C-1 Convertible frames by Crane Corvette

[Gary E.]

Would any members like to share with me there thoughts on the Corvette softtop frames being offered on ebay by Crane Corvette. I am currently in the market for a frame and wonder if anyone on this discussion board has purchased or used one of them.Is the quality,fit,and overall product one that I should consider? Or should I continue to search for an original? Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[Mike M.]

Re: C-1 Convertible frames by Crane Corvette

i was under the impression that Sully tops(ad in driveline and hemmings) were only ones repoping soft top frames. suspect Dave Crane is getting his from them but not sure. repost question regarding Sully quality as they've been doing them for years. mike

[Mike E.]

Re: C-1 Convertible frames by Crane Corvette

Actually he has been selling Coffman tops for several years--would suspect that is what that one is, too.

[Mike E.]

Re: C-1 Convertible frames by Crane Corvette

Forgot to mention--everything I've heard is find a good original--the fit of the Coffman tops a few years ago was okay, but not phenomenal.

[Roy B.]

Re: C-1 Convertible frames by Crane Corvette

I've seen both and would rate a repro Coffman %90 correct and Sully tops %40.

[Mike B.]

Re: C-1 Convertible frames by Crane Corvette

I purchased a convertible frame for my '61 from Coffman Corvette at Fall Carlisle this year. I believe as another has written they build it for Crane. I can't yet speak to the fit as I haven't installed it yet but the quality of construction is fairly high. But I still have a hard time justifying the cost for the amount of materials and labor to make the thing - supply and demand I guess. I spoke with father and son Coffman at Carlisle who guaranteed that if I could not get it to fit correctly they would send someone at their expense to make it right. They also highly advised to buy the canvas from Al Knoch which was my next stop on the spending train. Coffman offers a bundled service of mounting new canvas on either their frame or refurbishing then mounting new canvas on an existing frame.

I will offer an opinion when I get around to mounting it sometime between now and this spring.