Is this normal for a C1 convertible top?

[Paul B.]

Hi,

I drove my '62 on the highway for the first time yesterday. The car has a fairly recent Al Knoch top, and I noticed that at speed the side flaps lift and the area above the top rails is open? I could have stuck my fingers right through above the rails?
When I got home I took a look, I can lift the side flaps, and neither the pad or top material are secured to the rails? Is this normal?

Thanks,
Paul

[Terry D.]

No *NM*

[Terry D.]

Re: Is this normal for a C1 convertible top?

Paul

I just had an Al Knoch top put on and drove it home and did not have the problem you describe. Who put the top on? Sounds like they forgot to attach some things correctly. If you did it yourself do you have the video they made? If you need to borrow the video, e-mail me, I have a copy I loan out.
Terry

[Paul B.]

Re: Is this normal for a C1 convertible top?

Thanks Terry,

I didn't install the top, it was on the car when I bought it. I couldn't imagine that this would be correct, it certainly isn't weather tight and at one time these were used as real cars!
I'll email you for the vid, thaks for the offer!

Paul

[Gary Bishop]

Re: Is this normal for a C1 convertible top?

I thought I read that the original tops did raise up on the highway because they were not put on near as tight as they do now..

[Roy B.]

Re: Is this normal for a C1 convertible top?

Because they are put on tighter the top windshield S/S pulls louse from the glass mostly seen on 53 to 56 and because the material shrinks on 53 to 56 it's the main reason the dash drops . And is why you see the dash eyebrow don't meet the doors 53 to 56. In 57 GM added the dash side brace supports.

[Roy B.]

Re: Is this normal for a C1 convertible top?

I for got to add this Pic.

[Las K.]

Re: Is this normal for a C1 convertible top?

How do you stop the SST from pulling away from the glass? My top was just installed by Al Knock and I can't solve the problem. I bought a new windshield, had the post tabs machined, and it still pulls away.

[Terry D.]

Re: Is this normal for a C1 convertible top?

Gary

That would mean if you drove in the rain the rain would come in? That did not happen back in the day. My first 62 was only 2 years old when I got it and in those days it was my only car, driven in rain, sleet and snow. The top actually fit pretty well, but when winter came I put the hardtop on.
Terry

[Roy B.]

Re: Is this normal for a C1 convertible LAS

Do you have the correct front hold down latches / have you tried to lossen the rear ones a little / is the articulator arm adjusted right / how many shims under the windshield side post/ and on and on ??

[Brent Holtzman]

Re: Is this normal for a C1 convertible top?

I own a 60 and it behaves much the same as you describe.

[Terry D.]

Re: Is this normal for a C1 convertible top?

Brent
What are you answering to? Behaves like what?
Terry

[Joseph T.]

Re: Is this normal for a C1 convertible top?

Installing a top so tight that it does not raise at all during high speed driving can result in the front latches pulling the windshield trim from the glass.

Either relieve the tension by loosening the position of the front latches..or..the rear latches.

As Roy may have mentioned there were short and long latches original and repro as I recall.

If you cannot solve it this way..have a shop check and see if there is enough material remaining on the front header ..and maybe it can be reattached in a slightly looser position. I suspect a 1/8th inch could make the differance.

Your top will also be looser in the heat of the summer.

Joe

[John M.]

Re: Is this normal for a C1 convertible top?

Terry,

Click on the "view all" link to see the entire thread. This is something that this antique software does, it fragments old threads when people respond to the thread.

Regards, John McGraw

[Terry D.]

Thanks John *NM*