Kennedy pattern - Knoch Tops??

[Mike G.]

What's the latest on this continuing saga? Has Al finally corrected the dimensional issues with his midyear tops per JK's inputs?

Would much appreciate hearing from anyone who's installed a Knoch C2 top very recently.

[Gene M.]

Re: Kennedy pattern - Knoch Tops??

Did two this past summer. They both were to small. Look way too short on sides and too tight on the bows. They were as tight as a banjo string. Not at all correct. Well, I was not satisfied and neither was the guys that owned the cars. I will refuse to do another top unless they are fixing the pattern.

I talked to Kennedy about the problem around last July. Guess the issue still remains..........

[Kevin M.]

Re: Kennedy pattern - Knoch Tops??

Did you buy an AK top only? you have to specify Kennedy top when ordering I have heard nothing but good reports from the Kennedy top pattern.

KM

[Gene M.]

Re: Kennedy pattern - Knoch Tops??

When I talked to Kennedy(last summer) he said that Knoch did not cut the pattern as he supplied the information for it to be cut.

Anybody have 1st hand experience installing a top that does indeed fit correctly? I would assume this information would have been shared long ago if a correct mid year or solid axle soft top was now in the hands of NCRS guys......... multi angle photos of it installed?

[Joe R.]

Re: Kennedy pattern - Knoch Tops??

Let's see if I understand this correct?

Al Knock has been making tops for at least 30 years and NOW they are too small.

The Kennedy Cut is some revolutionary top that makes them fit perfect.

Many of us have watched Al Knock himself and his top man put on tops at shows that fit perfect.

Al Knock doesn't want to improve his top fit BUT he will supply anyone with the Kennedy cut if they ask for it when ordering a top.

Is this the way I understand this?

Enlighten Please!

JR

[Bill C.]

Re: Kennedy pattern - Knoch Tops??

I just had a Knoch top installed (65) by a pro and he said it fit fine to install. I warned Al's guy Dale that when it arrived I was going to have the installer inspect it and he had any doubts it would go back. When ordering from Dale I asked for a Kennedy pattern and was told they had dicarded the old patterns and all tops are now Kennedy patterns. Hope this helps but I would still request it be from a Kennedy Pattern. Bill #20328

[Michael D.]

Re: Kennedy pattern - Knoch Tops??

I have installed at least 4 Al Knoch midyear tops this past summer and had no issues with not fitting properly. Is the problem with the fit over the driver/ passenger side windows? If so the front corners need to be pulled tighter. All the Cars top flighted without any top fit issues. They do fit tight but you won't have any wrinkles. Mike D

[Loren L.]

Re: Kennedy pattern - Knoch Tops??

I don't understand why this question is being asked here on this board where you will only get third/fourth/fifth hand replies - John Kennedy's contact is listed on the inside page of the Corvette Restorer and Al Knoch is not hard to communicate with - call both during normal business hours and get information that is accurate as of December 22, 2008. You do NOT have to WORK AT MAKING THINGS THIS HARD!!

[Gene M.]

Re: Kennedy pattern - Knoch Tops??

Mike, Do you have photos of the installs. The area above the entire length over the side windows is a major issue. Knoch tops in this area have been too short. I would be interested to see what yours ended up looking like. Also the entire top fits too tight on the soft top frame. Most NCRS judges don't know the difference of how a top should fit along the tops of the windows and not be so tight. Therefore it is not deducted for on the judging sheets. I just want a top that fits correctly regardless if NCRS accepts the ill fitting tops available in the past or not.

[Troy P.]

Re: Kennedy pattern - Knoch Tops??

I like that line of thinking that it's not just about judging. Judging is far from perfect to be the only standard.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Kennedy pattern - Knoch Tops??

Gene,

Here's an original top showing the fit over the side windows, for reference:





Not mine, this is George Weaver's 67 from the 2007 Boston National.

[Mike M.]

Re: Kennedy pattern - Knoch Tops??

I talked to Dale about 2 months ago about getting a Kennedy pattern top for a 63. He said no problem just talk to him when I was ready to order and they would make one if thats what I wanted.

[Mike M.]

Re: Kennedy pattern - Knoch Tops??

One of the issues has been with the windlaces,
Front: size, material (vinyl), proper alignment and the "End Tuck"...refer to Jerry's Pics as the TFP that judges expect to see.
Rear: proper material (vinyl)and the length from the seam to the "Arrowhead", usually too short.
HaND

[Gerard F.]

Re: Kennedy pattern - Knoch Tops??

Mike,

Actually, the difference in grain pattern for the front windlace and rear wireon with the top material, shows up a lot more on a black top than a white one.

Oh that smile:






Again, George Weaver's 67, not mine.

[Alan D.]

Re: Kennedy pattern - Knoch Tops??

As mentioned the front windlace is just tooo fat - have attached photo of original top.

Caution on the rear wireon section also. It seems that the 64 (may also include 63 and 65) is expected (by judging) to be longer than original.
Ran into a guy who got hit on his top as being to short, so he purchased a longer wireon and installed that. You guessed it - next show it was tooo long, but now he has hole in the middle of the top. So take some time and determine how long the wireon should be for your year.
Now Knoch has been made aware of these problems so a fix may be in.