C3 Convertibles in the factory

[Tom R.]

When the order was for a convertible top, was the hardware installed and than the vinyl top installed or was it a pre-assembled single unit?

Would this have been considered...trim?

I recall the hardtops were painted along with the car and than accompanied it by a dolly of some sort.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Convertibles in the factory

Tom------

The convertible top was a pre-assembled unit that was installed on the car as-delivered from the supplier.

[Tom R.]

Re: C3 Convertibles in the factory

Joe:

Thanks and do you have sources that can verify a YK7 white top broadcast code for 73 convertible?

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Convertibles in the factory

Tom-----

No, I'm afaid that I have no reference for that.

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: C3 Convertibles in the factory

in 1970 on 71 corvette the tops were built by hand. Norman Mathis second shift builds convertible tops. the convertible tops and the seats are all built one at a time by hand. Corvette News oct/Nov 1970

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Convertibles in the factory

lyndon-----

I remember reading that, too, many years ago. However, in the AIM it speaks of a "convertible top assembly" and refers to a "chart". The "chart" provides the specific part number for each of the different colors. There is no mention of the different components of the convertible top (like the fabric, frame, etc.). This implies that the convertible top was received at St. Louis as an assembly. However, the latches, trim, weatherstrip etc. is described by part number so, apparently, that was installed at St. Louis. I did not think that even that was installed at St. Louis, but according to the AIM, it was.

[John H.]

Re: C3 Convertibles in the factory

The "top assembly" (frame and skin/cover/pads etc.) was indeed built up by an outside supplier, with the detail hardware parts noted in the A.I.M. added at St. Louis on an off-line "buck" fixture just prior to the installation of the top on the car. I don't remember the name of the supplier (a predecessor, prior to many mergers, to today's Dura Corporation), but they had to hire a gang of people and run 24 hours a day seven days a week during the '68 launch in order to support the 100% convertible production schedule from September '67 through the end of January 1968 before we were able to launch the coupe. Chevrolet Purchasing even had people in the supplier's plant on loan to help with third shift supervision during that period.