1956 soft top

[Steve H.]

Hello to all,
What are the differences of the soft top frame on a 56 as compared to the later C-1s? In particular is there a difference in the header bow and the attachment to the side rails. Did 56 have the angled L bracket that attaches the front header to the side rail?? Also, is there an article or book that someone can recommend that shows the frame assembly in detail?

As always thanks in advance for your help

Steve

[Roy B.]

Re: 1956 soft top

56 to 59 are all the same

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 soft top

Steve,

I'm restoring my 59 weatherstriping, side and front header. Recovering with cloth as original. Roy and I have been conversing about this. Below are some photos I just snapped of my 1929-1959 parts book which are the only references I've ever seen of the 56-59 top frame parts. Also fig 76 in the C1 Corvette repair manual may help. The L bracket is called "Brace Assy" in the parts book 14.340. You'll have to zoom in to see the #'s in the photos. It was used on all 56 to 59 tops, however the book calls out 56-58 as one part# pair, and 1st design & 2nd design for the 59 model year parts. I'm not sure when the changes happened in 59. I think the Noland Adams book talks about it.

As you may know, the difference between 56-59 and 60-62 tops & ws is the front frame to header area and header ws. 56-59 used an adjustment bolt and multi piece corner with a 1 piece ws from left forward side window ws to right, molded into the front header ws. The later 60-62 tops had a different frame corner, with separate front header ws, not attached to the front window upper side pieces. The side window ws on 56-59 used a molded in retainer with molded in studs to attach to the frame, cloth covered. The later used ws rubbers(not cloth covered) with separate flat metal retainer bars, and screws & t-nuts to attach.

See the links:

Hope it helps.......
Rich Mozzetta

[Steve H.]

Re: 1956 soft top

Roy and Rich,

Thanks for the response. It appears that the frame I have is correct. Any correct reproduction weatherstrip out there that you know of?

Steve

[Roy B.]

Re: 1956 soft top

None - nota - zip - No!

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 soft top

Steve,

I've never seen the real thing either. I'm restoring mine as I said but I have to fabricate my own corners and retrofit to the later type header weatherstrip. Here are a few photos of my progress so far. Note the end of the forward side ws. It's short by about 2". The originals had the header ws corners glued into the ends. You can see it in the previous photo I sent of Fig76 in the service guide and in Roy's photo of an original. There are also 2 flat metal inserts inside the foam(pictured) that a screw goes through to attach to the aluminum header bar at the corner. I'm going to fabricate the entire assembly and reinstall on my 59. 15 years ago I restored my folding top and replaced the ws with the newer type repros. I saved the original 6 side ws pieces and recovered with cloth and making them look new again. You can get the cloth from Steele Rubber Products. It's called bowdrill tape. You need 2 large size rolls for the task.

There also is an outfit that advertizes in the Driveline that offers repro side ws, but not the true assembly as original. Although, once installed, with the top latched down you can't see the difference. www.vettediamonds.com

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 soft top and Parts Prices in 1959

....added one more page from the 29-59 parts book showing the part #s for the different weatherstrip assemblies. I bet there are a few nos out there hidden away somewhere in a back room under piles of junk.....Checkout the price back in 59 for the side to side and front ws 3736161, $12.95! ...and they made money at that price! Gee I'd pay at least twice that if I could find one these days!:-)

Rich

[Terry D.]

Re: 1956 soft top

Steve

Did you try Al Knoch Interiors? Call and talk to Dale, he will know if they have what you want.
Terry