Optional hard top wrench and sleeve/bag

[Jim C.]

I have a 1966 convertible with the original optional hard top. It's my understanding that this option would have included a wrench for tightening and loosening the hard top. The wrench was also stored in a small cloth sleeve or bag. Can any one provide me with information, photos, etc. regarding the wrench and sleeve/bag. Thanks.

Jim C.

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: Optional hard top wrench and sleeve/bag

at one time someone was repoping the wrench, dont know if you can still get that are not.

[Terry M.]

Re: Optional hard top wrench and sleeve/bag

At the Bloomington Gold Special Collection I saw the first purported-to-be-original hardtop wrench and bag that I have seen in 30 years of looking at C3s. I didn't have my camera with me, so no picture. The cloth bag looked just like the bag used for the seat shims, but circumstances didn't allow an actual comparison for size.

[Gerard F.]

Optional hard top wrench and sleeve/bag

Jim,

This is a repro I think I got from Paragon earlier this year.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[John H.]

Re: Optional hard top wrench and sleeve/bag

When the hardtop is installed, there should also be two black rubber washers in the bag; they go under the hardtop bolt heads as a water seal when the soft top is up and the hardtop bolt heads are exposed.

[Dave McDufford]

Re: Optional hard top wrench and sleeve/bag

John,

I am sorry, but that is humorous. Leakage around a bolt is the least of the worries when a mid-year gets caught out in the rain.

Dave

[John H.]

Re: Optional hard top wrench and sleeve/bag

Yup - but the hardtop bolt engineer had to make sure he released something to seal the potential leak path between the bolt head and the ferrule; he obviously never rode in a Corvette in the rain.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Optional hard top wrench and sleeve/bag

John,

Always wondered what those washers where for, and had them on the nut side of the ferrule under the steel washer with the hardtop on. Pretty useless position.

I guess with the hardtop off, the bolts go back in the ferrule with the rubber washer under the head, is that correct?

What about those ferrule plugs that they sell, are they non-OE, or only for non hardtop optioned cars? Did non-hardtop optioned cars have the hardtop ferrules and side attachment fittings in the rear deck lid?

I know these are a bunch of questions, but I'm going to judge my 67 next time without the hardtop (since I took a full 85 color hit for the white vinyl on it last time). With a convertible top in place, should one have the hardtop bolts in place in the deck lid, or the ferrule plugs.

Regards,

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Gerard F.]

Answered my own questions.

John,

Looked it up in the 67 AIM. The two washers are on the Miscellaneous Shipping List in the AIM along with the bag and wrench, if you have the CO7 option.

Also the hardtop attachments to the rear deck were only installed if the CO7 were selected.

So I guess it would be proper if I judged the car with the soft top only, that the bolts be installed in the rear deck with the rubber washers.

Couldn't find any refernce in the AIM for the ferrule plugs (from CC), so I guess they are an aftermarket item.

Regards,

Jerry Fuccillo

[Michael H.]

Re: Answered my own questions.

Jerry,

This may be getting a little tech, but the actual configuration of the car as it left the plant would have been with the h-top in place. If you show the car without the h-top, a judge MAY want to deduct points for not having the top on, or at least deduct for the holes and ferrules etc in the deck lid that a soft top only car would not have had. I'm not sure how NCRS judging goes on this but you may want to look into it.

[Gerard F.]

How say the judges

Michael,

Although it probably wouldn't make any difference in scoring my dinged up 67 body with a 34 year old paint touchup, I thought I'd look into this issue.

If a guy had a hardtop option from the factory, and judged the car with the convertible top only, would he get points off for the lack of it, or points off for the hardtop attachments on the rear deck lid?

Having fun,

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

PS See what a fanatic you guys have made me! The paint job is last; in the meantime, I'm not afraid to drive it or park it anywhere.

[Tracy C.]

Re: How say the judges

Shootin from the hip on this, but it's all defined in the Judging Guide anyway.

Your car will only be judged with one top.

If it came with both tops and you leave your hard top at home, you will not recieve a deduction because it is not present during judging. Neither will there be a deduction for the mounting provisions on the car.

If it came with both tops and you leave your soft top at home, you will recieve a deduction for at least half of the originality/condition points assigned for the top.

Bottom line, if you want to show with the hardtop, you better have the softtop installed and tucked away under the deck lid. It will not be judged, but needs to be there to avoid the deduction for its absence.

tc

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: How say the judges

Help me on this one, as I recall if your having a PV, then you must have both tops on the car, if originally installed, and both are judged?

Harry

[John H.]

Re: How say the judges

Harry -

Yes, that's correct for PV judging. With a 2-top car, you'll also have to remove the hardtop, put the soft top up and down for review, and re-install the hardtop.

[Gerard F.]

Do you have to do it yourself

or do you get some help with the hardtop lift-off. I have a hoist in the garage to do it myself, but it's a little cumbersome without it.

On PV do they judge condition, or finish (for instance, white vinyl on a hardtop), or is it strictly operation?

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179