67 soft top

[Karl Bugman]

As I understand it, the 67 should have an obround cross-section front bow as opposed to the earlier smaller round bow. Is the top frame otherwise the same and, if so, can the correct bow be found anywhere and replaced as an individual component? At some point in my car's sordid past someone has apparently installed an earlier model frame if I've got my facts straight. ????

Also, the car sat in a barn (w/ hardtop) for >10 yrs before I got it. When I tried to put the soft top up, I could not easily (read not anywhere near easily) latch both ends of the top. I did "force" it one time but it clearly isn't right. I am writing this off to the top taking a "set" from sitting folded so long. It really just seems to have shrunk... Is that far fetched or does it pass the common sense test? (BTW, 60F & the door gaps & windows, etc all fit fine. And the hardtop is fine. The soft top fabric is a replacement from the 70's by the looks of things.)

Thank you all for helping me learn so much on this board!!! -Karl

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: 67 soft top

Karl,

As it happens,I ran into exactly the same problem.Unlike you,however,I had nobody to blame but myself.Owned two cars,kept one,but kept top of the other one,cause it was in better"shape".Didnt know,at the time,that there was any difference.Coffman Corvettes(located somewhere in FLA.)came to the rescue and supplied a reproduced totally correct piece(as far as I could tell).For some reason I have lost track of thier PH.# but Im sure someone else on here knows how to reach them.They also supplied the correct rivets to attach the afor mentioned piece!......Hope this helps!...........Bill S

[Dave #24235]

Re: 67 soft top shrink

Yes, they shrink. That's the way I found the top for my 66 when I bought it 13 years ago. It hadn't been on the car in 7 years. It wouldn't come within a half inch of the proper length. I am currently installing my third replacement, so I will hazard a guess as to how they shrink. When you are installing a top, you have to stretch the hell out of it to get the top to fit smoothly. I'm sure that the design is intentional, to create enough tension to prevent lifting at higher speeds - especially needed on a hot day, when you will notice the top sags when you stop following a high speed run. I use a heat gun to stretch the vinyl material when installing. As a top gets old, the vinyl gets hard (due to sunlight, ozone, etcetera). If the top is not on the car for long periods, it gets old and hard as it tries to resume it's prestretched size. All materials have a relaxation constant, even plastics. They all try to regain their former shape to some extent. In the case of your top, it shrank back and hardened in that position. - Dave

[Steven Turschmann]

Re: 67 soft top

call jerry at sullys tops , he makes parts and restores frames for vettes ,559-299-9542

[Karl Bugman]

Thanks, guys! ( NM ) *NM*