also expensive to acquire.mike

[Loren L.]

If you could find an owner of a car

ABSOLUTELY IDENTICAL in all respects and condition with a power top, he might pay you a $1000 to trade and take his car.

[Larry Parylla #41143]

Re: If you could find an owner of a car

I guess it is worst than I thought. I thought it might be cool to have because I have power windows in my car but it looks like most people think it is more trouble than it is worth.

[Chuck S.]

Re: If you could find an owner of a car

Larry, I saw a setup for sale in the latest Driveline...$1500.

"More trouble than it is worth"...pretty good assessment of my feelings. To me, having a hydraulic fluid leak on my power steering cylinder would be bad enough, but in my restored classic Corvette trunk, it would be incomprehensible.

[Larry Parylla #41143]

Re: If you could find an owner of a car

I just saw the ad after I posted my question, I can get my C4 top up in less than 30 seconds and I guess that the C1 tops are just as easy. I just thought it would be cool to have a very rare option. From what I understand with the power top you still need to do most of the work.

[G B.]

The option that inspired a metaphor

The first time I heard the expression "a *****'s nightmare", it was used as metaphor for the '56 - '62 power top mechanism.

Or maybe they were talking about a 4360 series fuel injection unit; I forget which.

[Theodore K.]

Re: C1 How difficult would it be to put a power to

Latest issue of the restorer has just such an article. It will be done in several parts over several issues.

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C1 How difficult would it be to put a power to

Check the black book. Power tops were a pretty popular option in 56-58. By the time the 61-62 models came along, the option had almost disappeared, sort of like the low horse fuelies. There was a reason for this "extintion".

[Roy B.]

Re: The option that inspired a metaphor

I ran my 57 Corvette through the Reno Na. Auction four years ago. I've been driving it for over 30 years . It was nice, clean and showed great. There were 3 other newly restored 57's also being sold. When the auctioneer sow that my 57 was not a new restored vett I could tell right a way, his interest was to move it out quick . Because none of the other 57's sold for more then $47,000.
They were all 3 or 4 speeds, one and two carb vetts. When I drove up the auctioneer started at $10,000 and was already to move me out,then he added it had FI,price jumped,Auto-jumped, power windows-jumped, then I ran the power top down and up and each time the bids jumped $5,000 more.
To make a long story short the 57 stalled at $50,000 but I ran the top up and down 3 times.
So $50,000 plus 3 times of running the top added to $65,000. Which I got $61,000 . So the moral of the story is that the power top unit was worth $15,000 for me and the people bidding for it.

[Larry Parylla #41143]

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 How difficult would it be to put a power to

You can still pull the top up by hand and I used trans oil not brake. It worked great for over 31 years.If your still interested e-mail me and I can tell you how to go about it.

[Chuck S.]

Re: C1 How difficult would it be to put a power to

Larry, a big caution here regarding my earlier comment: I know "jack" about C1 power tops and have no experience with them at all, leaking fluid or not.

I DO KNOW that whenever you get a hydraulic system with hoses and fittings under pressure, EVENTUALLY, probably sooner rather than later, you WILL have a leak; probably not a big spray, just a seep or drip. It would only be an annoyance if it was leaking on the garage floor...heck of big annoyance if in your trunk.

[Larry Parylla #41143]