1960 Repo Soft Top

[John Olcott # 33092]

I am looking for a soft top (complete assembly) for my 1960 driver. The hard top is off all summer and this causes problems when I am far from home and I run into bad weather. I have searched for an original top but have come up empty handed. I have spoke with one source on repo soft tops and he claims that they fit poorly and that generally, will not be satisfactory. Has anyone had experience with a repo soft top for a 1960? If so, would you recommend them. Where should I buy? What are the caveats?. I will not be installing it, I will need to have someone install it for me, any suggestions? Thanks.

[Bob Babcock]

Re: 1960 Repo Soft Top

I am in the same situation as you. The only place I am aware of that has repro tops wants $3200 installed (including bow latches, etc.) and I provide the fabric. I finally found a used one for $1200. Gotta be really careful I am told cuz some of used ones availabe are from wrecks and they are tweaked to the point that they will be a problem to operate. My car was sold as a hard top only car.

Bob

[Ed Jennings]

Re: 1960 Repo Soft Top

There are a number of ads in "Corvette and Chevy Trader" for both new (repo) soft tops. I cannot comment on the quality of the repo tops. However, I have installed a top on both a solid axle and a midyear that came off another car and had a real chore on my hands. The solid axle top is a real bear to adjust properly. I have never gotten one to really fit perfectly, but have gotten them to fit acceptably close. The midyear is a bit easier, but is also a lot of adjusting, re-adjusting and compromise. The other thing to consider is that you will need the top mounting brackets if your car was originally a hardtop only car. They will also have to be installed in the proper location on the rear bulkhead. All this can be done, but find someone who does not just does tops, but does old Vette tops. I had a new top professionally installed on my original frame last year, and just finally a week or two ago got it adjusted to the point I was reasonably happy with it. I farmed it out because the shop had a good reputation, and would obviously do a better job than I would at home. After all,I hadn't done a top in 25 years. The top looks real nice, probably better than I could have done, but I had to work on the frame a half dozen time to get it acceptable. (not perfect, acceptable)I'd have been better off to install it myself and put the $500 I spent in a jar and save it toward a hardtop.