'61 convertible tops by Electron

[John G.]

I've tentatively selected a local company to install a new convertible top on my '61 on my quest for Top Flight. They prefer to install tops made by Electron Top Manufacturing. What has been the recent experience of others with flight judging with tops made by this company?

[Don H.]

Re: '61 convertible tops by Electron

Sorry, I haven't heard of them. I prefer Al Knock. They have a "John Kennedy" cut that is supposed to be the most correct. Good luck, Don H.

[Frank D.]

Re: '61 convertible tops by Electron

Never ever heard of that outfit. Why on earth would go with a shop that uses a product few know ?
You are not that far from Rich Mozzetta - a world class C1 restorer or Mike Coletta up by me who can get you distributor price on an Al Knoch rag and has installed, what, 100s of these tops.....like my '61...

[Leif A.]

Re: '61 convertible tops by Electron

Sorry, I haven't heard of them. I prefer Al Knock. They have a "John Kennedy" cut that is supposed to be the most correct. Good luck, Don H.

Don,
Just an FYI...a friend recently ordered a new convertible top for his '65 and asked for the "Kennedy" cut and was told that they (Al Knoch) no longer make that style of top. I was sitting there with him when he had the rep on the phone.

[Richard M.]

Re: '61 convertible tops by Electron

Don,Leif, The Kennedy top is the same material but it's cut a little wider and longer for easier installation. The standard cuts leave the sides a tad high at the ends of the doors and not much material at the header. Novice installers may have issues with proper fit with the standard top. I have not used a Kennedy cut top. IIRC, Melissa at AK Interiors told me the name came from their customer that requested the differently cut material size.

John, I have never heard of that manufacturer, and my guess is that the installer gets the best price from them so they can get the best mark-up. I just went to their website and see their catalog. They make tops for scores of manufacturers.
http://www.electrontop.com./files/catalog-715.pdf

Go to page 35 in their catalog for Corvette. $458 plus $36 for "Special Pads with black lining(as factory supplied) for a '61 Corvette rag seems really high to me, and I'd imagine that's what the installer would jot down on the invoice. I see no "special" reference regarding black lining in the Pad Pages as specified. Inside black material is standard on a '61 top, any color. Also, I may be mistaken as I don't have my JG's in front of me, but I think they may be in error on the rear window attachment methods on some of their tops, sticthed versus sealed.

Also, I just noticed page 33, a picture of their GM1880 top on a '58. The installer of that top got the hide-em strip wrong. The end tips should end approximately in line with the horizontal top height of the side windows. They put the tips right over the rear window side straps. Their historian should have caught that before publication.



It should be more like this....




Rich

[Frank D.]

Re: '61 convertible tops by Electron

Thanks for wading in Rich, didn't meant to volunteer you for unsolicited work but we've both met John at Lakeland and know his nice '61.
I just didn't want him going down a long dark lonely road with no end using an installer and possibly a product that wouldn't meet his judging desires...

[Chuck G.]

Re: '61 convertible tops by Electron

I know nothing of Electron tops, but if you're going for Top Flight, Al Knoch can provide a proper stamped logo in the rear window as well as a proper stamped date. He also includes the "care of the soft top" tag.

[Richard M.]

Re: '61 convertible tops by Electron

BTW John, either their catalog is wrong, or their top is wrong, with regard to the 58-60 rear window. It says heat sealed. It should be stitched. You may want to call them and check yourself before you commit to anything and verify the '61 rear window attach method.

Thanks for wading in Rich, didn't meant to volunteer you for unsolicited work but we've both met John at Lakeland and know his nice '61.
I just didn't want him going down a long dark lonely road with no end using an installer and possibly a product that wouldn't meet his judging desires...

I thought he was going to sell it to that couple we saw at Lakeland 2 years ago.... (Just kiddin' John, but that was a great story)

I know nothing of Electron tops, but if you're going for Top Flight, Al Knoch can provide a proper stamped logo in the rear window as well as a proper stamped date. He also includes the "care of the soft top" tag.

Chuck, On page 35 in that Electron catalog they show the sewn-in tag and the optional dating option. Regardless, I agree and recommend Al Knoch soft top products.

===
Rich

[John G.]

Re: '61 convertible tops by Electron

I just a got a reply from them and they only date code the year which doesn't tie to the TIM&JG. I don't know about other intricacies that may not be correct. I was impressed by the installer which is why I wanted to check out Electron.

I'll figure out my best option. I do know that I need to do a lot of cleaning and painting on the frame (and likely some parts replacement) before the top can go back on after I strip it off. Oh well.