Soft top Assy C1 only read -Trivia

[Roy B.]

There is some confusion by some owners as to how they would determine a 56 to 59 or late 59 to 62 soft top frame assy. to buy.
1. 56 to 59 frame pic. at right is a long "one" piece plate ( it's the one that can bend easy )
2. late 59 to 60 frame pic. at left is a short "two" piece plate (also the same plate used in 61 to 62)
3. Only difference in 61 to 62 is that the rear bow has a recess for the soft top lid.(hump)
4. any year soft top assy may or may not have a stud on the right side lower bracket where the frame mount to the body. It's for a attaching the safety arm for a power top option.
I don't know if the repro assy being sold have this difference ??
5. And remember that the soft top latches are different then the hard top are , the reason being that the headers are different that meet the window.( that was an Article I wrote about many years ago )
If the two repro's guys out there that are selling the soft top assy. ( noting the difference) let me know.
PS the Article said 56 to 58, it was wrong.

Also the header weatherstriping for the soft top , was a one piece starting from above the middle window L/S to the middle window R/S for 56 to 59.Which is not being repro-ed , only the late 59 up are.

[Dennis C.]

Re: Soft top Assy C1 only read -Trivia

Roy,

Is it worth trying to find an original soft top frame to restore, or would you recommend going with a repo?

Thanks,

Dennis

[Roy B.]

Re: Soft top Assy C1 only read -Trivia

Give me two choices , a clean pretty repro for $2,000 ? or a REAL original used with some dust and dirt for $3,000 and I'll come up with the $3,000 every time. Again I don't know that the repro is correct? and cant imagine it is. But that is me and I don't judge other people that disagree.

[Dennis C.]

Thanks, Roy *NM*